Ch-ch-ch changes

Things are moving and flowing in a different direction.... Something new is just over the horizon! Here's a little sneak peek:

Results

Well the preliminary market research isn't going so hot. Don't get me wrong, everyone has been very helpful, and any criticisms about the products themselves are mostly a matter of personal taste. I can handle that, and use it to improve my products. Unfortunately, the price point that people are willing to pay for this kind of product is way lower than I thought it would be. So low, in fact, that if this is an accurate sampling, I may have to change my business completely, in ways that don't make me happy. I wouldn't be able to use gourmet ingredients, in fact, I might have to resort to pre-manufactured mixes *shudder*.

Also on the bad news front, a small bakery in the area just shut down. Not the brand new German Bread one, but a little cupcake place just a couple miles away. This worries me. A lot. Add to that several restaurants and coffee houses that have gone out of business in the area and its all adding up to a picture that gives me cause to doubt a bit.

Market Research

So this week is going to be a lot about market research. Setting Andrew up to find me some datas down at the library about population levels, mean incomes, etc, etc... in the different areas of Las Vegas. I know I want my bakery in the Northwest section (partly because I am lazy and don't want to have to drive too far when I get up to go in at 4 in the morning, but mostly because I feel its the kind of area where residents are wealthy enough to support an indulgence based business like a bakery.) To prove my point on that account, there is a German Bread Bakery that opened quite nearby just recently. I'm keeping a close eye on their growth, although their business isn't exactly the same as what I want to do. (They don't serve coffee and tea, for one, but their pastries are very delicious!) I'm wondering if they would be willing to chat with me about what it took to open the bakery.... of course I can't make it sound like I'm going to be competing with them! >:)

The other half of market research this week is baking and testing. Sending some tasty treats in to work with Andrew, along with some printed surveys to ask people what they think. I figure they get free brownies, I get free input. Fair deal, right? Speaking of, if anyone in my area wants to be a taste tester for me, or if you know someone who does, feel free to email me, facebook me, or just leave a comment. I'll send you a baking schedule and when you can pick up your samples and questionnaire.

More Recipes

Typing out some of the recipes today for the business plan. I'm a little nervous about including the recipes, having dealt with stolen recipes before in my line of work, but in all honesty, if the people who will be reading my business plan wanted to start their own bakeries, why would I be going to them for funds to start mine? It's not like my recipes are going to be anything hugely groundbreaking anyway.. no molecular gastronomy for my humble bakeshop, tyvm.

Also, still recovering from oral surgery, with more to come. I really can't wait til this is over with and I can start taste testing recipes for myself again. :D

Mush.

Not a whole lot going to be accomplished this week, unfortunately. Recovering from some nasty oral surgery and reduced to eating nothing but smoothies and mashed potatoes. I'll try to compile some recipes between rounds of painkillers, but they'll probably need heavy editing later. xD

I miss Fluff.

So today was a "get away from sitting in front of the computer all day", recipe testing kind of day. That makes me happy. Tested out my first batch of Whoopie pies. They came out all right, but they will certainly need some adjustment. The cakes were a little dry, while the filling was a bit goopy. I'm going to go ahead and assume that the filling was off because I didn't use Marshmallow Fluff, but some "Marshmallow Creme" substitute junk I found at the store. ITS NOT REAL UNLESS ITS FLUFF, PEOPLE! >:(
Ahem. Anyway, took a couple pics for posterity (and profiles) and here's one for you. :)

To Froth or Not to Froth?

Having a hard time deciding if I want to bring the bakery into full-scale coffee shop territory... I've determined that it will cost about an extra $6,000 to fully outfit the place with a small espresso machine, bean grinder, extra dairy cooler, and all the other accessories demanded of a coffee joint. Is it worth the potential extra sales to spend that much more up front? Will it bring in extra sales or just sit in the corner and get dusty? Is it something I should plan for a future expansion instead? So many questions....

Business Planning

After a little break for my birthday weekend, its back to the grind. Today is equipment research day; listing all the equipment my bakery will need, plus where to find it and how much it costs. Internet research to start off, later on I may swing by the local restaurant supply store to compare prices.
Also, have to find out where and when local restaurant equipment auctions are held.

One Step

"The journey of a thousand miles starts with one step."

Never before has this Arab proverb seemed so true to me. I have started my journey of a thousand miles towards opening my own bakery cafe with the one step of starting to research and write my business plan. So far its pretty tough going. I can visualize in my head exactly what I want, but to write it down on paper and effectively communicate it to someone (say, a banker or investor) is not an easy task for me. I alternate being feeling worried that I am including too much detail and its boring, or not including enough and looking foolish.

Thankfully, I have some wonderful people travelling alongside me. First and foremost of course is my husband Andrew. Truly, this is OUR business, as he is the rock on which our foundation is built. My business savvy friend David is graciously alternating between taking the time to help me through the snarl of technicalities that is opening a business, and reassuring me that I am not actually insane by attempting to open a new business.

Tomorrow, I think, will be less paperwork and more Testing Recipes! Yay~!