With the downturn in the economy, many people are looking for innovative ideas of things they can do to start their own business with what they have at hand. For many people, doing something they love makes sense and is a good starting place to figure out what to do as a home-based business. If you love to cook and do things in the kitchen, you might think that starting a small business from you own kitchen is a good idea.

Food Production Business

There are many types of food production businesses that can be very successful, especially if you are a good cook and are passionate about food. Martha Stewart is a great example of someone who took her passion for food and turned it into an extremely successful enterprise. Whether you are considering baking cookies or starting a full-fledged catering business, here are some basic things to consider before embarking on this kind of home-based business.

Government Regulations – In most areas, you will need special permits to sell food products prepared at home. Contact your local health department to find out if you need to have any special kitchen equipment or have an entirely separate area for food preparation. This alone might discourage you from using your own kitchen for your business. Alternatives to using your own kitchen include renting space in a community kitchen, which is required to maintain health department food preparation codes.

Food Preparation Certification – In addition to regulations regarding where you prepare your food, most regions also require you to be certified to handle food. This will apply to you and anyone you hire to help you handle food.

Handmade Soap Business

If you do not want to prepare food, but have an interest in kitchen chemistry you might consider making soap. You can easily find the ingredients to make soap from online sources and it is fairly easy to make at home in small batches. There is a good market for homemade soap and other natural products and with the right marketing, you can turn it into a successful enterprise.

Research Recipes – There are many good sources for soap recipes online. Decide if you want to make cold-processed or melt-and-pour soap. Cold-processed soap is a bit more involved, but it is something you can make completely from scratch. Melt-and-pour soap requires you to purchase an already-made base, which you then melt and add ingredients such as fragrance.

Purchase Equipment – In all likelihood you probably already have most of the equipment you will need. The basic equipment needed to make soap includes stainless steel cook pans, glass bowls and measuring cups, non-wood stirring spoons, digital scale, candy thermometer, protective gloves, protective eye wear, wax paper and a glass pan to pour the soap into.

Home Business Basics

Regardless of what kind of home-based business you decide to start, there are some basic things you will need to take care of first. You will need to apply for and get an employer tax identification number. You can find the application for this and submit it through the IRS website.

You will also need to get a business license and register your business. Contact your local city hall to find out what fees are required for a business license and if your state requires you to register your business.

You will also need to consider how you will finance your enterprise. While many home-based businesses do not require a tremendous amount of money, you should work up a budget that includes costs for things like equipment, ingredients, insurance, packaging materials, transportation costs, shipping costs, marketing costs and any other expenses you might incur. For most businesses, it is a good idea to have a minimum of three to six months of expenses set aside to get up and running.

You will also need to contact an accountant to determine any tax repercussions you may incur with a home-based business. They can also help you set up your books and keep track of your expenses and payments.

Running a business from home can be a very rewarding experience. It allows you to set your own work schedule and have control over your life in ways working for someone else does not provide. If you love making things in your kitchen, consider using it as a source to create your own business enterprise and make your own income. 

Isaac is a blogger and home improvements guru working for Cliq Studios, Cliq’ are a kitchen cabinets specialist who design, manufacture and sell the finest oak, maple and cherry kitchen cabinets. Cliqs' easy to use website can help visualise your new kitchen!