Opening a bakery is a huge step for just about any type of entrepreneur and often requires a lot of time, effort, and investment to make things just right. But with so many things to take into consideration, it can be hard for some small business owners to juggle everything all at once. As a result, this article will discuss everything you need to add to your bakery shop business plan.
1. Find the Right Location
Bakeries have been a key part of the high street for centuries, so you must find the right place to run your prosperous new business. Since these establishments are so commonplace around the world, you’re encouraged to conduct some research into your local area to ensure that you’re not moving too closely to any of your competitors. However, it’s key that you do not isolate yourself from your customer base and make sure that you select a location that has a lot of regular traffic. If all of this sounds a bit too overwhelming, you may benefit from getting in touch with a reputable real estate lawyer.
Alongside helping to complete all the relevant contract information, these professionals can help you learn more about your respective area and support you as you choose a premise for your next business venture. Despite the benefits associated with these lawyers, you should also keep in mind that they can be quite expensive to hire, which is a key thing to note when forming your bakery shop business plan. As such, Clever Real Estate explains that business owners should expect to pay $150-$800 per hour for these services.
2. Refine the Exterior of Your Building
Although many of us do not give it a second thought, the exterior of a building is one of its significant assets. This is because this is usually the first thing patrons see as they approach your establishment, so you must keep the outside of your bakery shop in good condition for the sake of your bakery shop business plan. If your exterior is teeming with cracks and is generally looking a bit worse for wear, it may be time to call in a professional who can offer a comprehensive siding installation.
Siding is available in a ton of different colors and styles and is used to protect the exterior of your bakery from flying pieces of debris as well as standard wear and tear. But, despite their durability, they don’t last forever and normally have to be replaced every 10–20 years. Lawn Starter notes that this process tends to cost anywhere between $5,630 to $17,388, with the national average sitting at $10,693.
3. Protect Your Store Against Harsh Weather Conditions
If you’re running a bakery in a region that is prone to immense storms, you must include a series of protective services in your comprehensive bakery shop business plan. Though there’s not much you can do to stop these conditions, you’re encouraged to have an array of resources and services at your disposal so that you can keep your business up and running, regardless of the circumstances. For example, if you’ve experienced a hefty flood, it’s best that you get in touch with a collection of water removal services as soon as possible.
During this process, a trained contractor will strive to extract as much water as possible using an assortment of high-end technology and equipment. As such, this is especially beneficial for those who live in rural areas and are keen to extend the longevity of their bakery for many years to come. Angi informs us that this procedure commonly costs an average of $3,638, which is a relatively reasonable price to pay for an emergency service.
4. Make the Most Out of Your Outdoor Space
If you’re fortunate to have a lot of outdoor space attached to your bakery, you must utilize it as much as possible. Whether you decide to sprinkle this space with an assortment of adorable flower beds or implement a quaint children’s play area, you should strive to optimize this area as much as possible so that you can produce a communal and inviting environment for your patrons to enjoy. For those who want to add a ton of chic outdoor seating to their establishment, consider getting in touch with a highly-regarded commercial construction company so that you can receive a helping hand.
These contractors can help to implement a wealth of picnic tables and seating arrangements throughout your outdoor environment, allowing your customers to kick back and relax as they delve into a selection of delicious baked goods. They can also work to secure these assets in place so that they don’t get swept up by the wind or damaged by the rain. Though Utilities One states that this service will typically set you back around $50 to $200 an hour, it should be noted that this is a suitable resource for those looking to add a few off-beat elements to their bakery shop business plan.
5. Set an Effective Budget
Though it can be tempting to want to splash the cash at any given moment, this type of irresponsibility can wreak havoc on your bakery shop business plan. Thus, it’s more beneficial to set a strict budget in the initial stages of developing your business so that you don’t fail at the first stage of your growth. Yet, if you have already established your bakery and budget but still notice that your enterprise is losing considerable amounts of money, you may benefit from hiring a series of parcel audit services to help you learn where you’re going wrong.
This process allows businesses to better assess their invoices so that they can catch any billing errors or payment mishaps before they develop into something a lot more consequential. In turn, you can see if you’re being overcharged or if you should find an alternative supplier for your most sought-after goods. A lot of this software can also be tried for free, making this a very lucrative resource for those looking to work within the confines of their budget without having to spend any extra cash.
6. Prepare for Emergencies
When it comes to running a bakery, every day is different. As such, although you may not be able to control or halt everything that comes your way, you must work alongside a suitable insurance agency so that you can easily cover the cost of any damages made during these unexpected situations. Though many business owners could easily find an insurance provider that best suits the nuances of their bakery shop business plan, hiring an insurance agent can help you differentiate between a lot of options available on the market.
Therefore, these professionals can help you find an ideal coverage policy for your enterprise, which can also ensure that you don’t end up paying for things that won’t necessarily support your business. Employer notes that these agents typically work on a commission of 10%-25% of the base premium amount. Plus, the source also notes that although these fees depend greatly on your business, where you live, and the type of insurance you need, the average rate is usually 15%.
7. Produce Some Corporate Merchandise
For those who are working alongside a devoted workforce, one way to motivate them even more is to create a selection of corporate merchandise. This could include making a set of customized uniforms for them to wear regularly or gifting them a mug with the company logo on it. Regardless of the type of items you choose, it’s best that you take these ideas to a local custom printing shop so that you can receive some more professional advice and guidance on the matter.
These workers are trained to transform your initial concepts into attractive designs, ensuring that they can fit any piece of merchandise as needed. Although some people may think that this is a very exuberant service to add to their bakery shop business plan, it’s actually a lot more affordable than you may think. Clutch states that these companies usually charge $100-$149 per hour, which is pretty cheap considering that they mainly focus on artisan products and services.
8. Create a Set of Attractive Flyers
If you pride yourself on the overall look and appeal of your baked goods, you must promote these assets through a range of visual marketing services. Though you may benefit from renting out a vast billboard, this may not be a viable option for your humble high street bakery. Thus, you should consider printing an array of inviting flyers to help promote your business to the local community. These assets should be crafted with a considerable amount of skill and care, making sure not to overcrowd the images or fill the page with too much information.
If you’re keen to carry out this tactic on a budget, you could design these flyers for yourself and then print them out using a standard piece of equipment. But, if you’re looking to take this idea to the next level, it’s advised that you collaborate with a professional printing company. Printing New York states that this service normally costs anywhere between $0.10 to $1 per flyer. Thus, this could be seen as a very cost-effective investment to add to your bakery shop business plan as it can help you spread information about your business without having to spend valuable time and effort on word-of-mouth marketing or direct selling.
9. Promote Your Bakery Shop on Social Media
Social media marketing is an immensely effective resource for just about any type of business, so you’re bound to find success with this medium in your own bakery shop business plan. Whether you choose to create engaging posts on Facebook or produce fun short-form content on TikTok, all of this work helps to showcase the merits of your bakery to potential customers in your local area. Plus, this is also a strategy for bakeries as customers cannot taste these products themselves through a screen, but the business owners can still show off their latest creations to help attract a selection of new audience bases.
Even if you don’t consider yourself to be very tech-savvy, you can still reap the benefits of this type of marketing by hiring a social media marketing manager to help create work on your behalf. These workers can also be hired online on a freelance basis, making it easier than ever for you to find the best content marketing agency for your needs and budget. Although these experts can be quite expensive to work with, as Planable explains that they usually cost $500 to $5,000 per month, they can be a lifeline for those who want to finally make their mark on the bustling world of social media.
10. Launch an Opening Day Event
Once you’re finally ready to open your doors to the public, you should strive to make it a big deal. Alongside hiring a team of photographers to capture the special moments of this day, you could also benefit from hiring a group of caterers. Even if you prefer to produce all of your baked goods on your own, a catering team can help you craft products on a much larger scale, allowing them to be sampled by a vast assortment of potential customers.
These workers can also help to prepare and serve a selection of drinks and appetizers, which is useful to keep in mind if you’re eager to give your opening day event an added touch of glamour and decadence. According to Fresh Books, these services aim to charge $2-$6 per person, making this a fitting addition to the last stage of your bakery shop business plan.
Running a bakery is filled with highs and lows and if you don’t have a strong understanding of your respective market, you risk falling behind the competition. Yet, by making use of the right resources and services, you have the chance to help your business grow from strength to strength. Thus, if you’re eager to improve your bakery shop business plan, consider implementing some of the tips and tricks discussed throughout this article.
