I am thinking of starting a small/home business for busy working moms and dads...I want to prepare birthday presents for parents for their children's parties...I don't know how many times I have heard my friends complain that they have no time to leave work, and go buy a birthday present for their daughter or son to have for a party that they were invited to!!
All the parents would have to do is call me, tell me the age and gender of child, any likes or dislikes, and I would either have present ready or deliver it to their house or party site....
I also thought about dabbling into potluck preparation...I would make a casserole, dish, whatever and have it ready for pick-up in the morning for someone to take to a work party/potluck.
I need input! Please!
Amy O

Amy O

Hi Amy:

I think the party present idea is wonderful! I think that the potluck idea is great too but you may not be able to sell food unless it's cooked in a health department approved kitchen (you'd have to check with your local health department or county officials about licensing requirements). But, your present idea you could start now.

I know, now more then ever, you have all kinds of busy parents.

I would recommend that you take a deposit on gifts though to make sure you're not going completely out of pocket and then depending on payment later.

Good luck!

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Have you done any test marketing with parents in your neighborhood?

I just asked my wife about if she would use a service like that and she said it would depend on how busy she was and what the cost was... You never know...you might have a winner.

Best of luck

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Chiming in on both ideas...

The gift idea is great. I have a 16 yr old sweet sixteen coming up and no idea what to give her nor any time to shop even if I did.

The cooking food idea...

You will need more than just a kitchen.

You will have to have your own food handling permit, a keep cold permit and you will NOT be allowed to use your own home freezer, although having one separate from and dedicated to your business may be allowed.

If you're going to go so far as doing the "potluck" platter for pickup, why not just offer frozen dinners that the family can pick up drop in the oven when they get home and eat 45 minutes later? I don't know that the potluck idea will sufficiently generate the profits to pay for the licenses and fees that you will have to deal with.

I will also warn you ahead of time, if your meals/platters are vegetarian, you'll have a lower level of rules and guidelines to follow and a lot less fees and licences than if you offer meat.

Ultimately, at that rate... why not simply cater birthday parties as well?

Tina Brooks, VP Marketing
Brooks Pepperfire Foods, Inc.
Makers of Peppermaster Hot Sauces
http://www.peppermaster.com

Eat more peppers!