So what is a timeline for starting a bakery?
Well… For starters, it means collecting all the information from your thoughts. Asking you questions? Very personal questions!
I can do this?
Do I have enough experience?
Is my family on board with this company?
Do I have to do everything alone?
Am I ready to put my dreams and desires ahead?
Can I put my business first before everything else?
Do I have enough money to carry myself out?
There are many, many, more questions to ask yourself, but only you can ask them and once those personal questions are answered, it’s time to create your business plan. That business plan goes back to asking more questions and gathering more information from many different sources.
Once compiled, it should be installed into that business plan.
The timeline for starting a bakery can be anywhere from a few days to several months and even years. But, once it starts, the ending is usually very satisfying and quite rewarding. At least it has been for me. And while I never started out as a baker in 1955, I’ve certainly enjoyed the 53 years I’ve been a bakery employee in my life and owner of The Crusty Cottage Bakery.
Now, given those years of experience and the knowledge gained in those years, it gives me great pleasure to show others what and how much I enjoyed my craft.
Maybe I suggest you budget your time. This can be your timeline for starting a bakery.
Today buy a notebook or notepad, start writing down your thoughts and ideas.
Tomorrow, check out other bakeries in your area. Look to see which side of the street your market is coming from. What other businesses are nearby that can complement the bakery or type of bakery business you plan on?
Check their quality and prices. Look at your decor and company color schemes.
Start compiling your business plan. It doesn’t have to be perfect or in the right order at this stage, but it’s worth cataloging it in different folders for easy access.
Give yourself six weeks to compile the business plan.
Find a suitable location to locate your business during all aspects of your timeline.
You want a realistic timeline for starting a bakery. So don’t think you can start in a day if you’re starting from scratch. You also don’t want to leave anything for tomorrow or next week. That is a sure way to fail.
The old saying “Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today” is very true.
If you are purchasing an existing bakery, your timeline for starting your bakery will be one to three months from start to finish.
The paperwork must be seen by an attorney and an accountant. Discuss with them the legal and accounting ramifications of this new business.
Do not pay anyone money until you or your lawyer have done your due diligence (just a word to explain the investigations).
Believe in yourself first, then look at all the information and decide your next move.
By looking at all the selling bakery numbers and by your own commitment, you will decide one way or another what the timeline for starting a bakery will be.