How to Start a Candy Bouquet Business

If you want to be your own boss, work your own hours and love to make candy bouquets, you might consider starting a candy bouquet business. Candy bouquets are great for celebrations, holidays and big events. Here are a few tips on how you can start a candy bouquet business.

Things You'll Need

• Business plan
• Financing
• Candy bouquet samples
• Portfolio or brochures
• Website

Instructions

1. Come up with a name for your business. Choose something that will catch the customer’s attention and make sure the it hasn’t already been taken by another business.

2. Write up a business plan. In your business plan, say what service or goods your business offers, what its goals for growth are and how you plan to meet those goals. Include the name and location of your business, if financing is needed, and how you will help your business succeed. You will need a business plan when applying for financing.

3. Go to your local bank to get financing. Take your business plan with you; anybody who is willing to invest in your business want to know will want to know details about it. Give each investor a copy of your business plan.

4. Obtain a business license. Contact your state business licensing department to find out the requirements for obtaining a business license. In some states, you are required to fill out a form and pay a fee. In other states, a form, fee and test are required.

5. Find a location for your shop. You will need retail space to sell your bouquets and preparation space to put the bouquets together. You will also need storage space in your shop to store the candy bouquet supplies. Put samples around the shop. You’ll also need a telephone, computer, cash register, tables, chairs and a sign with your business’ name to put outside the shop. You may also want to sell additional items such as individual suckers, candy bars and other small goodies.

6. Hire employees to help you put together the candy bouquets and take orders, especially when sales go up during holidays and major events such as graduations. Your employees can help you put together sample candy bouquets, decorate the shop, deliver candy bouquets and take orders.

7. Create a portfolio and brochures with pictures of all the different types of candy bouquets available. Each picture should include a name, description and price. Create a brochure or flyer to hand out to local colleges, businesses and neighborhoods.

8. Set up a website yourself or hire someone to do it for you. On your website, to include your business name, location and phone number. Also include the choices of candy bouquets available, along with descriptions and prices. Provide the option for the customer to order and pay for the bouquet through the website. Offer shipping to those ordering from outside the area so as increase your sales.

Tips & Warnings

• It will be hard to do the business all by yourself, so hire 1 or 2 employees to help take and fill the candy bouquet orders.