Help needed on starting biz up

goodgy

Hi I am wanting to start up an online business selling sweats/fudge online and are unsure exactly where to start I have some really good recipe ideas and have some knowledge of web design be it basic but that’s about it .Also could I get government grants/loans, any help would be most appreciated Michael

wigglebeena

Can't remember the correct terminology but if you're making food yourself you'll need approved kitchen facilities. I'd phone your local council and Business Link, they will have the info.

I believe you can sometimes rent space in an 'approved' kitchen (rather than making yours over to exacting standards).

Horace

There are no grants and you will be lucky to find a bank that is willing to lend to a small business (we are all in the same boat on that score).

Contact business link as they can give you free business advice and contact your local council - you will need the environmental health dept as you need to have an approved kitchen and maybe you need to study for a food hygiene certificate.

paulwf

OP could you tell us exactly what you require the grant/loan for? Couldn't you start up on a small scale to test the water then build it up from there? I would think that basic equipment, ingredients and packaging wouldn't set you back more than £100.

The best way by far to start up online is on Ebay, fees are high so it might not be a long term strategy but you will get so much more exposure than you would through your own website. Building up a client base through your own website will be your hardest challenge your business faces.

The first step is to do research. What is your competition and how will you beat them? You can then do some costings to check if you can sell for a realistic price and still make a profit...control of your cost of ingredients is vital in catering.

If you want to take the idea further do a 1 day food hygiene course (ask your local college, they are around £50 ex VAT) and go on the free Business Link courses. You can then get your kitchen checked by the local environmental health dept and start selling on Ebay.

A few years back there was a regular on the Ebay powerseller boards who sold just fudge on Ebay so there is a demand. However your big problem is going to be p&p costs, food is heavy so expensive to send. It is also hard to get customers to have confidence in buying food from you over the internet. Personally I would target farmers markets and craft fairs, especially around events such as Valentines Day and Easter. That way you can make one big batch and sell it in a day rather than having to keep making small batches and taking trips to the post office.

As always you need a unique selling point (USP), what will yours be?