To market, to market....and so it begins

'Bake cakes and garden.'  This is my standard response if anyone asks me what I would want to do with my time if I wan't doing my real job.  So today, I got off my butt and kick started a side project that will move me in that direction.

The market stall 'Duckie Row' was born.  The concept is simple (for now), 5 types of cupcakes and 2 types of biscuit at our fortnightly town market.

Now I have been in business before, and for a number of reasons, have heeded the siren call of a regular paycheck.  This goal of this project is not to replace that, it is a bit of fun, with hopefully some profit.  It is a chance to do somethings I love, bake and talk to people.  It is also a great way to get my girls involved and teach them the basics of entrepreneurship

I am prepared to sink $1,000 into the set up.  

So here is what I've done:

1. Googled the market I am targeting to find out the requirements, turned out I needed to be registered as a food business with the Health Department as well as have my own Public Liability insurance. I will need to apply for a Stallholder licence fee ($13) as well as vehicle permit ($26.50) so I don't have to lug my cakes from one end of the mall to the other.
2. Googled registering as a food business, turned out I needed to have my own ABN (Australian Business Number) before I could do this, also I need to give it a month for them to assess my application.
3. Googled registering for an ABN, turns out the registration is linked to my tax records which still have my married name, despite me filing taxes under my reclaimed maiden name for 2 years grrrrrrrrrrr.  All ended out OK and I got the ABN in the right name.
4. Back to registering as a food business, turns out the proposed business is assessed as low risk, paid the $51.00 fee, waiting on the approval - fingers crossed.
5. Googled the public liability insurance.  AAMI has a pretty sweet deal for public liability and product liability for market stalls for $275/year.  Decided to wait until I have the other pieces in play prior to taking out the insurance, no point insuring something that isn't a going concern.
6. Went to K-town for a bit of a fossick around for the pretty things.  Discovered I'll need:
• 4 x Storage containers @ $12 each ($48)
• 2 x Extra large white table cloths @ $12 each ($24)
• 6 x Mint, round placemats @ $1.50 each ($9)
• Printed sheet set @ $19
• 3 x Rectangle woven baskes @ $4 ($12)
• 3 x Oval shaped table signs @ $4 ($12)
• Letter board @ $14
• String lights @ $12

All up, even though it's not spent, so far there are costed $515.50 worth of set up costs.  Still need the canopy/gazebo, table and a couple of chairs.  I'll also need gloves, packaging, aprons, and the market fee.  At this point though, feeling confident I can do it in the budget set.

So until next time, adieu.

L