Top 10 Tips for Starting Your Baking Business

Discover essential tips for starting and scaling a successful baking business, from mastering your craft to building a strong brand and engaging with your community.

Published:
Jul 2024

Starting a baking business can be an incredibly rewarding venture. Here are the top 10 tips to help you succeed as a food entrepreneur and scale your baking business effectively:

  1. Master Your Craft: Perfect your recipes and baking techniques. Consistency is key in building a loyal customer base. Invest time in refining your skills and experimenting with new flavors to keep your offerings fresh and exciting.
  1. Identify Your Niche: Determine what sets your baked goods apart. Whether it's vegan options, gluten-free treats, or decadent desserts, finding your unique selling point will help you stand out in a crowded market.
  2. Develop a Strong Brand: Create a memorable brand that reflects your business values and resonates with your target audience. From your name, to your logo to your packaging, every element should communicate your brand identity. Low-cost, DIY branding tools, like "Looka" can help kickstart your brand without needing to hire a graphic designer.
  3. Focus on Quality Ingredients: Use high-quality ingredients to ensure your baked goods taste exceptional. Sourcing locally can also add a unique touch to your products and support your community.
  4. Build an Online Presence: Leverage social media platforms to showcase your creations, engage with customers, and attract new followers. A well-maintained website with an online store can also help boost sales and expand your reach.
  5. Offer Samples: Give potential customers a taste of your products. Offering samples at local events, markets, or even through partnerships with cafes can create buzz and drive sales.
  6. Engage with Your Community: Participate in local events, collaborate with other small businesses, and engage with your community both online and offline. Building relationships can lead to loyal customers and valuable partnerships.
  7. Find the Right Equipment: Invest in quality baking equipment that can handle increased production as your business grows. Efficient, reliable equipment in your baking kitchen can save you time, reduce waste, and ensure consistency in your products.
  8. Seek Feedback: Encourage customers to provide feedback and listen to their suggestions. This will help you improve your products and services continuously.
  9. Plan for Growth: Set realistic goals and create a roadmap for scaling your business. Whether it's expanding your product line, opening a storefront, or increasing your online presence, having a clear plan will guide your growth.
  10. Stay Informed: Keep up with industry trends and market demands. Attending workshops, joining baking communities, and reading up on the latest baking innovations can give you a competitive edge.

For those just starting out or looking to scale, consider the benefits of a commercial kitchen. A commercial kitchen for rent provides flexible space without the need for a long-term commitment, making it easier to adapt to your growing needs.

By following these tips, you'll be well on your way to building a successful baking business that delights customers and stands out in the competitive food industry. Happy baking!

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I produce our product on demand to sustain the brand and prioritize cash flow, avoiding excess inventory. That’s why I’m a client.
Catherine Chen Founder, CC Spicy

Catherine Chen
Founder, CC Spicy

Frequently
Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about booking kitchen space.

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Who is Syzl for?

Syzl is for anybody who needs certified kitchen space.Are you a home cook who needs a bigger kitchen for an event?Maybe you're a professional chef who needs a kitchen for recipe testing.Or maybe you're a new food entrepreneur looking to expand your menu offerings but are worried about provincial regulations.No matter who you are, we have you covered if you need a kitchen.

Do I need insurance?

Many Kitchen Hosts on Syzl require that Food Makers have (and provide proof of) $2-5 million in Commercial General Liability (CGL) Insurance to book and use their kitchen. Likewise, Syzl strongly recommends that you obtain insurance for yourself/your business so that you are protected in the event that you are found legally responsible for injuries caused to another person or damage to their property.

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Syzl has partnered with Zensurance to recommend various types of insurance coverage specific to small businesses in the food industry. They have specialized experience with this category and will help you tailor a policy to work for your business.

How do I get paid for my kitchen?

Ready to accept bookings? Let’s ensure you are set up to receive compensation! Syzl partners with Stripe in order to complete secure payments.

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Set up your wallet

Before you start receiving payments, you need to set up your Wallet directly in the Syzl app. Please ensure you have a piece of ID on hand (i.e. passport, driver’s licence, or ID card)

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Here’s how:

  1. Sign in to the Syzl app and navigate to ‘Wallet’.
  2. Once you select ‘Wallet’, you’ll need to select ‘get a stripe account’.
  3. Enter your email and phone number. Stripe will use your phone number to send a verification code.
  4. Once you’ve entered your verification code, you’ll be prompted to enter your legal name, date of birth, and home address.
  5. After this, you’ll have to select which bank account you want to use to receive payouts.
  6. Enter your account details, including the transit number, institution number, and account number. Double check that the numbers are accurate before submitting.
  7. At this point you’ll be asked to verify your identification by uploading a piece of ID.

That’s it, you’ve set up your wallet and can start receiving payments!

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How much does it cost?

At Syzl, our mission is to provide affordable access to certified kitchens for Food Makers of all types, from professional chefs to new entrepreneurs and everyone in between!

Signing up and browsing our app is completely free! 💪 Here are the expenses you will incur when you find a kitchen you want to rent:

  • Hourly rates will vary by kitchen. Kitchen Hosts have the final say regarding what it costs to use their space. Kitchen Hosts are encouraged to set their rates to suit their individual business needs while considering what their kitchen offers to Food Makers regarding location, specialized equipment, availability, etc.
  • Sales tax will be calculated on the total and is visible on your receipt. We recommend contacting your accountant if you have questions about charging or paying sales tax for your business.
  • A Maker booking fee of 4% is also applicable to each booking. This fee is calculated on the amount before tax and is also visible on your receipt. Please get in touch with your business accountant to determine how your business might handle claiming this expense.

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Are the kitchens clean?

Cleaning up thoroughly after your booking is a great way to build good will with your host for future bookings

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Do I need to clean up when I'm done?

Definitely! It is your responsibility as a maker to leave the space the way you found it when you arrived.

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We add an additional hour to your booking (2 hours if your booking is 8+ hours), so you have enough time to thoroughly clean the space when you're done. We also allow, where available, an extension of time should you be running short at the end of your booking.

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What happens if the space wasn’t clean when I arrived?

If the space was not clean when you arrived, please take pictures as evidence and forward them to our team so that we can get in touch with the host.

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mushrooms