Start a 'cottage industry'... official MoneySavingExpert.com discussion

ILoveSaving

Hi Finefoot

I am currently looking into doing the same thing, but more of a continual year round thing. Having to sort all the legalities at the moment, CRB check, council permission (because of extra traffic in my street), checking home insurance & mortgage agreement (gaining consent if no permission for this). Then will have to have public liability insurance etc, before lesson planning and marketing, oh and putting together a website. I have a long list and just working through it. If I manage to get the go ahead I'll be a bit shell shocked. Keep expecting one of them to turn round and say no to me. Also because of the new diability access law, having to look into this too.

But you never get anywhere if we dont try? Let me know how you get on.

Finefoot

Having a discussion with someone later today. Thanks for your pointers!

bevan840

redsadie wrote: »

Hi Jimmy, I've been baking for years, just family and friends, and recently have been asked more and more about baking on a more commercial basis. I have a conservatory going to waste as I used to run my salon business from there, but now I'm in a salon I have a spare room and I hate anything going to waste! So, as I have a dog, I decided as this room has a door which can be closed, I'd set up my mixing/decorating from here. The actual baking part will still take place in my home kitchen oven until I can either get a cheap one or one from a freecycl-er.

I got my hygiene cert online, I need to get insurance which I'm looking into from a recommendation from someone on here and I have a kind friend donating work tops as they are redesigning their kitchen so once that's installed, I'll get EHO in to inspect. As long as the decor is in good condition and the floor is cleanable, I have separate facilities and the dog doesn't come in the room, I should be good.

I have a double sink in my home kitchen for cleaning up and hand washing, and I also have a dishwasher, but again, I'm hoping to get one (sink) from either the local recycling center (formerly known as the tip, lol) or again freecycle.

As far as I'm aware I don't have to label anything I sell but I think I will to be on the safe side, all it will say is eggs, sugar, milk, flour and butter though, No artificial stuff in my baking! I will discuss this with EHO when I get them round though and will update here, but I know each authority is different.

I'm going to sell via word of mouth, building it up slowly and improving my decorating skills, then I hope to be able to implement classes held in my kitchenservatory for people to be able to make and decorate their own cakes and hold cake topper classes too.



Hi Bobby, I have made up a Word doc with everything I've sorted along with pictures. I put on Facebook I was doing this and had a couple of enquiries from this, just waiting on one lady in particular to look at it on her laptop as she can
t view it properly on her Iphone. Whatever doesn't sell I'll re advertise on FB, then probably Ebid or local advertising in newsagents. After that, I have no idea!

xx

What is your facebook page hun? I've been making jewellery for over a year now and recently started up a bead business on the side xxx

[Deleted User]

A lot of traders at Craft Fairs obtain their product & public liability insurance from CMTIA (Combined Market Traders Insurance Association) ... costs about £48/per annum.

craftier

I used to get my product & public liability insurance from GM Imber approx £50, but they ask for an extra £100 for insurance for craft teachers, so I get it from Ian Wallace which it's about £70 but where teaching is included. The only problem with this is that they won't insure me to sell items that I haven't made - so I think when I sell plants I won't be covered expecially as I sell a lot of bought in items at the same time. I thought it would be cheaper to get seperate cover for this and CMTIA looks good. Although I see one exclusion says "not including items sold from mobile vehicles" - does anyone know if that includes Car Boot sales?

mypie

Hi all,

Been having a read over your posts and its so nice to see all your ideas, input and experiences.

So my situation is I am a mum of one, work 3 days a week and have nights to myself as hubby works. I am creative and almost always make and design my own things as I can never see what suits in shops etc. I have recently designed and made all stationary, sweetie buffet and post box for our wedding. I received lots of compliments from arty friends at how good it all looked and tied in with my theme. I was recently a guest at a wedding and on the hunt for a head piece but couldn't see what I wanted to suit my outfit so I made one from material, card, feathers and beads I had in the house. I had compliments from alot of guests about my fascinatior and saying it really looked well and that I should make them for ££.

I am basically on here wondering is this even a viable profit making business? I am not wanting to be the next branson but a little pocket money would be fabulous to our family as I have had my hours cut and bills are rising for everyone.

Is ebay a more costly way of selling? What other avenues would you suggest and where do I even start?

Many thanks Pie

lincroft1710

mypie wrote: »

I am basically on here wondering is this even a viable profit making business?

Which will totally depend on cost to make and distribute, realistic selling price, desirability of product, target market plus any advertising or awareness costs. Plus the time you honestly spend doing all of this. You will also have to pay income tax on your earnings if/when you exceed your personal allowance.

Your friends may well like what you make, but will customers see your products as arty/crafty or homemade tat (no offence intended).

Can you research and then test the market without investing too much time/money to see if it is viable.

Finally, remember that even if you make a profit, if it works out at £2 or £3 an hour, that's well below national minimum wage.

JimmyTheWig

lincroft1710 wrote: »

Finally, remember that even if you make a profit, if it works out at £2 or £3 an hour, that's well below national minimum wage.

£2 an hour whilst looking after your own child is more than a parent would make on minimum wage if they had to pay a childminder.

lincroft1710

JimmyTheWig wrote: »

£2 an hour whilst looking after your own child is more than a parent would make on minimum wage if they had to pay a childminder.

Don't disagree with this, but OP asked about viability and I got the impression she is hoping for a reasonable return for her labour.

SuzH1

Had an idea about wooden crafts today - not actually cutting pieces of wood, but decorating plain wooden shapes - gift tags, door signs, name plates, etc.
I'm looking for a craft supplies shop in my region but when I look online for wholesalers, they all seem to be online shops. Does anyone know of any craft supply wholesales in the North West of England, where I can actually go into and browse? Preston, Blackburn, Keighley, Harrogate etc