How to Start a Cake Decorating Business in Texas

Open a cake decorating business in Texas to share your culinary passion.

People purchase birthday cakes, wedding cakes and personalized made-to-order cakes from pastry chefs or decorators trained in the delicate art of baking and design. Whether you are a seasoned pastry chef or a self-taught baker, decorating different types of cakes allows you to express your culinary creativity through a variety of flavors, colors, textures and patterns. Starting your own cake decorating business in a Texas town or city can be a challenging and rewarding business venture.

Things You'll Need

• Business Plan
• Retail space
• Cake decorating supplies/equipment
• Business Permit
• Fliers
• Coupons

Instructions

1. Write a business plan that describes your cake decorating business, market analysis and strategy, estimated financial costs, estimated profits and management techniques. Present your business plan to potential investors and banks to secure financial backing and start your business.

2. Hire a commercial realtor to help you find a vacant space to rent or purchase for your cake decorating business. Consider a highly populated city in Texas that will provide a high-traffic location for your cake decorating business, such as Austin, Dallas, San Antonio or Houston. Look for a retail facility with enough space for multiple employees to efficiently bake and decorate a high volume of cake orders.

3. Order wholesale baking and decorating supplies from vendors, such as baking ingredients, large mixers, refrigerators, butcher blocks and cake decorating tools.

4. File your business name with the state of Texas. Contact the IRS agency, the Comptroller of Public Accounts and the Texas Workforce Commission located in Austin, Texas to meet Texas state, federal and local business tax requirements.

5. Apply for a Retail Food Operation and Retail Food Establishment Permit through the Texas Department of State Health Services. Pay the required permit fees online and print your receipt to meet Texas small business operation guidelines.

6. Hire experienced employees that can help you bake, decorate and sell cakes, such as pastry chefs, culinary students and cashiers. Train all employees in equipment safety and delegate tasks to ensure smooth business operations.

7. Place advertisements in local newspapers and purchase air time on radio stations in your Texas city or town to introduce your cake decorating business to the community. Print fliers and post them at community centers, college campuses, libraries, coffee shops and grocery stores to advertise the grand opening of your cake decorating store.

8. Organize a grand opening weekend that includes free cake samples and cake decorating demonstrations to attract new customers. Give out discount coupons for first-time cake orders and referrals to help increase your potential client base.

References

• EntrepreneurBusiness: Outline for a Successful Business Plan
• The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania: A Bean Cake Maker Combines Sound Strategy with Business Savvy to Manage Her Firm's Fast Growth
• The State of Texas Office of the Governor: Business Tax Responsibilities
• State of Texas: Retail Food Operation and Retail Food Establishment Permit