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RE: Starting your own on-line business - a helpful website - 9/29/2007 9:35:55 PM   
ChicagoSwitchMal


Posts: 417
Joined: 9/9/2007
Status: offline 		spam

(in reply to scifisub42)
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RE: Starting your own on-line business - a helpful website - 9/30/2007 12:57:17 AM   
SusanofO


Posts: 5672
Joined: 12/19/2005
Status: offline 		KMsAngel: I wrote you back (sorry for the late reply. I was online with a lawyer, trying to find out if I can do this in my own kitchen).

feastie: That was so sweet of you to look up the regulations. I found them, and read them but they still aren't clear to me - there is something in there, about private living quarters not being near the kitchen (and my dining room is right next to my ktichen, so maybe that means No) BUT- I'm just not sure, really, what exactly it means - for me. 

Because - there are about a hundred reasons for exclusion listed after that part, plus a way to appeal any citation for non-compliance. I am not sure how strictly they enforce this - I couldn't believe what I saw on the net today, during my research, as far as people selling food - both good and terrible websites, IMO - but if I am to be an ongoing website prescence as a business, I want to comply with the law. So - 

Monday I am calling the State Attorney General's office, and also the local Chamber of Commerce, to try to get an answer. If it turns out I have to rent commercial kitchen space to do this, I do know someone who I can probably rent it from, but to be profitable it would depend on how much rent she charged me. Still if I could rent the space, I'd hate to let a thing like having to pay for it stop me. Maybe she'd let me just give her fudge as a barter? (seriously). I could also pay her money.

I know the legal permits, etc, and taxes, and reporting aspects are going to be the un-fun parts of this venture. But, I knew the job was dangerous when I took it, hehe - we'll see what happens as I delve deeper, and find out just how complex this part is going to be.  I feel like finding out the answer is going to substantially chage my operation, but if I need to rent commerical kitchen space, depending on how much it costs, I may still go ahead with things.

I have sort of decided on where I want to keep my prices, and my potential profit that could be substanitally reduced if I have to pay a lot for commercial kitchen time. I don't want to raise prices too high, or I price myself out of what is already a pretty comppetitive marketplace, IMO. 

But I wish and hope I can do it from my home kitchen - it would bs so much easier, IMO.

You were a doll to look that up for me. Thanks. I'll let you know how it goes. I bet you decorate lovely cakes, and I am hoping you sell bunches of them.

Thanks for the replies and support, everyone. scifisub42 - thanks for the cute suggestions for names. I appreciate that.

- Susan

< Message edited by SusanofO -- 9/30/2007 1:28:11 AM >

_____________________________

"Hope is the thing with feathers,
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all". - Emily Dickinson

(in reply to scifisub42)
Profile   Post #: 22
RE: Starting an on-line business - an extremely helpful... - 9/30/2007 4:29:16 AM   
Aileen68


Posts: 6091
Joined: 8/2/2005
Status: offline 		Don't forget insurance and check into the health codes for your state.  Good luck.

(in reply to SusanofO)
Profile   Post #: 23
RE: Starting an on-line business - an extremely helpful... - 9/30/2007 5:08:46 AM   
camille65


Posts: 5746
Joined: 7/11/2007
From: Austin Texas
Status: offline 		I like the name 'Sweet Suzanne'.

It is soooooo fun to read your excitement over all this Susan . I'm genuinely happy for you and I hope it all works out. Just don't forget all us 'little people' when you bump Martha Stewart from her perch and take her place!

_____________________________


~Love your life! (It is the only one you'll get).




(in reply to SusanofO)
Profile   Post #: 24
RE: Starting an on-line business - an extremely helpful... - 9/30/2007 12:53:28 PM   
feastie


Posts: 1793
Joined: 6/4/2004
Status: offline 		Suzanne's Sweets might be the way to go.  People love aliteration.  As far as the regs, you need to talk with the state about what is permissible and what is not.  I'm certainly not trying to discourage you, I just would hate to see you get in trouble over something like health regs.



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Snarky and loving it.

Disclaimer: Any views expressed in any post are my opinions only. They may or may not be yours.

(in reply to camille65)
Profile   Post #: 25
RE: Starting an on-line business - an extremely helpful... - 9/30/2007 4:43:25 PM   
SusanofO


Posts: 5672
Joined: 12/19/2005
Status: offline 		feastie and (everyone): I found a woman today who is willing to rent me commercial kitchen space in her bakery, for $75 a week (which is really cheap!) She is an old friend of my mother's (my mom died 4 years ago, but they were good friends for years).

Now tommorrow, I am contacting the state Attorney General's office, the County Health Board, and the local Chamber of Commerce, to find out what permits I need to file, and also the requirements for food ingredients labelling (I don't need to do actual nutrition content labelling - unless my sales are over $50,000 a year, but do need to list ingredients. And I have some questions about just how much detail needs to be listed.) I may need to incorporate first. My brother-in-law is a corporate attorney, and although this isn't his specialty area, he does know how to get that done.

I also decided on pricing, and found some whole-sale ingredients suppliers that are local, and found packaging suppliers. I also made a long list of potential sales avenues to investigate: The internet (a website, which I plan to build with a graphic designer friend of mine), local and regional Farmer's markets, and local retail Bakeries. 

So - today I managed to make some progress on this idea. I am still excited, although I was initially a little bummed when I learned I'd need to use a commericial kitchen. But at least I found a commercial kitchen I can use, at a very reasonable cost.

I am sure there will be problems, but so far, so good....keeping my fingers crossed. I am so glad, feastie, that you mentioned what you did about possible food manufacturing regulations. I was so caught up in my own excitement over this idea, I let it slip my mind. And it would have had pretty serious consequences, IMO, if I'd ignored that area of inquiry.

**Thanks for all of the cute ideas for a company name - I appreciate the support and good suggestions, folks.

- Susan 

< Message edited by SusanofO -- 9/30/2007 5:04:10 PM >

_____________________________

"Hope is the thing with feathers,
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all". - Emily Dickinson

(in reply to feastie)
Profile   Post #: 26
RE: Starting an on-line business - an extremely helpful... - 9/30/2007 4:59:11 PM   
KMsAngel


Posts: 17415
Joined: 4/13/2007
Status: offline 		don't forget cafe's. over here a lot are smallish - not quite hole in the wall that don't have the capabilities of making their own baked goods.

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(in reply to SusanofO)
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RE: Starting an on-line business - an extremely helpful... - 9/30/2007 5:06:50 PM   
SusanofO


Posts: 5672
Joined: 12/19/2005
Status: offline 		KMsAngel: Oh yeah! Cafe's! What a great idea! Yes, there are several smaller cafe's where I live also. Thank you!

- Susan

< Message edited by SusanofO -- 9/30/2007 5:10:30 PM >

_____________________________

"Hope is the thing with feathers,
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all". - Emily Dickinson

(in reply to KMsAngel)
Profile   Post #: 28
RE: Starting an on-line business - an extremely helpful... - 9/30/2007 5:14:34 PM   
MistressSandra2U


Posts: 33
Joined: 3/20/2007
Status: offline 		What are your prices for fudge and what kind do you offer. I would like to give some to the management staff at my slave's offices. He has five managers.

(in reply to SusanofO)
Profile   Post #: 29
RE: Starting an on-line business - an extremely helpful... - 9/30/2007 5:55:30 PM   
SusanofO


Posts: 5672
Joined: 12/19/2005
Status: offline 		Well! This is exciting!   Thank you, MistressSandra2u!

I offer chocolate fudge in the following varieties (and guaranteed delicious):

1) Plain (just fudge, no nuts)

2) with just Walnuts (there are plenty of nuts, at least 1 cup per pound) *These are English walnuts, not Black walnuts, in case anyone is wondering. English Walnuts Are the type most commonly sold in grocery stores)

3) With just Pecans (same amount of nuts - at least 1 cup)

4) With both Walnuts and Pecans (1/2 cup of each, per pound)

The fudge comes in the following quantities - *All prices include shipping.

Shipping is done via USPS Priority Mail - no matter where you are located in the U.S. (international shipments included, but may use a different carrier).

Please allow 2 days to process the order, and 3 days for shipping- from the time I receive the order.
 
In other words - if you live in the continental U.S., please allow 3-4 days from the time you mail it, for your order to actually reach me in the mail. Then - allow about 5 days to process and mail so you can receive it. So - from the time you mail it to me, to when you get your order should not be longer than 10 days.  
 
*If you are overseas, please allow 7-14 days for shipping -  or - 14-21 days to process the entire order (I'd be more specific, but I don't have that much experience yet with overseas shipments, and don't want folks to be disappointed - so please allow 3 weeks from the time I receive the order). Thanks.

*All fudge comes in its own food-safe plastic tin, perfectly fitted  - boxed in a beautiful matte' finished, white cardboard box, with a red bow imprinted on the front - perfect for gift-giving (think Russell's Stover's candy box). The candy container fits the box exactly.
 
*This is not schlocky-looking packaging, or something you will even need to wrap. It looks like a gift already, complete with imprinted bow. You are not receiving something in just some ordinary, boring plastic container. It looks like a nice gift (and it will be a delicious one).

Quantity sizes and prices: *these prices are very competitive, if you check around the market-place.

1/2 and 1 pound sizes come in individual boxes. If you  order 2 or 3 pounds, then you will receive 2 or 3 one-pound, separate  boxes (not a 2 or 3 pound box - but 2 or 3 separate boxes). 

1/2 pound (8 oz.) for $12.00 - This will be about 8 large (1 oz) pieces of fudge 

1 pound for $14.00 - 16 1 oz pieces - 1 0z. is about a 1 x 2" square of chocolate fudge. it is very, very rich fudge.

2 pounds for $20.00 - 32 1 oz pieces

3 pounds for $27.00  -48 1 oz pieces.

Pieces can be cut according to the recipient's preferences - Fudge is not pre-chopped in pieces.
 
**Fudge will "keep" for one week at room temperature, or up to 2 weeks if kept in the refrigerator. It can be frozen for up to 1 month. After this, although still edible, quality deteriorates.
 
*The reason the 1/2 pound size is expensive, compared to the rest, has to do with shipping costs.
 
But it is a nice size for people who don't want a lot of fudge - but who do like fudge. So, I am keeping that size avalaible, until or if it becomes impractical to offer it. if it doesn't sell well via the web or mail, I am eliminating it as a choice.

After 2-3 months - throw the fudge away. Do not eat it if it is this old!!
 
However, I don't think this possibility that is a huge danger, as far as likelihood.
Thanks for inquiring!

For now, if you'd like to order, - please send all orders to my e-mail

Happy gift-giving!
 
P.S. - ***If anyone wants to pre-order for the Holiday season, I will ship when you tell me to do it. I will make sure it is fresh when I ship it.
 
Just note the date you want me to ship it in your e-mail, and then count the shipping time from there, to anticipate when you will receive the shipment.
 
***I don't have my website up yet - so I can contact you back when it is up, so I can accept your credit card (all major credit cards: Visa, Mastercard. Amex, and Discover), or Paypal. My website should be up and running by the end of this month.
 
***Or, contact me now via my e-mail address (listed here in this post), and I will send you my street address, and you can mail me a check, and your order, written on a piece of paper.
 
I will aknowledge all orders I receive, via e-mail.  

All orders will be shipped safely, with plenty of newswrap and packing peanuts, etc. - so should arrive in great shape. 
 
If you are not giving the candy away immediately, I recommend keeping it in your refrigerator until you do - but for no longer than 2 weeks.

Thanks for asking about how to order.

- Susan

[Mod Note:  email addresses removed]


< Message edited by ModeratorEleven -- 9/30/2007 7:19:48 PM >

_____________________________

"Hope is the thing with feathers,
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all". - Emily Dickinson

(in reply to MistressSandra2U)
Profile   Post #: 30
RE: Starting an on-line business - an extremely helpful... - 9/30/2007 6:53:47 PM   
SusanofO


Posts: 5672
Joined: 12/19/2005
Status: offline 		Thanks for inquiring.

Any questions?

- Susan

_____________________________

"Hope is the thing with feathers,
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all". - Emily Dickinson

(in reply to SusanofO)
Profile   Post #: 31
RE: Starting an on-line business - an extremely helpful... - 9/30/2007 7:09:35 PM   
Rule


Posts: 10479
Joined: 12/5/2005
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: SusanofO
That e-mail address is supposed to read: <deleted> - with the curlicue "at" symbol.I have no idea why stars printed instead of the "at" symbol. I tried to correct it, but it doesn't work.
That is to prevent netbots from finding your e-mail address and spammers sending you tons of spam to that address. The address is visible in the quote frame, though.

[Mod Note:  email address removed]


< Message edited by ModeratorEleven -- 9/30/2007 7:21:52 PM >

(in reply to SusanofO)
Profile   Post #: 32
RE: Starting an on-line business - an extremely helpful... - 9/30/2007 7:12:41 PM   
SusanofO


Posts: 5672
Joined: 12/19/2005
Status: offline 		Rule: Anyone who wants to order can contact me on the other side (I can't put my e-mail address here, Mod 11 just told me.) 

I appreciate you answering the question.  

I will accept orders "on the other side" for my fudge. It is very good fudge. I don't want to seem pushy, so this is the last time I will mention it. But - I am currently taking pre-orders for the Holidays.

Once my website goes up, I'll announce it here (but only once or twice, at most. And I will try to be unobtrusive about it). 

- Susan

< Message edited by SusanofO -- 9/30/2007 7:38:45 PM >

_____________________________

"Hope is the thing with feathers,
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all". - Emily Dickinson

(in reply to Rule)
Profile   Post #: 33
RE: Starting an on-line business - an extremely helpful... - 9/30/2007 7:29:17 PM   
SusanofO


Posts: 5672
Joined: 12/19/2005
Status: offline 		I should not have published my personal e-mail address here.

- Susan

< Message edited by SusanofO -- 9/30/2007 7:33:38 PM >

_____________________________

"Hope is the thing with feathers,
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all". - Emily Dickinson

(in reply to SusanofO)
Profile   Post #: 34
RE: Starting an on-line business - an extremely helpful... - 9/30/2007 7:46:39 PM   
Rumtiger


Posts: 2634
Joined: 3/4/2006
From: Vegas
Status: offline 		you already know my idea....

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Fuck the Pandas!
-Moi

Mmm, I love me some kickboxers, you know why? Cause ya'll cant take a punch!
- Quentin Tarantino.

If they cant take a joke, fuck em.
-Tucker Max

(in reply to SusanofO)
Profile   Post #: 35
RE: Starting an on-line business - an extremely helpful... - 9/30/2007 7:49:04 PM   
SusanofO


Posts: 5672
Joined: 12/19/2005
Status: offline 		Rumtiger: Yes, and I appreciate very much that you took the time to think of it. 

- Susan

_____________________________

"Hope is the thing with feathers,
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all". - Emily Dickinson

(in reply to Rumtiger)
Profile   Post #: 36
RE: Starting an on-line business - an extremely helpful... - 9/30/2007 8:10:20 PM   
OrionTheWolf


Posts: 7803
Joined: 10/11/2006
Status: offline 		Greetings Susan,

Around the holidays I like to target my top 20 clients and send them some holiday snacks. One of my requirements is that a large sticker or letter as to who sent it, be on the container. You may want to look into how you could have this done on your containers. If you get it up and running, I would be willing to give it a try and possibly use you when the holidays roll around.

Orion

_____________________________

When speaking of slaves people always tend to ignore this definition "One who is abjectly subservient to a specified person or influence."

(in reply to SusanofO)
Profile   Post #: 37
RE: Starting an on-line business - an extremely helpful... - 9/30/2007 8:15:49 PM   
marieToo


Posts: 3595
Joined: 5/21/2006
From: Jersey
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: SusanofO


I was initially a little bummed when I learned I'd need to use a commericial kitchen. But at least I found a commercial kitchen I can use, at a very reasonable cost.



Susan:

I am not completey sure if this would apply in your state and in your line of business, but in obtaining your food handlers license, you may be able to get what's called a variance with regards to running the business out of your own kitchen.  Of course it will still have to be state inspected regularly, but you may want to look into this option before paying money to rent a commercial kitchen. 
More or less you request from your town an exception to the code, you file an application for the variance, then petition everyone within a certain living distance around you (ie everyone within 200 yards).  And if they all approve and sign your petition, you may be able to operate out of your own kitchen. Not sure if this would fly in your state, but it's worth looking into. 

Oh, and if you plan on making vanilla with walnuts in it, I'll be your first customer.

_____________________________

marie.


I give good agita.









(in reply to SusanofO)
Profile   Post #: 38
RE: Starting an on-line business - an extremely helpful... - 9/30/2007 9:07:08 PM   
SusanofO


Posts: 5672
Joined: 12/19/2005
Status: offline 		Note: I am now set up to take Paypal.
 
Please e-mail me on the other side of you wish to place an order, and I will tell you my e-mail address. Please make sure you tell me when you want it to ship, and how many of each kind, and the sizes (I know you'll do this, just making sure). *All prices listed in my post above include shipping, and sales tax. 
 
OriontheWolf: If you are thinking of placing an order, **I can assure you I can have a business card, 2" x 3" tucked into the front of the box, (or glued to the top) w/the name of your company (or your name) on them, indicating you are sending the fudge candy to your clients, and it is a gift from you. I can promise this will not look schlocky - it will be a nice looking card.

**I can place this card right on top of the box - there is plenty of white space available there. Or, tuck it in the front (where I can also make sure it is secure, (using a glue stick that I promise won't seep through the card)- your preference. I will make sure I get the cards - you are not responsible for supplying them. They will be printed in black ink, and use white card stock. They won't include your logo- but will include your company's name, address, phone, and-or whatever you tell me to have printed on them, as far as a message - Happy Holidays! Wishing you the best in the New Year - from your friend(s) at:____________ - or whatever you want to say.*I will research this further, but right now, this option comes immediatelly to mind, and I do know a printer that can do this well, and make it look elegant.

Simply send me a note on the other side, anytime, and let me know exactly what you'd want the label to say.**Doing this is Not a problem - at all. And it won't alter the price, either (just because I like you, hehe).

marietoo: Thanks for the tip. It is timely, because I am calling the regulators tommorrow to see what I need to do as far as permits, etc., and appreciate the information. I think I remember reading about this possibility somewhere, but I was so foggy yesterday due to so much reading, it slipped my memory, temporarily. Thanks for bringing it up.

I am looking into other varieties of fudge to make, and will certainly let you know, as soon as I expand my list of offerrings. 

- Susan

< Message edited by SusanofO -- 9/30/2007 9:46:37 PM >

_____________________________

"Hope is the thing with feathers,
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all". - Emily Dickinson

(in reply to marieToo)
Profile   Post #: 39
RE: Starting an on-line business - an extremely helpful... - 10/1/2007 1:07:00 AM   
KMsAngel


Posts: 17415
Joined: 4/13/2007
Status: offline 		susan, you're doing so well in your research and incorporating new ideas and suggestions. just want you to know that so many of us here are rooting for you to do well!!

oops, hope that didn't come across as condescending! my sincere apologies if it did!

< Message edited by KMsAngel -- 10/1/2007 1:12:03 AM >

_____________________________

20 fluffy points!

flightless cherub


(in reply to SusanofO)
Profile   Post #: 40
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