An Idea for a Small Business You Can Start

Start-up costs range $50 to $500,000+, earnings $5,000 to $2,000,000++, skills from knowing nothing to running an airline. Bon appetit!

SELLING A FAMILY RECIPE

Start-up cost: $1,000 - $10,000

Potential earnings: $100,000+

Advertising: Rent booths at food trade shows; send direct mail with samples to specialty food retailers and suppliers.

Equipment needed: Kitchen and cooking equipment, computer with billing and order processing/inventory software.

WHAT YOU DO
If people rave over your special condiments or brownies, cookies, or cakes made from recipes that have been handed down in your family, you may have a speciality food that will bring you profits. You must, of course, make sure the recipe was not taken from a copyrighted source.

Your food item has to be unique to compete with big companies that can spend millions on research, development, and marketing.

You will need to design a food label and packaging. You will also need a food handler's license and other permits, as well as Food and Drug Administration approval if you plan to ship the food via mail order.

Excerpted with permission from "101 Best Home-Based Businesses for Women" by Priscilla Y. Huff. Published by Prima Publishing. For more on this and 100 other great businesses you can start, Buy the book now or ask for it at your favorite bookstore. You can also call (800) 632-8676 www.primapublishing.com

Ideas for a Small Business You Can Start Classics