Am I legally allowed to start a micro bakery in my area?
In the United States, micro bakeries are legal in all 50 states. Each state has their own individual rules & guidelines, which I teach in detail in Micro Bakery School + how to apply for the proper licenses and certifications. Some states do not allow you to have pets in your home, but you do have options, like selling non-food based items or baking in a room that your pets do not enter.
To get a good idea of the laws in your area, https://forrager.com/laws is very good resource.
If you’re outside of the United States, the rules might be different for you, but still allowable. For example, in Canada, you’re not able to do a bread stand outside of your home, but you are allowed to sell at Farmers Markets. In Micro Bakery School, I’ll teach you how to find the rules & guidelines for your area to ensure you’re running your Micro Bakery legally and compliantly.
If I choose to build a bread stand, will you help me set it up?
Absolutely! If you choose to build a bread stand, I’ve got you covered every step of the way.
Inside Micro Bakery School, I’ll show you how to create a beautiful and functional bread stand. Whether you want to build one on a budget or replicate my exact setup, you’ll have all theguidance you need to make it happen.
I’ll even share where you can purchase the exact blueprints I used to build my stand for just $21.
Can this work for me even if I don't use a bread stand?
Absolutely. If you live in an apartment or just prefer a simpler set up, you can sell your baked goods through pick up and delivery, where customers pre-order their baked goods online or by text, and you arrange for them to pick up their orders at your home, nearby public area, or even deliver them right to their door.
And don’t worry about the logistics—Inside Micro Bakery School, I’ll show you how to set up a simple, user-friendly, low cost ordering system that makes the entire process seamless for both you and your customers.
What additional costs are there to get started?
While the exact costs will vary depending on your location and goals, here’s a breakdown of potential expenses to consider:
1. Licensing and Permits
Depending on your state or country, you may need to register your micro bakery under cottage food laws or obtain specific permits. These fees can range from $20 to $200.
2. Kitchen Equipment
If you’re just starting out, you may need to invest in equipment like:
- Mixing bowls
- Baking sheets
- Cooling racks
- A stand mixer
- Storage containers
Costs will vary depending on what you already have at home, but you can often start small and upgrade as your bakery grows.
3. Packaging
To present your baked goods professionally, you’ll want packaging like:
- Boxes, bags, or containers
- Labels or stickers for branding
- Twine or other decorative touches
- Packaging costs can range from $0.10 to $1.00 per item, depending on the style you choose.
4. Ingredients
High-quality, fresh ingredients are a must for creating delicious baked goods. Bulk purchasing can help reduce costs as you scale, but expect to spend more upfront to stock your pantry.
5. Marketing Materials
Spreading the word about your bakery may involve:
- Printing door hangers or business cards
- Creating a simple website or using an online ordering platform
6. (Optional) Bread Stand Setup
If you’re using a bread stand, you might invest in a table, shelves, or display materials. A basic setup can cost as little as $50, while a more elaborate stand might run closer to $300.
Depending on the resources you already have and your goals with your micro bakery, your initial set up cost can be as little as $250 and as high as $2,000.
Keep in mind that you can start off small and upgrade as you go.
Is this hard work?
Yes! Running a micro bakery is definitely hard work, and I won’t sugarcoat it (pun intended).
You’ll spend time in the kitchen perfecting recipes, baking in bulk, marketing to attract customers, and managing your finances. You’ll need focus, dedication, and a willingness to learn as you go.
But here’s the thing—it’s also incredibly rewarding.
There’s nothing like the feeling of creating something with your own two hands and seeing your community enjoy what you’ve made. When customers rave about your bread or cookies, when you hit a new sales goal, or when you get to see the joy on someone’s face as they pick up their order, it all makes the hard work worth it.
So yes, it’s hard work—but it’s also incredibly fulfilling work.
How much can I make with my micro bakery?
The average sale price of each item in my micro bakery is $15 (some items sell for more and some sell for less, but that’s the average).
So if you’re able to bake and sell 10 items per week, you would make $150 per week—$600 per month. If you’re able to bake and sell 25 items per week, you would make $375 per week—$1,500 per month. If you’re able to bake and sell 50 items per week—you would make $750 per week, $3,000 per month. And so on.
Some micro bakers make as much as $6,000-$8,000 per month all from home.
*This income range represents examples of top-performing micro bakers and is not a guarantee of earnings.
The best part about a micro bakery is that your income is entirely up to you—based on how much you’re willing and able to bake and sell each week.
What type of products can I sell?
Outside of bread, cookies, and brownies, the options are pretty much endless! Muffins, cupcakes, scones, biscuits, jams, donuts, pretzels, pop tarts, popcorn, hot cocoa mix, and more. And you aren’t limited to baked goods either, you can even sell bouquets of flowers! The laws in each state will vary slightly on what you can and can’t sell, which we cover in detail inside the course.
And don’t worry if aren’t sure what you want to sell, inside Micro Bakery School we have 6 ready-made menus, each with its own collection of items.
Where can I sell my products?
You have options, from cute bread stands to communal farmers markets! The most ideal set up for you will depend on your budget and what type of home you live in, and inside Micro Bakery School, I’ll break down 3 main options to help you find the best fit for your lifestyle:
1. Bread Stands, which can be set up in a front yard or on a porch.
2. Pick-ups & Deliveries, which are perfect for apartment dwellers
3. And Farmers Markets, hosted gatherings by your local community
How many hours per week will I need to work?
That’s totally up to you! Some micro bakers work on their micro bakery very part time, just a few hours each day. They enjoy a little baking and a little extra spending money each week. Others choose to work on their micro bakery full time to the point that it replaces their day job and becomes their full-time career.
What type of equipment do I need?
You can start baking and selling goodies with the equipment you already have in your kitchen! However, long-term, you may want to consider purchasing things like larger mixing bowls and extra baking sheets so you can make baking faster and easier for yourself. Inside Micro Bakery School, I’ll share with you my recommended baking tools and equipment, most of which you’ll likely already have in your kitchen.
Do I need a special license?
It depends. Each state has different requirements to legally run your Micro Bakery. For example, you might need to register your micro bakery with your local health department, which is an easy, low-cost, and quick process. Other states might require you to take a food safety course.
Inside Micro Bakery School, I'll show you how to find the rules & guidelines for your specific area.
How creative do I need to be to make this work?
You can be as creative as you'd like (and if you don't feel like you're a very creative person, that's okay too!). Inside the Micro Bakery School, I'll give you 25 micro bakery name ideas, 3 brand kits to choose from (which includes your logo, color scheme, packaging, & labels), along with 6 ready-made menus.
So if you'd like to keep your micro bakery simple (I get it), simply select one of my pre-made micro bakery names, brand kits, and menus.
On the other hand, if the creative aspect of a micro bakery is what excites you the most, feel free to go all out!
Can I do this with a friend or family member?
Absolutely! It’s even more fun with a friend. That said, some areas restrict your Micro Bakery’s baking to just one kitchen - sorry, no sharing ovens. Inside the course, I go over the full guidelines for working with a partner and how to find the specific guidelines for your area.
Are micro bakeries seasonal? And can I still sell products in winter?
While micro bakeries tend to flourish during the warmer months, you can still sell a lot of bread & cookies during the winter! Inside Micro Bakery School, I'll show you my best selling winter items and how you can continue to generate a profit during the colder months (while making sure you stay warm! 🥰)
How long will I have access to the course?
Micro Bakery School is a one time purchase and you will retain full access of the course for the lifetime of the program.
Does this come with a money-back guarantee?
Of course! You have 30-days to go through Micro Bakery School and implement what you learn and if for any reason you’re unhappy with your purchase, message me at help@microbakeryschool.com and I’ll give you a full refund—no questions asked.