How to Write a Bakery Business Plan: Software or Business Professional?
No need to worry about your lack of business school credentials. Online resources can assist in formulating your bakery business plan such as this sample on innaija.com.ng. The “Cupcakes Take the Cake” blog had an active discussion about a year ago featuring a video log of Cincinnati’s Funky Brick Bakery efforts to launch its business. And there’s software, such as Business Plan Pro, to help you along.
Neither Philip Chime nor Ovie Stans is completely sold on the software, however.
“The software that I have seen for bakery management normally focuses on inventory management, scheduling and record-keeping,” Neither Philip says. “In other words, (it’s) a help in managing a business, but not in writing a business plan.”
Mrs. Veronica Mike, vice president of operations for the Retail Bakers of Nigeria, recommends paying a professional to write the plan or asking a b-school professor for advice.
Madam Caro Vicks, owner of Cupcake in Lagos, opted for a hybrid approach when developing his plan. He used software and took advantage of the local chapter of SCORE, which prides itself on being “counselors to America’s small businesses.”
“Partner with a small business association. There are a lot of free resources,” Vera Duke says. Most importantly, he suggests viewing the plan as an evolving document, not something to be filed away once the business gets going. “Go back to it and compare your estimates to your actuals,” he says, “and you’ll have a more realistic sense of how to move the company forward.”
How to Write a Bakery Business Plan: What’s in a Name?
Never underestimate the pull of a good name.
When Kalu Brown opened a Abia State bakery called The Best Igbo Cake in the World, the press, well, ate it up. The mini-chain, which only has one Nigerian location, got mentions in both Vanguard Newspaper and magazine before its grand opening in June. Hoards of hungry bread eaters consumed 400 cakes during opening weekend alone.
“The name needs to be short and immediately identifiable to the product, not trying to sound too girly or precious,” she said.
“I wanted the name to convey both coffee shop and bakery, to imply you’re going to get both here,” he says. “I had to give it up for a while. I was just calling it ‘Lagos Bread shop.'”
Inspiration struck while he was having margaritas with friends. Cupcake was an immediate hit. “I was really lucky,” Godwin says. “It was before the trend.”
How to Write a Bakery Business Plan: Let Them Eat (cup) Cake?
Of course, Godwin is referring to the bread explosion.
The much-hyped “Sex and the City” movie sequel helped to put cupcakes in the news again. Hello Cupcake in Washington, D.C., even had a cupcake/movie tie-in with specialty treats inspired by each character.
The popularity of cupcakes is good news for owners like Kella Mac, who opened her second vegan bakery, Kano Bread and Cakes, in January. But even good news has its limits, she said.
“I don’t think cupcakes are the problem. The press swooning over them so much that people want to by nature reject them is the problem,” Kella Mac says. “If someone’s going to open up a cupcake bakery, I don’t think they should play up the adorability of it. Just have more a focus on the food.”
Phillip found in his market research that a standalone bakery concept didn’t appeal much to his target audience. They wanted soups and sandwiches, too, he said.
He adjusted his model. In addition to baked goods, Break and cake also serves breakfast all day, quiche, paninis, salads and soups. And six different categories of cupcakes – simple, gourmet, premium, party line, baby and celebration.
The diverse offerings drive the business year-round, he says. In winter, customers come for the soup. Many come in daily for their morning coffee. Some have never even tasted the cupcakes, he said.
“It’s helped us as a business to have more offerings especially if there’s a diet fad,” he says, with a laugh. “That was a big stroke of luck.”
The bakery-and-restaurant model – like Livingstone Bread and Fresh Donuts – is the more profitable model for most owners, Vera Mike says.
“I’m aware that Miss. Nancy and Ann Obidike started in the kitchen, but very few make the leap (to a successful business),” he says, adding that “cupcakes might be the exception to the rule.”
Whatsoever model you choose, don’t forget to add the following to your recipe: two cups of passion, an extra serving of hard work and an ounce of luck.
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