Starting one’s own business is often times the dream of a lifetime. A bakery can be quaint and it’s an area where you can demonstrate both your creativity and your exceptional talents… but getting started is daunting. The business scene is fast moving and seemingly relentless, but if you know the basic steps you’ll need to take, you can more properly prepare yourself for taking on your long dreamed of venture. Here is a very simple breakdown of the main steps you will need to take.

The first thing you need to decide is what kind of bakery you want to open. Do you want to offer general cakes and pastries, or do you want to narrow it down to something a little more specialized? If you’re not sure, some simple research online can point you in the right direction. When you have an idea, go ahead and write a business plan. You can find some very easy to use templates online that makes it more like filling in the blanks. It’s okay to change details later, just get started now.

After you write your first draft you can consider your space. Look both online and around your local area for spaces that meet your needs, and write down their contact information. Once you have that you can begin pricing your goods, plan your menu, and decide what other policies you want in place in running your business. Be original, do your research, and have everything outlined and ready to go when you are presenting to lenders. Be diligent in your pursuits for a loan, as this step can get lengthy. Each time you apply they may have a waiting period to go over all of the information. That is where having all of these steps documented as you go will be so important. If you are prepared you’ll feel prepared.