Income Booster idea?

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Income Booster idea?
Topic Started: Nov 3 2009, 01:00 PM (159 Views)
MyGiantPony	Nov 3 2009, 01:00 PM Post #1
Off visiting Candy Cave, be right back. Posts: 1,302 Group: Members Member #531 Joined: January 22, 2007	I really wanted to start an at-home bake shop, because that's one area where I have talent, but I looked at state laws, and you can't have pets in a house with a home bakery. Plus, I'm on a well, and that has to be tested (annually, I think). So plan #2 - gourmet dog cookies. I have several recipes, it's just as fun to bake for dogs as it is for people, but will they sell? I think I'll try an order form on the bulletin board at work and see how it goes. Any other ideas for promoting them? I thought maybe consigning them with one of the (people) bakeries at the farmer's market?



JanM	Nov 3 2009, 01:19 PM Post #2
I Visited Candy Mountain and All I Got Was This Lousy Incision Posts: 93 Group: Members Member #4,549 Joined: October 25, 2008	The dog cookies might be good. You can get a table at local craft fairs and see if they sell, or try selling to local pet stores. We have a great local store here that sells dog/cat/small pet supplies, had a dog wash station, etc and sells things from smaller companies all the time. And you can rent space and equipment in some commercial bakeries too if you really get big with the company. I like smaller dog biscuits sizes too, and not so hard would be nice, crunchy is nice but rock hard isn't. The human bakery idea wouldn't just be the regs about pets, a friend looked into doing pies and cookies and the business licensing rules, and sanitation rules were very scary. Edited by JanM, Nov 3 2009, 02:55 PM.



Boston	Nov 3 2009, 01:20 PM Post #3
Bethy Posts: 1,172 Group: Members Member #422 Joined: January 18, 2007	What a great idea!! The farmers market sounds like a good start. I would also bring samples and flyers and order forms around to vets, pet supply stores, groomers, and shelters.



RHowell	Nov 3 2009, 01:30 PM Post #4
You're BANNED! Posts: 4,400 Group: Members Member #138 Joined: January 7, 2007	I bought 6 dog cookies for 3 dollars (the cheapest special) at the Falls Church Farmer's Market this past weekend. My boyfriend also buys a hand-selected bag full of dog treats from Dogma Dog Bakery at least once a week--probably spends $20/week on gourmet dog treats. I particularly like the doggie snicker doodles. I think in markets with high end snooty pooch pet owners, you should be able to be profitable.



Trixie	Nov 3 2009, 01:36 PM Post #5
We're on a bridge, Chaaaaaaaaarlie! Posts: 276 Group: Members Member #283 Joined: January 9, 2007	Maybe. I always think it's cute and interesting to see gourmet dog treats, but frankly it's not something I'm about to spend money on since Matlock thinks rawhides are the best thing ever and most certainly does not care if a treat is gourmet or not. Once in a blue moon we hit the gourmet doggy bakery in Old Town when we're out walking about, but given the economy, it's definitely a niche market. Can you try selling to a store that already has steady business?



CDE Driver	Nov 3 2009, 01:39 PM Post #6
Off visiting Candy Cave, be right back. Posts: 1,172 Group: Members Member #1,486 Joined: August 19, 2007	And if it isn't too much trouble how about doing some for dogs with food allergies? My dog is allergic to all sorts of things, wheat, poultry and barley being a few. I would buy those since I can't find any that he can have!



Trialbyfire	Nov 3 2009, 02:17 PM Post #7
It'll be an adventure! We're going on an adventure! Posts: 2,189 Group: Members Member #250 Joined: January 8, 2007	I would probably buy them too, but I'll tell you what my pet peeve is with most gourmet dog biscuits -- they are huge!! Now, I'm sure it is easier to make them bigger, but some of them are a half-pound or better. I would definitely like the smaller ones -- you can give more treats! Maybe, if nothing else, experiment with sizes.



MyGiantPony	Nov 3 2009, 02:30 PM Post #8
Off visiting Candy Cave, be right back. Posts: 1,302 Group: Members Member #531 Joined: January 22, 2007	CDE Driver Nov 3 2009, 01:39 PM And if it isn't too much trouble how about doing some for dogs with food allergies? My dog is allergic to all sorts of things, wheat, poultry and barley being a few. I would buy those since I can't find any that he can have! I'm sure I could figure out a recipe that would suit!



CDE Driver	Nov 3 2009, 08:23 PM Post #9
Off visiting Candy Cave, be right back. Posts: 1,172 Group: Members Member #1,486 Joined: August 19, 2007	MyGiantPony Nov 3 2009, 02:30 PM CDE Driver Nov 3 2009, 01:39 PM And if it isn't too much trouble how about doing some for dogs with food allergies? My dog is allergic to all sorts of things, wheat, poultry and barley being a few. I would buy those since I can't find any that he can have! I'm sure I could figure out a recipe that would suit! Yay! Sign me up!



Kikki	Nov 3 2009, 11:34 PM Post #10
Off visiting Candy Cave, be right back. Posts: 1,082 Group: Members Member #403 Joined: January 17, 2007	I love the allergy idea! So many dogs have allergies. I used to have one (Leo) and it was hard to find treats for him. But I would like nice HEALTHY, grain free treats with good quality protein sources, good fats, and lowish carbs. If you made a variety that was small enough for training treats, all the better! I'd order them online, and I'd see if your vet would have samples and maybe info on them, and go to some of the local specialty pet stores. Also booths at dog shows and events (these are the people who are going to be quite particular about the ingredients), markets, the farmers market is a good one, etc. A people bakery might even want to sell them!



JanM	Nov 4 2009, 05:59 AM Post #11
I Visited Candy Mountain and All I Got Was This Lousy Incision Posts: 93 Group: Members Member #4,549 Joined: October 25, 2008	I have seen doggie treats (Petco's doggie treat bar) that also were edible for humans. But the one thing I hate is that some 'natural' 'preservative free' ones have very obviously been in the warehouse forever (weevils hatching immediately). So quickly from kitchen to market is very crucial. ANd if you really get into this, a nice website (spell checked for heaven's sake) and ups or fedex delivery would be great.



kady05	Nov 4 2009, 06:51 AM Post #12
Off visiting Candy Cave, be right back. Posts: 1,078 Group: Members Member #899 Joined: March 19, 2007	I have a friend that did the gourmet pet treats (she did dogs, cats & horses) for awhile. I know she had fun doing it, but I don't think she made much money doing it. It could be profitable if you got hooked up with a local store that would sell your treats though! That was one of her problems; our local tack stores were already selling another small businesses treats so she wasn't able to get in with them. I agree with the allergy safe treats though. And the healthy, grain free stuff. Wilson really doesn't get treats other than when we're training, so I love training treats.



Barn Girl	Nov 4 2009, 11:07 AM Post #13
We're on a bridge, Chaaaaaaaaarlie! Posts: 251 Group: Members Member #1,230 Joined: July 5, 2007	Try to see if other types of local businesses might sell some for you too. We have a new butcher shop in town and someone local has a rack of homemade horse and dog treats in there. They also sell them at our local farmer's market.



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