Members Giddry Posted March 5, 2009 Members Share Posted March 5, 2009 Another off-topic post. I apologize and promise an on-topic post about my awesome new rig soon. (Moving to a smaller apt. means new/smaller rig and it's gonna be sa-weeeet!) ANYWAY...my off topicness continues. In my flu-riddled days I've needed something to do and I've been exploring an employment avenue I've been thinking about for a good long while now. I've been contemplating opening a home-based baking business from my new apartment. I know I've got to check zoning ordinances with the neighborhood (There's a childcare center next door...does that mean I should be okay?) and because it's baked goods I'm under the Dept. of Agriculture instead of dept of health for my inspections. What I would like to know is...WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO KNOW? I'm so new to this it's ridiculous. If anyone has any idea of what the hell I'm talking about please help and tell me if I'm on the right track and what else needs to be done. I appreciate your help in advance! Thanks! -Giddry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members RSBro Posted March 5, 2009 Members Share Posted March 5, 2009 Another off-topic post. I apologize and promise an on-topic post about my awesome new rig soon. (Moving to a smaller apt. means new/smaller rig and it's gonna be sa-weeeet!) ANYWAY...my off topicness continues. In my flu-riddled days I've needed something to do and I've been exploring an employment avenue I've been thinking about for a good long while now. I've been contemplating opening a home-based baking business from my new apartment. I know I've got to check zoning ordinances with the neighborhood (There's a childcare center next door...does that mean I should be okay?) and because it's baked goods I'm under the Dept. of Agriculture instead of dept of health for my inspections. What I would like to know is...WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO KNOW? I'm so new to this it's ridiculous. If anyone has any idea of what the hell I'm talking about please help and tell me if I'm on the right track and what else needs to be done. I appreciate your help in advance! Thanks! -Giddry Ok, what exactly are you trying to do here? Sorry. I can tell you from a tax perspective purty easy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members AluminumNeck Posted March 5, 2009 Members Share Posted March 5, 2009 Call your local goverment and check zonning requirements and variances. Usually bussiness under a certian volume in the home are acceptable others are not. As for the health services questions. Call that department responasable and have an honest conversation anonymously with a representitive there and ask about any permits,fillings etc and requirements. Production of baked goods could be classed as manufacturing requring alot of forethough and procedure. Another off-topic post. I apologize and promise an on-topic post about my awesome new rig soon. (Moving to a smaller apt. means new/smaller rig and it's gonna be sa-weeeet!) ANYWAY...my off topicness continues. In my flu-riddled days I've needed something to do and I've been exploring an employment avenue I've been thinking about for a good long while now. I've been contemplating opening a home-based baking business from my new apartment. I know I've got to check zoning ordinances with the neighborhood (There's a childcare center next door...does that mean I should be okay?) and because it's baked goods I'm under the Dept. of Agriculture instead of dept of health for my inspections. What I would like to know is...WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO KNOW? I'm so new to this it's ridiculous. If anyone has any idea of what the hell I'm talking about please help and tell me if I'm on the right track and what else needs to be done. I appreciate your help in advance! Thanks! -Giddry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Giddry Posted March 5, 2009 Author Members Share Posted March 5, 2009 Ok, what exactly are you trying to do here? It's basically going to be a home bakery. I'm targeting busy moms (for birthday parties, holiday baking, dinner parties) and anyone who wants something INCREDIBLY tasty (I'm a damn good cook.) I'm also looking at marketing to local businesses (grocery stores, bake shops, etc...) I think my main modes of selling will be online and local. That's the plan for right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators ThudMaker Posted March 5, 2009 Moderators Share Posted March 5, 2009 You need to be set up as an LLC/Sub S Corp if you want some legal protections. Also, insurances. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Giddry Posted March 5, 2009 Author Members Share Posted March 5, 2009 Call your local goverment and check zonning requirements and variances. Usually bussiness under a certian volume in the home are acceptable others are not. As for the health services questions. Call that department responasable and have an honest conversation anonymously with a representitive there and ask about any permits,fillings etc and requirements. Production of baked goods could be classed as manufacturing requring alot of forethough and procedure. Zoning requirement just came back to me and I'm fine. Health stuff is by the dept. of agriculture and I just need to pass an inspection (which they say is not very strict for my type of business) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Giddry Posted March 5, 2009 Author Members Share Posted March 5, 2009 You need to be set up as an LLC/Sub S Corp if you want some legal protections. Also, insurances. What about Sole Proprietorship? Insurance is a definite need and I've looked into that as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members RSBro Posted March 5, 2009 Members Share Posted March 5, 2009 You need to be set up as an LLC/Sub S Corp if you want some legal protections. Also, insurances. Gotcha. Well for starters (and to what Thud said) I personally would front the cash if you have it and run everything through Quickbooks. It's easy to learn, use, etc., and you can keep track of your bills and receivables and all that mess. As far as recordkeeping goes, know that during an IRS audit (always good to be prepared if/when, as they're coming after you small business owners) their first step is your bank account(s). Even for a business like this I recommend a new small business account with your local bank. Keeps things nice and tidy. Get or use a dba for now. An LLC/S-corp provides "some" protection in the case of a lawsuit, but it's easy to "pierce the veil" if you're the sole member. I would report on Sch. C for now anyway until you make money; then form an entity to reduce S-E tax. If you keep up with your bank account and accounting software (or just use Excel- it's free, quick and easy) just keep your receipts organized by month if you ever need them. Usually a bank account + some type of ledger/spreadsheet will more than suffice for proof/backup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Hotblack Posted March 5, 2009 Members Share Posted March 5, 2009 What about Sole Proprietorship? Insurance is a definite need and I've looked into that as well. Look into filing a DBA (Doing Business As). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members walkerci Posted March 5, 2009 Members Share Posted March 5, 2009 Are you sure you want to set up business in NYC or even NY State for that matter? You have to work twice as hard to make half the money. The gov't red tape and regs are ridiculous.Then there are the City and State income taxes. BTW, there are a LOT of illegal child care operations in big cities.Don't assume that they have the landlord's permission, permits and licenses, insurance, required training, or pay there people "over the table". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Giddry Posted March 5, 2009 Author Members Share Posted March 5, 2009 Gotcha. Well for starters (and to what Thud said) I personally would front the cash if you have it and run everything through Quickbooks. It's easy to learn, use, etc., and you can keep track of your bills and receivables and all that mess. As far as recordkeeping goes, know that during an IRS audit (always good to be prepared if/when, as they're coming after you small business owners) their first step is your bank account(s). Even for a business like this I recommend a new small business account with your local bank. Keeps things nice and tidy. Get or use a dba for now. An LLC/S-corp provides "some" protection in the case of a lawsuit, but it's easy to "pierce the veil" if you're the sole member. I would report on Sch. C for now anyway until you make money; then form an entity to reduce S-E tax. If you keep up with your bank account and accounting software (or just use Excel- it's free, quick and easy) just keep your receipts organized by month if you ever need them. Usually a bank account + some type of ledger/spreadsheet will more than suffice for proof/backup. Thank you! I'm really looking forward to jumping into this. It's scary but exciting at the same time. I hadn't even thought of the small business account idea. Good thought. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators ThudMaker Posted March 5, 2009 Moderators Share Posted March 5, 2009 What about Sole Proprietorship? Insurance is a definite need and I've looked into that as well.RSB would be able to help you from an accounting standpoint what the advantages/disadvantages are. As for legal matters, maybe kindness can shed some light on those differences between sole proprietorship/LLC. I'm not an expert at either, but my wife's home based business is incorporated. Whatever route you choose, I wish you the best! edit: Thanks RSB. That's the type of info I was hoping you would add to my post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Hotblack Posted March 5, 2009 Members Share Posted March 5, 2009 Remember, cupcakes are all the rage in NYC.http://cupcakestakethecake.blogspot.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Giddry Posted March 5, 2009 Author Members Share Posted March 5, 2009 RSB would be able to help you from an accounting standpoint what the advantages/disadvantages are. As for legal matters, maybe kindness can shed some light on those differences between sole proprietorship/LLC. I'm not an expert at either, but my wife's home based business is incorporated. Whatever route you choose, I wish you the best! Thank you so much! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members RSBro Posted March 5, 2009 Members Share Posted March 5, 2009 RSB would be able to help you from an accounting standpoint what the advantages/disadvantages are. As for legal matters, maybe kindness can shed some light on those differences between sole proprietorship/LLC. I'm not an expert at either, but my wife's home based business is incorporated. Whatever route you choose, I wish you the best! I wasn't discounting what you said at all, so don't take it that way. Usually we always encourage people to form an entity so that if/when it becomes profitable, you have that separation of "Giddry's House of Goods" and "Giddry personally". But at this point b/c of costs and time involved to actually setup or use a SM (single-member) LLC or S-corp, versus what she's likely to make from a profit/loss standpoint the first year or two, a sole-prop may be best for now. Also, legal ramifications from an IRS/tax standpoint vs. a legal/litigious standpoint are probably very different; I just know from the former, your "entity" doesn't always matter, especially those that flow-through all profits/losses to you personally anyhow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Giddry Posted March 5, 2009 Author Members Share Posted March 5, 2009 Remember, cupcakes are all the rage in NYC. http://cupcakestakethecake.blogspot.com/ My chocolate cherry cola cupcakes are amazing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators ThudMaker Posted March 5, 2009 Moderators Share Posted March 5, 2009 I wasn't discounting what you said at all, so don't take it that way. It's all good. I was hoping you'd post up that info. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Giddry Posted March 5, 2009 Author Members Share Posted March 5, 2009 Y'all are wonderful. And I hereby give all my advice givers a discount on my first official batch of chocolate cherry cola cupcakes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members RSBro Posted March 5, 2009 Members Share Posted March 5, 2009 Y'all are wonderful. And I hereby give all my advice givers a discount on my first official batch of chocolate cherry cola cupcakes! Which is of course, deductible under "Goodwill" or "Advertising!" I prefer the latter! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Giddry Posted March 5, 2009 Author Members Share Posted March 5, 2009 I'm starting a list of all the things I need to do to get ready to do this. I'm still stuck actually...I can't think of a name! (Which I need to fill out a lot of the paperwork) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members WillPlay4food Posted March 5, 2009 Members Share Posted March 5, 2009 Giddry's home baked goods. I want to know when you start selling those choco cherry cola cupcakes so I can order a batch! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members lokidecat Posted March 5, 2009 Members Share Posted March 5, 2009 *hipster eye roll* Cupcakes are so 2008:rolleyes::p:p:p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members T. Alan Smith Posted March 5, 2009 Members Share Posted March 5, 2009 My chocolate cherry cola cupcakes are amazing. After reading all the legal mumbo jumbo, this made me LOL. Seriously, great thread. Starting my own Brokerage house has crossed my mind, and with the job market being what it is, if I ever loose my job here, I just might make that jump. ...and all the best to you, Gid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members t3ch Posted March 5, 2009 Members Share Posted March 5, 2009 Giddry's House of Painstries? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members NineMinuteNap Posted March 5, 2009 Members Share Posted March 5, 2009 Giddry's Gourmet Goodies ? (trying to make myself an advice giver so I can get the cupcake discount!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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