Iowa Home Based Bakeries: Know Your Facts

So it came up today about being licensed & insured as a home food vendor. I AM! I got my food license before I even opened. I am also insured. It is important to me to run my business the right way. From the 1st idea I had in doing this I started my research. I am proud to be both, do they cost me money....yes. How is it not worth it though!

Now here are some crazy facts about the rules in Iowa. As a home bakery I don't need a food license. You need one to resell your products (like to NWG or Fareway). So keep in mind when you buy from a home bakery, there are NO regulations for them to be inspected. A ton can go on in that kitchen that you don't know about. Food illnesses are not hard to create.

Home bakeries are plenty in Iowa, I see new ones pop up all the time. What makes me cringe is there are no inspectors going into these homes. No one to see the conditions people are making these baked goods. Do they have a door to keep pets out, is the refrigerator the right temp to keep milk & egg products fresh, did they change a diaper on the counter (ok gross but you get my point)????? If you get inspected you offer your home at any point for another inspection besides your annual to renew.

Know your facts and be picky about who you buy from......you wouldn't eat dinner at a place you knew didn't pass the inspection. Don't buy baked goods from someone just because they are cheap, or new, or you know them. If they don't have a food license & insurance question their ability to be serious about their business.

Elaina

Love is in the Air

Wow it is our 1st Valentine's Day & it's fun!! I love how everyone is excited to give the perfect give to show their loved one how much they mean to them. It's mushy & overdone sometimes but its the best! I am that person always wanting to get the perfect gift, its better than getting anything for me just seeing the face of who is getting it. So onto the news of the month!!

1. Valentine's Day Specials: Mix & Match 6 pack for $9.00. This includes chocolate with either chocolate or strawberry frosting, almond, or red velvet. You can get directly through me OR order through Northwest Greenhouse's NEW website if you need flowers too. Flowers & cupcakes are a pretty good combo!

http://www.nwgreenhouse.com/

2. February 11th we will be at the Purple Crow for Birthday Saturday!! If your birthday is in February you get 10% off your order. Great place to support a local small business AND get your Valentine's Day gift.

3. February 11th we will also be at Miss Emmalynn's Vendor Fair/Bake Sale. Money will help the family during their upcoming medical expenses. To find out more click the link below. Cupcakes will be donated for the bake sale by us along with many other great people!!

http://www.facebook.com/groups/247154461985268/#!/events/348834831793828/

4. This hasn't been released......we will be also be at the Boone Homeshow February 24-25th! There will be a food & wine vendor area with samples & info on each business. More info to come later!!

This is an exciting month and next month is our 1 year anniversary!!! Thank you for all your support & check out our facebook page!
Elaina

Where Has the Time Gone???

I haven't blogged since October....bad I know. The holidays flew by this year and we are already almost through the 1st month of the year. I hope to have a bunch going on this year so lets go through the goals so far.

1. We updated the website! Click on the pictures to make larger, took out the cookies (right now not a focus) & redid the cupcake tab to break down regular cupcakes & specialty. Take a look around!
www.sweetsandsmilesbakery.com

2. I am working on a real business plan. Makes me feel like I am in school again! I hope to turn this into some funding to go towards the store front. It is in the beginning stage planning & I would love to say this year it is going to happen.....we'll see!

3. Update cupcake line by a bunch. I have tons of crazy ideas in my head for new cupcakes but finding the time to get them all made & adjusted takes some work. Now taste testers is the easy part!

4. Add on some marketing besides Facebook. Going to start doing some mailers & email specials so make sure to email me with you info & birthday. Might turn into a yummy treat!!

So this is all for now, will try to do a better job at this updating thing....
Elaina

Support your Community

There has been a lot of talk in Boone this week about businesses closing. About Boone becoming a a ghost town. Well we really need to do something about it. We need to make it a priority to keep our business in town. Support those shops downtown, The Purple Crow, Holly's, ect. They are here for a reason because they want to be not because a corporate decision was made to put them in our town.

Small businesses are great. They know their customers, give you a little one on one & can provide great support for the community. The reason I have taken this to heart a little more lately is due to starting the bakery. The main goal for me is to have a store front. I would LOVE to open in Boone but my concern is if it would be supported. I love the idea of what could be in downtown Boone, what could our community be & what could my business be.

Walk through downtown this weekend & take advantage of the cute shops there now. For some great deals on our local businesses listen to the KWBG fall auction Thursday & Friday & just support your Boone businesses.

Elaina

Think Pink in October!!!

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month which means Sweets & Smiles Bakery needs to get involved! In October 10% of all orders will be donated to the Breast Cancer Foundation.

We will be having a limited time cupcake just for the month & everyone that orders will be put in a drawing for a great prize! As always if you would like to donate click on the link below.

Thank you for all the support I get from my great customers!
Elaina

Sweet & Smiles Breast Cancer Awareness Fundraiser

Giving Back to Good Causes

As a business owner I feel it is good to give back to different causes. One of my main ones is Operation Baking Gals. I feel this is a great organization because it says thank you to the men and women overseas giving their time and freedom for a bigger cause.

You don't have to agree with the war or start a debate on politics because those people are over there regardless. Every box that is send over gives them a little reminder of home and a smile. That is all I am hoping for, to brighten their day.

This month we are baking and collecting donations for Logan. He is in Afganistan and has volunteered for deployment again. That is pretty selfless of him to do. It not only puts him in harms way again but is taking him away from his family and friends. On top of that their units luggage was hijacked so all their personal toiletries, ect are gone.

I will be sending boxes on September 6th. I have a few donations at this point but lets make this unit really smile and show them a big Iowa thank you!

Calling All Businesses!!!! And Other Happenings....

We have a cupcake special going on Aug 25-Sept 16th. Any businesses that place an order for their staff OR to share with customers will get a 25% discount.

Regular size or minis are a great thank you and are sure to get a smile.


We have some fun stuff going on right now.....when we hit 150 facebook likes we will be giving away 2 $25.00 gift cards. We are also doing a donation drive for Operation Baking Gals. In September we will be shipping to Logan. Logans unit got their luggage hijacked and there for not only love baked goods but toiletries also. Let send as many boxed over for the men & women to share. Any donations will get a 10% discount card for a future order. Not sure what to donate.......get to talking on the fb page or email me!

Fall is around the corner and the weather cooling off. Keep an eye out for some new fall flavors to be making it into the line up!!