This is my first blog post on La Propeller and we would be looking at the Cookies Business. I was awestruck with the story of Chef Tolu Eros (Cooke Jar and Chef Ambassador of Miele), his humble beginning and low start-up capital; over time with much diligence and God’s favour (please let’s not rule this out of business, success is not all about been smart and intelligent – yeah, they are needful), his has grown the brand to a multimillion venture.

Making and selling cookies may not seem a laudable idea in this clime, Nigeria. Hmmm! this is no longer true, the story of Tolu Eros makes my posit even more empirical.

Get a piece of paper and a pen as I take you through the dynamics of cookie business. You might just be creating your first non-conventional business plan. Yeah, unconventional, doing common things in an amazing manner....

http://lapropeller.com/2015/11/21/emerging-ceos-my-cookie-business/

Today, we would be looking at this business line – Cookies Business.

Making and selling cookies may not seem a laudable idea in this clime, Nigeria. Hmmm! this is no longer true, the story of Tolu Eros makes my posit even more empirical.

Get a piece of paper and a pen as I take you through the dynamics of cookie business. You might just be creating your first non-conventional business plan. Yeah, unconventional, doing common things in an amazing manner.

Starting a home-based cookie business requires more than a batch of snicker doodles. It takes research and planning to ensure your business gets off to a good start… That is not a big deal anyway, that’s why I am here. I do know that there are laws regulating food sales, which includes obtaining a special permit from NAFDAC, but don’t worry you will get to that status in no time but let’s start from a small scale and grow it into an enviable height.

If you have a talent and love for baking, as well as a desire to have your own business, starting an in-home business baking cookies may suit you. Before you start this venture, there are a few things that you will need to know and complete to ensure that you get off on the right foot. Start-up budgets for a home business such as this are typically quite low, especially if you already have all of the baking supplies on hand.

Ok, let’s take it in this order.

Step 1: Deciding the kind of cookies to make

Permit met to assume that you know what cookies are. Now, decide what types of cookies you will be baking. You can specialize in one type of cookie, such as chocolate chip or shaped and decorated sugar cookies, or you can offer a variety. Drop cookies take less time than decorated ones. Also think about storage and delivery. Decorated cookies will require special storage and delivery to prevent them from being ruined. Do your personal research on what is obtainable in your environment and do a little tweak. Be creative and excellence driven!

Step 2: Learn how to make cookies

This should not be a challenge to you. There are several videos on YouTube to help you on this and be diligent enough to try them out.

Step 3: Testing the Market Profitability

We want to achieve “a near impossible fail proof business”. Let’s test the market. Let me be frank with you, cookies will sell even in a low-net worth area. This cadre are not even acquainted with the foreign cookies in our supermarkets, just come up with a good cookies at a good price. Hey Friend! You can sell your cookies everywhere, what is key is – Your Cookies Taste, Packaging, Price and Marketing; just relax, I will take you through.

Back to our discussion. Let’s go… Marketing is key, let me assume you can come up with good cookies, for a start you can use foil as wrappers/packaging material. I will be giving you two marketing approach for a start, though more from a generalized point of view.

Look out for your Area of network, having clusters of families. It could be your residence or your local church assembly.
Reach out to some families (your discretion is advised) and give them sample cookies, let them know you now make cookies and even have a sales stand (tell them where it is)
Get a “Cooler” or food box. Where you have your cookies ready for sales.

I am excited that this will work for you.

visit www.lapropeller.com for more help as regards business start-up.

Thanks.