Idea for a Small Business: Fresh Hot Baked Goods on the Street

“Fresh hot pies - with cabbage, meat, apples!” When you're hungry, such a warm and tasty offer is the most pleasant thing to hear on the street. And selling hot pastries is a pretty good idea for a small business.

WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE?

To open a small retail point, you will need relatively modest start-up costs. We're talking about approximately $2,000–$3,000. However, the final figure will depend on several factors:

• Where exactly you intend to sell the products;
• The operating hours of the retail point - daily or on holidays;
• Where you plan to source your products - you can order bakery products, or you can start baking yourself;
• What staff you plan to hire: for servicing the point and the business in general, you'll need a salesperson, a loader, an accountant, a guard (if the pastries will be prepared in-house – a baker);
• What equipment you will use (umbrella, cart, kiosk, refrigerator, and so on).

WHERE CAN YOU SAVE?

At the start, some positions can be combined and performed independently, without hiring staff - here's direct savings. If sales pick up quickly enough, you can set up a second point, but you won't be able to manage without additional staff (besides the salesperson).

EXPAND YOUR ASSORTMENT - MORE CUSTOMERS, HIGHER PROFITS.

To increase your income, you should expand your assortment. Experienced entrepreneurs recommend stocking at least 15 types of bakery products. Why not add tea and coffee to the pastries, which will be very popular in the cold autumn and winter, as well as juices, ice cream, and refreshing drinks in the summer? However, selling these products will require additional investments in a refrigerator, coffee machine, etc.

PERMITS.

To engage in trade legally, you need to find a suitable location and obtain permits from the relevant authorities, such as the traffic police, the consumer rights protection agency, and the fire service. Choose a location with good foot traffic, but be prepared for the high rent cost for this "bread place." On average, for a 2m² space, you'll need to allocate at least $50.

TRADE SECRETS.

Turnover can vary significantly in different locations, as can consumer demand. Take this into account when creating your "menu." Who are your main customers - workers, students, men, women, youth, parents with children, or older individuals? Depending on this, it's better to offer pastries with different fillings.

Also, adjust your range according to the weather - customer preferences change significantly in hot and cold weather. Remember, pastries must be sold within one day, so it's important to accurately estimate volumes.

Quality is paramount - a customer will go to the seller with the freshest and most delicious pastries. On average, from one small retail point, you can expect a profit of $125–$210 per month. With an expanded range and sales on weekends and holidays, turnover, and therefore profit, can significantly increase.