How to Operate a Home Bakery in Arizona
To start a home bakery in Arizona, you must follow state rules. You are required to register the business according to Arizona state laws, and abide by area health, food and safety laws. With a fully-equipped kitchen and baking knowledge, it is not difficult to start a home-based bakery. The costs are minimal (business license, home-based permit, health department inspection, and baking supplies).
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Instructions
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Name the business. Before you can register the business with the state of Arizona, you first have to choose a name. Choose a name that is not already in use and describes the type of baked goods you are selling. For example, if you specialize in breads, you may use the name "Arizona Daily Bread Bakery" or something similar. The Arizona secretary of state's website offers a searchable online database to check the availability of your business name.
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Contact the Arizona secretary of state's office. Let the representative know the business entity you are forming for the bakery business---sole proprietorship, corporation, partnership or limited liability company. There will be forms you need to complete and submit to register the business with the state. Each business entity has its own advantages for tax and recordkeeping purposes. You should consult a business attorney or tax consultant to determine which is most beneficial for you and your bakery. Forms typically include an application to register the business name, the name and complete contact information for the business contact and other documents, such as the Articles of Incorporation for a corporate entity, partnership agreement for a partnership and the operating agreement for an LLC.
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Contact the health and food inspector for your county in Arizona, and make an appointment for the inspector to visit your home bakery. The inspector ensures you are handling, preparing and storing the baked goods in a safe, clean and sanitary environment, and according to state health laws. Once you pass the inspection, the health inspector provides you with a certificate. Annual inspections are required to renew the certificate.
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Build a website to promote and sell your baked goods. Purchase a domain name that matches your business name, if possible. You can also add a shopping cart or order form to your website so customers can make purchases online.
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Contact the coordinators of area farmers' markets, restaurants and cafes. Call or visit local food businesses in your area that may be interested in buying your baked goods for use in their restaurants or in displaying your baked goods for sale on your behalf. Obtain information on being a vendor at the local farmers' markets so you can sell your baked goods directly to consumers. This also allows you to attach a business card or labels to your containers so customers can call or visit your website to buy your baked goods in the future.
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- Photo Credit gourmet cupcakes in elegant bakery image by nextrecord from Fotolia.com
