Starting a food stall for markets/events

[alecia]

Hi everyone!

I am new around here, and have been reading through the forums for the last hour or so. I am currently in the process of starting my own small business. My partner currently has his own business which sells popcorn, fairy floss, slushies and cold drinks out of a custom-built van. We managed to get this business up and running with a fairly minimal start up cost (probably around $5000 including the van). He was fortunate enough that the local council didn't require him to hold a food licence as everything we were selling was classed as confectionery (low risk) so that kept everything low.

Since doing this I have found I absolutely love serving people in this sense (I have gone from working in a busy retail environment to a non-busy retail environment), and I would love to start up my own business that can provide me with a little bit of pocket money (or more so a little bit of a savings account). I am not looking for a get rich quick scheme, but something that I am in charge of, that I can choose when I want to work, etc. This is in addition to my M-F full time job, so will be one day a week, or fortnight, however it works out.

My first thought was that I would love to run a baked potato van, but upon looking into it I have found the start up costs far exceed my current savings account, and I would prefer not to get a loan at this stage. So this lead me into Churros (long doughnut type things). My plan is to make a little bit of money from this, and use that money to purchase the equipment to sell baked potatoes.

I have priced most of the equipment and I can get it running equipment wise for well under $1000, and also have a small outlay for initial consumables.

My main problem (query) is that from there I am not too sure what to do for food licences etc. I KNOW I need to become a food supervisor, and I know I have to apply for a temporary food licence (as I will be under a marquee, not from a trailer) for any councils I wish to set up a stall in. I know I have to get public liability (although I am unsure who to contact, what to ask for, approx cost, etc).

What I don't know is anything else I might be missing?

Does anyone have some information/suggestions on where I should go from here? It's a little daunting at the present time, but very exciting aswell!

[FS Concierge]

Hi alecia,

Nice to meet you, and welcome to Flying Solo

Your enthusiasm for your new venture really shines through from your post and is quite contagious! I hope it all goes really well for you.

I'm not the right person to answer your questions, but I'm sure there'll be some folk around here who can advise you. If possible though, can you please post again to let us know where you're based? The answers may be different depending on what state or local area you're in.

All the best,
Jayne

[alecia]

Hi Jayne, thanks for your reply. I am very excited, and I am glad that is coming across!

I am in South East Queensland.

Originally Posted by FS Concierge

Hi alecia,

Nice to meet you, and welcome to Flying Solo

Your enthusiasm for your new venture really shines through from your post and is quite contagious! I hope it all goes really well for you.

I'm not the right person to answer your questions, but I'm sure there'll be some folk around here who can advise you. If possible though, can you please post again to let us know where you're based? The answers may be different depending on what state or local area you're in.

All the best,
Jayne

[MinzBeadz]

Hi alecia,

Firstly, welcome to Flying Solo

Whilst I only have a licence for Category 4 goods, I think the general process is much the same. The Dept of Health (or equivalent) in your state, or the local council or shire where your food premises business address is registered should have the appropriate forms and info for you.

I would assume that many of the major insurance companies have this type of insurance, however http://www.marketsandfairs.com.au/insurance.html might be a starting point, as they show some prices on their website (by the way, I am not affiliated with them in any way!).

I found the local council to be of most help - the health officer knows pretty much all that is required and generally has the info at his or her fingertips. It's at least a starting point, and may lead you to other areas if required.

Good luck with it all.

[alecia]

Thanks MinzBeadz! Your link has lead me to a wealth of information. I think I am getting myself more and more confused, but I will get through it all in the end and I can imagine a nice rainbow on the other side of all of this jumping through hoops.

Right now I am trying to work out how to register the business (I know HOW but I don't know WHERE to start!) I am thinking of a name that will leave me open to selling potatoes in the future and also working out what exactly I need to do to register the business (not just the name).

SO confused, SO excited, and I will SO get through all this confusion (but hopefully not the excitement)

[MinzBeadz]

Well good luck - when I started trying to get everything underway they were in the midst of changing the rules & regs - left hand didn't seem to know what the right hand was doing and each website had a different form to download & different info! Finally, my lovely local shire gave me the correct info and form and lots of help. Should have started there in the first place. Glad I don't need the insurance as well. A stall holder at a market last weekend was saying her registration cost $245 per year and her insurance cost the same, so that might be a guideline to costs for you (she has a hobby farm & makes & sells really yummy jams & chutneys so not sure if that's the same category as the one you require).
I'm happy to forward a copy of the food info I was sent and found (it relates to Victorian regulations) if you'd like it - just need your email address.

[The Infotainer]

Originally Posted by alecia

Right now I am trying to work out how to register the business (I know HOW but I don't know WHERE to start!) I am thinking of a name that will leave me open to selling potatoes in the future and also working out what exactly I need to do to register the business (not just the name).

SO confused, SO excited, and I will SO get through all this confusion (but hopefully not the excitement)

If your not making over $70K then just get an ABN number, whih is free and very easy read here on ABN if you have not already
http://www.business.gov.au/BusinessT...%28ABN%29.aspx

check this page https://www.abr.gov.au/ although it is not working in firefox browser

however my knowledge is limited so as a food seller I "guess" you can get by with an ABN and food insurance and safety info

I don't think you have to fully register for GST or anything major.

Also talk to an accountant if possible as these people will tell you what you can buy that would be a tax deduction which would help reduce costs later but you will want the ABN first before you buy anything

WARNING
There are registering companies out there that will charge you money to register your ABN for you- DO NOT DO THIS, it is easy and free to do it yourself for example http://abnregistration.com.au/?gclid...FQ2ApAodMiXffg what a joke Our ABN Registrations don’t cost the earth. On sale now – see below. they don't cost anything so stay away from those guys

In the moment for the moment

The Infotainer

[alecia]

Thanks guys!

So I am still a tad confused (will read through all those links when I get home from work tonight).

1. I already have an ABN, but it is registered for a completely separate type of business (which I don't use). Am I still able to use that ABN? (Can I change what sort of business it is/do I need to?)

2. So with an ABN, can I still register a business name? (My personal name doesn't really relate to what I will be selling at all. lol!)


3. I want to thank you guys for all being so helpful! You are making this so much easier on me.

[flower-child]

If you already have an ABN, you just let the tax office know the new business name and they will give you a new 'branch' (CAC).
Your actual ABN stays the same

[KarenC]

I agree with Flower Child. Register another trading name and let the ATO know so that they attach it to your ABN. Your ABN can have multiple trading names attached to you.