PART 2- starting my own dog treat business

[111ex111]

okay so I posted a thread on here a couple of weeks ago talking about planning to start my own dog treat business

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=566268&highlight=starting+business

So after lots of hard work from my chief tasters I have found a recepie that works well and is pretty cheap to make- Peanut butter & carrot.

I've got the packaging, done the costing and all i've got to do is edit the labels a bit.

so what next?!

I have been giving some packs away to friends and they all seem really impressed. someone told me to go into pet shops, dog friendly pubs, that sort of thing and ask if they would put some on their counter to sell for a %.

Seems like a good idea but would I need to register as a business?? get the treats checked for health and safety?? pay tax etc?? I really have NO idea!

My mum's friend is running a coffee morning for a dog rescue so I think thats the first place I will sell them because its pretty easy/simple.

I need help!!!

 

[bobajob]

Have you thought of making Birthday/Christmas cakes for Dog's as well as Cat's? Out of pet friendly ingredients.
Good Luck and I wish you well!

 

[Calcyle]

Yepp, you'll need to register as self-employed with HMRC.

https://www.gov.uk/browse/business/setting-up - This is a good place to start - sole trader should be suitable for you, and then just keep reading.

Check with local authority if you need a licence of some sort as it's pet food- I saw someone on the MoneySavingExpert forums asking about something similar, and a licence was mentioned, but I don't know the details.

I'm hoping to set up my own business too in the near future, so been doing a lot of reading about it recently. Good luck!