I am currently a senior in high school and it is my dream to own a bakery. I have thought about this very thoroughly and I know that this is the job for me. There is a problem though. I have no idea where to begin. If some of you guys on here are experienced in this sort of career, it would be great if you could fill me in on a few things. I need all the info I can get. I need to know what I should be learning in school and all that good stuff. If it wouldn't trouble you guys too much, it would amazing! Thank you for your time.

First you should decide if you want to sell only baked goods, or also include things like coffee or sandwiches. You'd need to save up enough to rent a place or get a loan from the bank. Advertise the opening online or buy an ad in a newspaper to attract attention.

In school, you should learn as much as you can about cooking and food preparation, obviously. Taking a business class or accounting would help in managing your store, as well as any other business related class. If you're going to decorate cakes and other pastries, art may be a good choice to consider as well.

Good luck, hope I helped.

If i owned a bakery I would devote my life to making Ja-pan.

I say first work at a bakery. Just so you know how it like and you can change your mind after working there. If you still decide to own a bakery, look for a baking and pastry school or at less a culinary school(even through it more about cooking than baking it will give you a leg up)that you can afford. Save up your money and DON'T get a big loan from a bank or investor. Decide what baked goods you want to do and make some of them stand out. Here a warning: The first 3 years will make or break your business.

The only reason why I know this is I am a culinary arts school in college and I have to make a business plan of a "fake" business I was going to do. If you want to know more about me look at "Any real Dollar Chefs or Culinary students" thread.

I am a senior in high school. I'm going to college to study the baking and pastry arts. I plan on opening my own cafe/bakery. I'm going to make everything imaginable. Cakes, cookies, brownies, muffins, cupcakes, drinks, etc.

I'd suggest getting a business degree or teaming up with someone who's good at business. This will allow you to keep the bakery when you do get it. If you know nothing about the business side of business bad things happen.

That's true. I might take a business management class while in college. Or maybe I should just get someone to handle all of that for me. I think that the class would be more logical though. I can't wait till I graduate though!

>>6>>7 That is a somewhat bad idea because a partnership can end up badly and destroy a business.
>>7 If you going to have a partner, make sure you both have a lawyer each and come up with something with the lawyers so the business will stay strong for the future.

it was just a thought. I have no intention of sharing my business with someone else.

Personally I would say find a culinary school that offers Baking and Pastry classes, maybe even go for an associates for it. While in school get a job at a bakery. NEVER under estimate learning the tricks of the trade. I am a certified baker and I'm telling you, SCHOOL WILL HELP! Yes you can learn for internet searches, books, the food network and such, but you wont get the pressure of working with people, listening to chef, learning to order, clean properly, work smarter not harder, and working fast and clean with out working in a bakery and/or going to school. I greatly recommend both.

In the mean time, buy a car or get an apartment to build credit for better loans, save as much money as you can, and make as many connection with people in the food industry as you can. The food industry is just as much as much as the good food you make as the people you know! Trust me.

Heyyyyyyyyyyy

I have decided that I do want to own my own bakery. I plan on selling cupcakes, muffins, cakes, cookies, brownies, cheesecakes, chocolates, candies, truffles, etc. It's gonna be amazing. I'm thinking about calling it the Crescent Moon Cafe

i wish a had a bakery as well, if you would like to talk to me about a bakery reply because i love food in general but a bakery would be awesome

>>1 not sure if you're still working towards this dream, but I have a fair knowledge of business and am certified for Personal Finance, currently taking classes for business finance, and next year to round out the business course. On top of that, I have also obtained certification for Specialist-level use of most of Microsoft Office 2010, and will be finishing the Suite this year. Maybe I could provide a few tips?

Good luck!! I know you'll be able to get it one day!!!

Well I hope you'll achieve your dream.. Just don't give up

>>6>>7>>10 I recommend culinary school and learn as much as you can about managing a business with sole proprietorship or partnership when the time comes. Learning about business management is a must. Best of luck to you.

You can do it ! Good luck !

And I agree with what Meister says about recommendations