Northern California Small Business Development Centers invites anyone ready to turn their passion for homemade goodies into a thriving business to a free cottage food launchpad webinar series. Sessions are held Tuesdays from May 20 to June 24, 1 to 2:30 p.m. Registration is available online.
Organizers describe the series as an essential guide to navigating the exciting world of cottage food entrepreneurship. Over six comprehensive sessions, presenters will equip participants with the knowledge and skills they need to confidently launch and run their own successful cottage food venture.
“From understanding the fundamentals and mastering the licensing process to efficiently running your operations, pricing your delectable creations and effectively marketing your brand, this series is your recipe for success,” organizers say. “Don’t just dream it — take the first step towards your sweet success story!”
Sessions are presented by SBDC Eats advsiors Shawn Walker-Smith, Deagon Williams and Heather Saffer.
Session 1 – The Basics: May 20. In this module, participants will learn the fundamentals of starting a cottage food business, including an overview of the six-week training schedule, approved cottage foods, successful entrepreneurs in the industry, essential skills and knowledge, required permits, choosing a niche and the costs involved in running a cottage food business. The session will also highlight key takeaways and learning objectives for the entire series.
Session 2 – Getting Started: May 27. In this module, participants will learn how to navigate the professional licensing process for a cottage food business. Key topics include understanding legal matters such as entity types, business and professional licenses, commercial insurance and business bank accounts. The session also covers ServSafe certification, food handler’s permits, environmental health and cottage food permits, acquiring necessary business equipment and supplies, and obtaining inventory.
Session 3 – Running Your Business Part 1: June 3. In this module, participants will learn how to successfully start a cottage food business, including setting up an efficient kitchen at home; maintaining operations, hygiene and cleanliness; and handling packaging and labeling. The session also covers bulk sales for bakeries and provides real-world examples to illustrate key concepts.
Session 4 – Running Your Business Part 2: June 10. In this module, participants will learn how to gather ingredients, explore wholesale and pricing options, and use a scale for accurate measurements. The session also covers weighing ingredients and measuring recipes, and introduces the food costing formula.
Session 5 – Marketing Your Business: June 17. In this module, participants will learn how to identify their target market, conduct market research and apply marketing techniques to attract new clients. Key topics include understanding the customer base, building competitive confidence, simplifying market research and using websites and social media for effective marketing.
Session 6 – The Cost of Doing Business: June 24. In this module, participants will learn how to assess the costs of starting and running a cottage food business, including determining startup and ongoing costs, planning financial projections and exploring financing options for their business.