Hey there, sweet friend!
👋 Whether you’re whisk-deep in custom orders or just flirting with the idea of turning your oven obsession into income, you’ve landed in the right kitchen.
If you’re new here, I’m Marcia — your baking cheerleader, sugar-slinging educator, and founder of Marcia’s Munchies NJ and SweetTube Academy. I’m a cookie-decorating, cake-sculpting, Canva-loving entrepreneur who’s helped home bakers go from hobbyist to hustler with a cottage license and a waitlist. So grab your favorite drink (Pepsi, if you’re like me 😉), and let’s chat about how to build a home bakery biz that’s legal, loved, and lucrative.
WHO’S YOUR BAKING BESTIE?
Spoiler alert: It’s me. 😄 But not just because I love to talk piping bags and packaging hacks. I’m here because I’ve lived the journey — from making allergy-safe cakes for my son to selling custom treats from my kitchen counter, to teaching others how to do the same.
My mission? To help you turn your passion into profit without losing the joy in your baking. This blog, this channel, this whole baking biz world we’re building together — it’s designed to give you the tools, encouragement, and know-how to make it happen.
LET’S START WHERE YOU ARE
Maybe you’ve already filed your NJ Cottage Food paperwork and you’re officially open for business. Woo hoo! 🎉 Or maybe you’re still dreaming and scribbling down recipe ideas between bedtime and laundry. Wherever you are, there’s room for you here.
Let’s talk about what it really takes to grow a home bakery. Spoiler: It’s not just baking amazing cookies (though that definitely helps). You need exposure, strategy, and a pinch of grit. You also need the kind of support that makes you feel like you’re not doing this alone — because you’re not.
KNOW YOUR LAWS & FIND YOUR LANE
Every state has its own rules when it comes to selling food from home. In Jersey, we’ve got some pretty sweet cottage food laws — but make sure you read up on your local regs before that first cupcake leaves your kitchen. (I’ve got a whole YouTube episode and checklist on this if you need a hand!)
Once you’re legit, it’s time to think about how you want to operate:
-
Custom Orders: Cakes, cookies, cupcakes… made-to-order and oh-so-extra.
-
Markets: Table setup goals and serious foot traffic.
-
Pre-sales: Treat drops that sell out faster than fresh donuts at Sunday brunch.
Pick one. Or two. But don’t try to do everything at once. Focus = freedom. And sanity.
GET YOUR NAME OUT THERE — FOR REAL
Nobody can buy from you if they don’t know you exist, boo. You’ve gotta be loud about it — tastefully, of course. Here’s how:
🧁 Social Media Is Your Storefront
Start with Facebook and Instagram. Separate biz from personal (Aunt Cathy doesn’t need to see 400 photos of your cookie pops). Post your work. Engage. Use those hashtags. And make sure your bio tells folks exactly what you do.
🎟 Label EVERYTHING
QR codes on boxes, business cards in every order, branded stickers, cute packaging — all of it matters. Make it easy for people to follow you and re-order.
💌 Get in Their Hands (and Bellies)
Bake freebies for local salons, firehouses, schools, realtors. Introduce yourself and leave behind labeled samples and cards. A single cookie can lead to a $500 cake order — I’ve seen it happen.
🎉 Flash Sales & Sample Giveaways
Perfect for slow weeks or when you’re testing new recipes. Give away a few goodies in exchange for a review or share. Bonus: it keeps your followers watching and wondering what’s next.
DON’T SLEEP ON LOCAL LOVE 💕
People want to support small, local, woman-owned, homegrown businesses — especially ones with drool-worthy desserts. If you’re near a college, military base, or bustling mom group, tap in.
✨ Pro Tip: Mom groups are the holy grail of custom order clients. Think birthdays, baby showers, PTA events… get in those comments and show them why you’re the baker to book.
MAKE A MARKETING BUDGET (EVEN A TINY ONE)
You don’t need to spend a fortune to grow your biz, but you do need to spend something. Even $50/month on targeted social ads, branded packaging, or samples is a worthy investment. You’ll earn it back — and then some — when your calendar fills up.
And don’t worry: once your name is out there and the referrals start rolling in, your marketing will do itself.
READY, SET, GROW! 🚀
Building a bakery from home is so much more than making sweets — it’s storytelling, branding, strategy, and community connection all rolled into one delicious package.
Your mission this week? Pick one idea from this post and do it. Bake a batch for a local business, update your social bio, or drop off labeled samples to your child’s school. Then come back and tell me how it went — because I want to celebrate every sweet win with you.
💌 Join the SweetTube Fam!
Subscribe to my newsletter and never miss a new post, freebie, or insider baking biz tip. I’ll be in your inbox once a week, cheering you on with recipes, resources, and maybe even a few cookie puns. 😉
