If you’ve always dreamt of owning a bakery but have been deterred by the scale and cost of operations, then consider starting small. A micro bakery may be the perfect venture for you. But first, what is a micro bakery?
A micro bakery operates on a much smaller scale than a traditional bakery, often from home or a small commercial space. It usually caters to local customers through direct sale or pre-orders and is perfect for someone who wants to turn their passion for baking into a profitable business. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to start a microbakery from scratch.
The Prep Work
1. Understand the Market
Before you start investing time, energy, and money, the first step is to carry out a thorough market analysis. Identify potential customers and understand their preferences. Figure out what types of bread or baked goods are in demand and missing from your local market.
2. Develop Your Skills
To start a successful micro bakery, having proficient baking skills and/or hiring skilled bakers is crucial. The quality of your products will set you apart from the competition, so ensure you or your staff are able to deliver.
3. Set Your Budget
As with any business, setting a budget is critical. One of the many advantages of a micro bakery is reduced overhead costs but you should still plan for expenses such as ingredients, utilities, equipment, packaging, and licensing fees. For more information on the costs of starting a bakery, check out this blog.
4. Write a Business Plan
Your business plan should detail every aspect of your micro bakery. Include information about your target market, product line, pricing strategy, marketing approach, and financial projections. This document will be invaluable in tracking your progress.
5. Procure Equipment
Next, invest in the necessary equipment for your micro bakery. This typically includes mixing bowls, a high-quality oven, mixing tools, baking trays, and refrigeration units. Shop around to find the best deals as equipment can be a major cost.
6. Select Your Ingredients
The quality of your baked goods directly correlates to the quality of your ingredients. Look for wholesale suppliers who can deliver fresh ingredients regularly.
7. Organize Your Space
Efficiency is key in a bakery, more so for a micro bakery since the space is limited. Ensure all your equipment is within easy reach and that there’s enough room to work without feeling crowded.
8. Get Your Paperwork in Order
If you are running a micro bakery from home, you’ll need to abide by your local homemade food laws. These are often referred to as ‘cottage food laws, and they allow small home bakeries to operate without licenses. In some states, cottage bakeries are required to register with the local health department. There are usually limits on the amount of income you can make through a home bakery. A cottage food operation is the perfect business classification for a microbakery.
9. Set up shop on Airmart
Airmart is perfect for home bakers who want an efficient, streamlined way to manage orders. You can set up pre-ordering or on-demand delivery and pickup, easily open and close your shop when you’re not accepting orders, and promote your bakery using tools like livestreaming and flash deals.
10. Brand and Market Your Bakery
Creating a recognizable brand for your micro bakery is key for customer recall. Once you’ve determined your brand identity, it’s time to market your bakery. Utilize social media, local events, and word-of-mouth referrals.
Launching Your Micro Bakery
Once everything is in place, it’s time to open your micro bakery! Start with a limited product line and slowly add more varieties as your customer base grows.
11. Provide Excellent Customer Service
Ensure good customer service from the start. A happy customer is much more likely to become a regular and to recommend your bakery to others.
12. Attend Events
Get your micro bakery brand out there by selling your baked goods at events like festivals, farmers markets, and flea markets.
13. Get Ongoing Support from Airmart
You may be a solo entrepreneur, but you are not in this alone. The Airmart team is here to support you as you navigate your new micro bakery venture. We can provide marketing services and develop new shop features to help your business run smoothly.
Starting a micro bakery from scratch can seem complicated, but with the right planning, it can turn into a successful and satisfying venture. Remember to take each step at a time and make adjustments as required. With passion, hard work, and the delicious aroma of baked bread, your micro bakery will surely be a hit!