Well, God started a seed of a thought and it is starting to really take off. I want to share it with you, ask for any advice if you have done something similar and anything else you can suggest about it.
My idea? We are in an area full of teens! They get out of school and hang around the streets all afternoon/evening. What does every teen want as soon as they get home from school? FOOD! Hot, fresh baked cookies, muffins, breads, brownies, and candy. And maybe some hot chocolate since it is so cold out. My mom and my in-laws have given me lots of ideas and I have talked it over with a teen girl who has been coming every afternoon to help with Dillon's program. The teen girl thinks it would be a great hit!
Here are the specifics that I am thinking right now...
- Only be "open" from 3-4, if it is a big hit maybe from 3-5
- Each day of the week would be a specific thing (Chocolate chip cookies, brownies, banana bread, blueberry muffins, and ?? Not sure on the 5th one yet - any suggestions? If I can find soft pretzels to warm up maybe that, if not I don't know yet.)
- Everyday I could have hot chocolate and/or mochas (adding instant coffee to hot chocolate - I do this often in the mornings and it is good!)
- Everyday I could have chocolate dipped pretzel rods
- Everyday I could have other molded chocolates (example: bite size chocolate with fresh ground coffee on top - I have made these before and they are good! and chocolate in the shapes of the seasonal holidays)
- My mom suggested maybe carmel apples
I have to price each thing but friends of my mom are doing the candy part of this and they say it is easy and they are making a decent amount. They sell two pretzel rods for .50. I could decorate some with a different color chocolate drizzled over them or sprinkles or mini chocolate chips or, or, or the possibilities are endless!
Okay - so please let me know if you think this is something that is a good idea considering the area we live in. Many of the teens don't go home after school b/c no parent is home - so no mom home to make them hot baked goodies. Some of the kids at the high school have to eat lunch at 10am in order to get everybody in so they are hungry when they get out at 3pm!
Please leave any suggestions for me. Any advice, warnings, precautions, etc. I need some input!!
You can email me at tiffanykuenzi@gmail.com
Thanks!
5 comments:
Ohhhhh I love the idea!! It seems like it wouldn't cost you much at first and kids love that stuff!! What an opportunity also to build relationships with them and be someone they look forward to seeing!! Here is something to ADD to what you've already thought of...what about having a couple of "gift baskets" of baked goodies for Christmas gifts or whatever gifts for them to purchase for friends or family? YOu can get nice baskets for 1.00 at the dollar store. I will pray with you on this, will you let us know how it goes?! Another cheap goody is rice krispie treats...most kiddos LOVE them! and they're cheap!
Tiffany,
Sounds like a good idea to make money. But check with local laws first because food preparation normally has lots of regulations. (Licensing, preparation standards, inspections, etc.) Also, if you're renting, check with your landlord. Some leases prohibit any or most home-based businesses. Check your renter's/homeowner's insurance policy as you may need additional liability insurance. Finally, if you have a tax preparer or accountant check with them for what information you'll need to file your taxes and to see how to best lower your tax liability.
Good luck with it!
Thanks for the comments!
Wendy - I love the rice crispy treat idea! I am going to start next Monday with chocolate covered pretzels and hot chocolate and ask them what they think they would like me to bake.
QuitingB29 - Thanks for the advice and for commenting on my blog. Just wondering - can you tell me how you know us? I checked out your blog but couldn't figure out who you are. :-)
I'm the one on FAR w/ your mom :-). I sent you an email last night as well. I wasn't sure which you'd check first.
Hey Tiffany! Thanks for visiting my blog and for commenting! I finally gave in to the "blog world" :-) I am enjoying it! So this sounds like a neat idea you have. Just curious...Would you have the kids come inside your house and hang out there once they get their treats? Or would you have everything on the front porch? I just don't want anyone to take advantage of you, and perhaps steal stuff when your back is turned :S (I know, I am soooo optimistic!)
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