Taking the plunge...

It's 3.10pm on a sunny Thursday afternoon. I'm at the computer having some "me" time as my 16mth old son has his afternoon "sleepy time".
I have been coming backwards and forth to the computer a lot lately, doing some research to see how realistic my dream is to venture into small business, without having any knowledge of what it's all about. It's scary but equally exciting. I have been making weekly trips to the library and have a pile of books on my bedside about taking a chance, and living your dream, how to be a "mumpreneur" etc.
So small and steady steps, and who knows what the future holds.

My vision is to sell my home baked cookies. Quite a simple thought, but the logistics of doing so have caused a few sleepless nights. Some councils don't allow me to bake at home unless I have a 2nd kitchen, or a commercial kitchen. They have suggested hiring one, but my aim was to bake at night or afternoon when my son has his sleeps. Then there are the insurance costs, food licences etc. Some days it seems all too hard and I give up, but then the ideas start whirling around in my head again, and I get back on that horse!

Where did it all begin?? I've always had a fondness for baking and recall the delicious smells in my Nanna's kitchen and the morning coffees and cookies that my mother shared with her friends when I was very young.
My mother passed away from breast cancer when I was 6 and as I got older, I felt like I still wanted to give something to her for missed birthdays, anniversaries, Mother's day etc and didn't hesitate when given the opportunity to fundraise for the Cancer Council.
I donate the ingredients and my time to bake trays and trays of Cookies and sell them at my workplace for 50 cents each. I have donated all of the money back to the Cancer Council. I wish I had kept records of the amount of cookies I've baked or the amount that I have raised, but I have been doing this since approx 2003. I feel very proud of this achievement and just feel it is the least I can do to prevent others in our community from growing up without their mum (or any other family member).

Since having my little boy in June 2008, the baking and fundraising have taken a back seat. I had no idea how busy motherhood would be, but in saying that, I love it.
I am now only working part time in paid employment and have a strong desire to do that little bit more (but without spending any less time with my son).
So the concept of Roocke Cookies has reared its head again... and again.
I am in the process of getting set up so that I can sell my cookies at local markets around Hobart, and hope to make a start in January 2010.

In the meantime there is lots to be done - costings, labelling, reading, researching and of course baking!!

For anyone reading this, I would welcome any suggestions on taking the plunge into small business etc. I dearly hope it all works out.

Regards
Katrina