18 Business Ideas For Bakers [2024]
Interested in starting a business as a baker in 2024?
If managed well, building a business as a baker could be more lucrative than employment. So, which are the best business ideas for Bakers?
We put together 18 of some of the best baker business ideas you can start in today.
For each business idea, we'll show you real-world examples of other baker businesses to help you see what it takes.
Here's the full list:
1. Start a soap business ($90.7K/month)
As a baker, you could leverage your creativity and attention to detail to start a successful soap business. The artistry involved in decorating cakes and pastries can translate seamlessly into crafting beautifully designed soaps, making this a natural extension of your existing skill set. Since soap-making is a growing industry that can be home-based, you could start small and scale up as your business grows.
With an initial investment likely under $1,000, you could purchase all the necessary supplies to get started. This venture can fit into your free time, allowing you to supplement your income while pursuing your passion for creating artisanal products. Given the increasing popularity of handmade skincare products sold online, this could be a lucrative side business that aligns well with your entrepreneurial mindset.
How much you can make: $1,200 — $380,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,750 (?)
How long does it take to build: 365 days (?)
Outlaw Soaps, a soap company that started with just $13.72 of supplies, now makes an average of $23,000/month, with 46% of website orders from repeat customers who are loyal to the company's unique products and top-notch customer service.
2. Start a candle business ($188K/month)
As a baker, you could easily transition your creative skills and attention to detail into starting a candle business. The candle industry is rapidly growing, and there is a strong demand for handcrafted, high-quality candles despite the rise in automated production.
This side business could offer you a rewarding way to supplement your income, all while working from the comfort of your home. By leveraging your existing customer base and marketing expertise, you could create unique, aromatic candles that complement your baking brand. This entrepreneurial venture not only diversifies your income streams but also enables you to explore a new, creative endeavor.
How much you can make: $500 — $1,000,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 75 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
Southern Elegance Candle Company, founded by D'Shawn Russell, started as a side hustle making around $200 per weekend at a local Farmers Market, but now averages approximately $20,000 per month in sales across their retail site, wholesale site, and Faire.
3. Start a supplements company ($412K/month)
As a baker, you could leverage your knowledge of ingredients and nutrition to start a supplements company. By formulating dietary supplements, vitamins, protein powders, and health foods, you can tap into the growing market of fitness enthusiasts, health-conscious individuals, and wellness influencers.
You could run this business from home, making it a low-cost venture that can easily integrate with your current baking operations. By offering high-quality, nutrition-focused products, you could supplement your income, diversify your revenue streams, and potentially grow it into a full-fledged business.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $3,500,000/month
How long does it take to build: 200 days (?)
A military officer turned entrepreneur built sports nutrition brand Bare Performance Nutrition from $15,000 in year one to on track to generate $6m in revenue this year, leveraging social media platforms and creating interactive, relatable and valuable content to create a community and a brand voice.
4. Start a natural beauty product business ($66.8K/month)
As a baker, you already understand the importance of quality ingredients, which could easily translate to creating natural beauty products like those containing aloe vera, honey, or cocoa butter. You could leverage your existing knowledge of these ingredients and their beneficial properties to craft skincare items that are free from chemicals and synthetic elements.
The global natural skin care products market was valued at $6.7 billion in 2021, highlighting a lucrative opportunity for you to supplement your income or even transform your side hustle into a full-fledged business. What's holding you back? Explore our case studies to see how others have successfully entered this booming market and imagine the possibilities for your entrepreneurial journey.
How much you can make: $300 — $658,333/month
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
Bey Moss, an e-commerce platform selling sea moss-infused health and wellness products, made over $800,000 to-date with less than $10,000 overall in ads after validating the product idea through reviews and feedback and leveraging their social media following to build a Bey Moss community.
5. Start a healthy snack food business ($438K/month)
Starting a healthy snack food business could be an excellent way for you to supplement your income or transition into a new entrepreneurial venture. As a baker, your expertise in creating delicious and visually appealing products can easily translate into crafting healthy snack options that cater to the growing health-conscious market. Imagine transforming your favorite recipes into protein bars, gluten-free cookies, or even nutritious crackers that meet today's dietary trends.
Given that the global healthy snacks market is predicted to reach $152 billion by 2030, the opportunities in this sector are vast and promising. Leveraging your baking skills, you could create a brand that not only offers tasty treats but also promotes well-being and healthier lifestyles. This could be a fantastic side business or even a full-time endeavor that allows you to combine your passion for baking with the burgeoning demand for nutritious snacks.
How much you can make: $15,000 — $3,000,000/month
How long does it take to build: 270 days (?)
Neuro co-founders Kent Yoshimura and Ryan Chen developed their functional gum and mint products to offer a portable, healthy, and efficient alternative to energy drinks and supplements, hitting 12M pieces sold and generating ~$500k in monthly revenue with over 25% repeat customer rate and retail presence in over 6,500 locations including 5,000 CVS stores.
6. Start a food startup ($193K/month)
If you have a passion for baking and dream of expanding beyond traditional employment, starting a food startup could be a lucrative and exciting possibility for you. You could channel your skills toward opening your own bakery, cake shop, or even a mobile food truck to reach a broader audience. These options allow you to express your creativity, set your schedule, and potentially enjoy higher income margins.
For those interested in a more tech-savvy approach, starting an online bakery or food blog may be a perfect fit. You could sell your baked goods online, providing convenient options for customers, or share your expertise through engaging content. By tapping into the growing demand for quality, homemade foods and comprehensive food-related resources, you can build a loyal customer base and forge your path to entrepreneurial success.
How much you can make: $2,000 — $3,000,000/month
How long does it take to build: 150 days (?)
Trini Pepper Sauce co-founder and co-owner, Mustafa Mannan, shares how he successfully imported and manufactured his family's unique pepper sauce recipe and launched it through a Kickstarter campaign, now selling an average of $3,000/month in revenue.
7. Start a food blog ($43.3K/month)
Starting a food blog could be an excellent way to supplement your income as a baker. By sharing your expertise, you could educate people on the importance of healthy eating and budgeting, which are valuable topics that resonate with a wide audience. This could position you as an authority in not just baking, but in overall healthy and cost-effective food choices.
By developing content around your unique recipes and baking techniques, you could attract followers who are interested in your culinary skills. Incorporating tips for maintaining a healthy diet while enjoying baked goods will keep your readers engaged and returning for more.
To streamline the process, you could hire a professional to set up your website and a content creator to regularly update it with valuable insights. This approach ensures that your blog remains current and engaging without consuming all your time, allowing you to focus on your baking business while growing your online presence.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $200,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
How one food blogger turned his passion into a business that brings in $15k-$20k per month through display advertising, affiliate marketing, and exclusive content, and doubled in revenue every year since going full time in 2018.
8. Start a dog treat business ($635K/month)
Starting a dog treat business could be a fantastic way to supplement your income as a baker, especially if you love dogs. By combining your baking skills with your passion for canine health, you could create healthy, natural, and tasty treats that are both good for dogs and enjoyable for them to eat.
In this niche market, you could focus on ensuring your products meet the nutritional requirements and safety standards for dogs. Introducing specialty services like custom birthday cakes and holiday gift boxes could further set your business apart and attract a loyal customer base.
Leveraging both online and local markets could help you transform your homemade dog treats into a thriving and rewarding enterprise, opening up new entrepreneurial avenues without straying far from your baking expertise.
How much you can make: $400 — $1,833,333/month
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
Toronto-based Treats Happen saw a gap in the market for healthy dog treats, and now makes roughly $15K per month. Their biggest lesson? As a brand, they don't just sell on their website but want to be available on as many profitable channels as possible.
9. Start a skin care product line ($121K/month)
As a baker, you could leverage your knowledge of natural ingredients and your creativity to develop a unique skincare product line. The skincare industry was valued at 130 billion USD in 2021 and is expected to grow at an annual rate of 4.6% until 2030, making it a lucrative market to tap into.
You could start by incorporating familiar, high-quality ingredients like honey, oats, and essential oils into your products, emphasizing their skin-nourishing benefits. Your expertise in handling these natural elements could set your skincare line apart in an increasingly competitive market, attracting health-conscious consumers looking for authentic, effective products.
Furthermore, your existing customer base from your bakery could serve as your first group of loyal patrons, aiding in the seamless transition to a side business or even a full-time venture. By diversifying your skills and income streams, you could create a robust business model that capitalizes on the booming skincare industry.
How much you can make: $300 — $1,000,000/month
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
Two moms start a side hustle selling all-natural body products, doubling sales since their launch in 2017 with over 75 craft shows, promoting a non-profit source for their shea butter and self-promotion through podcasts, lining up retail interest from exposure.
10. Start a niche accessories brand ($288K/month)
As a baker with an eye for detail and creativity, starting a niche accessories brand could be a lucrative way to supplement your income or kick off a side business. The profit margins in this sector can be substantial due to high product markups, allowing you to capitalize on your artistic skills beyond the kitchen. You could open a small Etsy store or sell through popular marketplace sites like Amazon, Facebook, and eBay to reach a broader audience.
The market for custom accessories, which includes jewelry, handbags, and small fashion apparel, is projected to grow significantly, with an estimated value of nearly $473.46B by 2026. This booming industry offers plenty of room for unique and personalized products, aligning perfectly with your ability to create and design intricate details, much like in baking. Transforming your knack for aesthetics into a thriving business could not only provide additional income but also allow you to explore a new creative outlet.
How much you can make: $600 — $1,500,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $800 (?)
How long does it take to build: 45 days (?)
Braxton Manley started Braxley Bands with only $20, creating an elastic Apple Watch band and scaling the business to an impressive $100K a month on Shopify, all without any other capital or investment.
11. Start a specialty food business ($49.8K/month)
Starting a specialty food business could be an exciting and lucrative side venture for a Baker. With your existing skills and passion for creating exceptional baked goods, you could experiment with premium and unique ingredients sourced globally to develop a niche product line. This could include anything from gluten-free pastries made with exotic grains to artisanal bread featuring rare spices and seeds.
Given that the global specialty food ingredients market is expanding at an annual growth rate of 6.4%, there is significant potential for growth and profit. By identifying a niche market and securing reliable suppliers for high-quality ingredients, you could establish a brand that stands out for its premium quality and health benefits. Before diving in, be sure to decide on the type of business model that suits you best and handle any legal requirements such as business registration, licenses, and permits.
This venture could not only supplement your income but also provide a fulfilling creative outlet, allowing you to elevate your baking craft to new heights.
How much you can make: $2,000 — $124,998/month
How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)
ChipMonk co-founders built a mail-order bakery selling low carb, gluten-free desserts, making around $25,000 a month with growth through e-commerce, and plans to tighten budgets and conserve cash in challenging times.
12. Start a freelance marketplace business ($124K/month)
Starting a freelance marketplace business could be an exciting venture for an entrepreneurial-minded baker. With your expertise, you could create a platform that connects food industry professionals with clients seeking specialized baking skills. This marketplace could cater to a variety of needs, from custom cake designs to bread-making workshops.
You could offer opportunities for other bakers, pastry chefs, and confectioners to showcase their talents and find freelance work. By facilitating these connections, you not only supplement your income but also position yourself at the forefront of a growing trend in the freelancing economy. Additionally, this platform could capitalize on the 50% of the US workforce expected to shift to freelancing in the coming years.
How much you can make: $100 — $500,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Flexiple is a customer-funded profitable business, generating $80K in gross monthly revenues on an average over the last 6-months, driven by their focus on connecting high-quality freelancers with companies looking for reliable and remote talent, while continuously iterating on their business model and expanding into complementary areas like tech hiring and content marketing.
13. Start an etsy shop ($47.5K/month)
Starting an Etsy seller business could be a fantastic opportunity for you as a baker to supplement your income or even transition into a full-time entrepreneurial endeavor. By creating and selling artisanal baked goods, custom cake toppers, unique baking tools, or even downloadable recipe books, you could attract a broad audience who values homemade and handcrafted items. This platform would allow you to showcase your creativity and culinary expertise to potential clients far beyond your local community.
Moreover, setting up an Etsy shop is relatively straightforward, requiring just an Etsy account, a PayPal account, and a visually appealing storefront with professional photos of your products. This would not only enable you to generate additional revenue but also build your brand and expand your reach, potentially leading to new and exciting business opportunities.
How much you can make: $100 — $750,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Chasing Planner Peace is a planner company that has expanded from selling planner inserts on Etsy, to offering a one-stop shop customizable planner experience with over 300 inserts, a planner line, and various other related products, gaining a monthly revenue of around $25,000 at its busiest time of year.
14. Start an online retail store ($173K/month)
Starting an online retail store could be an excellent avenue for you to supplement your income or even launch a new business. With just a computer, a domain, and a web hosting service, you can easily set up your store. Imagine selling your homemade baked goods, custom baking kits, or even baking-related merchandise online.
Additionally, you could opt for a dropshipping model and offer unique baking tools, specialty ingredients, or niche baking products that cater to your expertise. This approach would allow you to expand your audience reach without the overhead costs of physical inventory. Utilizing your baking knowledge, you could curate a niche selection of products that resonate with other baking enthusiasts, transforming your passion into a profitable venture.
How much you can make: $400 — $1,000,000/month
How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)
A high school student turned his love for LEGO into a $1.6k/month business, Summerfield's Toys, by reselling sets online through eBay, BrickLink, and Facebook Marketplace, in addition to buying and reselling brand new sets.
15. Start an etsy shop ($47.5K/month)
Starting an Etsy seller business could be a fantastic opportunity for you as a baker to supplement your income or even transition into a full-time entrepreneurial endeavor. By creating and selling artisanal baked goods, custom cake toppers, unique baking tools, or even downloadable recipe books, you could attract a broad audience who values homemade and handcrafted items. This platform would allow you to showcase your creativity and culinary expertise to potential clients far beyond your local community.
Moreover, setting up an Etsy shop is relatively straightforward, requiring just an Etsy account, a PayPal account, and a visually appealing storefront with professional photos of your products. This would not only enable you to generate additional revenue but also build your brand and expand your reach, potentially leading to new and exciting business opportunities.
How much you can make: $100 — $750,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Chasing Planner Peace is a planner company that has expanded from selling planner inserts on Etsy, to offering a one-stop shop customizable planner experience with over 300 inserts, a planner line, and various other related products, gaining a monthly revenue of around $25,000 at its busiest time of year.
16. Start a nutrition supplements business ($248K/month)
As a Baker, you could explore the booming multi-billion dollar nutrition supplements market by starting a business that focuses on health and well-being, ingredients you already value. Imagine developing or collaborating on supplements like multivitamins in various forms—tablets, capsules, or liquids—that complement your baked goods aimed at a health-conscious audience.
This side business could not only supplement your baking income but also allow you to merge the worlds of nutrition and culinary arts. To kickstart your venture, you can identify your target audience, conduct competition analysis, and pinpoint market gaps, perhaps leveraging your unique understanding of ingredients and flavors. Whether you create your own supplements or partner with existing manufacturers, this could be a lucrative opportunity to diversify your income and expand your entrepreneurial horizons.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $1,000,000/month
How long does it take to build: 200 days (?)
SuperGreen TONIK's founder developed a greens powder supplement with 38 superfood nutrients, adaptogenic herbs, vitamins, and minerals that achieved $250k in sales in its first year and is looking to hit 7-figures in its second year, thanks to transparency, repeat customers, and focusing on fewer, properly dosed ingredients.
17. Start a paper manufacturer
As a baker, diving into a paper manufacturing business could be a lucrative side venture or even a full-fledged business. Paper is a ubiquitous material with diverse applications, and you could leverage your understanding of packaging and presentation to identify niche markets that align with your baking expertise.
For instance, focusing on butter paper manufacturing could directly complement your baking activities, allowing you to produce high-quality packaging materials for your own goods and other local bakeries. Additionally, developing specialized art paper or seed paper could appeal to eco-conscious customers and small businesses looking for sustainable packaging options.
Given the low overhead and moderate output requirements, starting a paper manufacturing business offers a relatively low-risk opportunity to diversify your income. This venture could also enable you to build valuable relationships within both the food and paper industries, enhancing your entrepreneurial portfolio.
18. Start a beauty business ($154K/month)
Starting a beauty business could complement your existing baking career, opening up new revenue streams in a burgeoning industry valued at $511B in 2021 and predicted to exceed $716B by 2025. As a Baker, your eye for detail, creativity, and presentation skills could translate seamlessly into creating and marketing beauty products, whether in makeup, skincare, or hair products.
With the beauty industry seeing an annual compounded growth rate of 4.75% worldwide, there is substantial potential for profitability. You could start with small batches of natural skincare products using simple ingredients, much like how you craft your baked goods, and gradually expand your offerings based on market demand. This venture could start as a side business and grow into a significant supplement to your income, leveraging your entrepreneurial spirit and skills developed as a Baker.
How much you can make: $1,500 — $658,333/month
How long does it take to build: 150 days (?)
Private Label Extensions is a hair distribution and technology company that builds hair brands from A to Z for entrepreneurs, achieving over $650,000 in monthly sales and ranked #278 of the fastest-growing companies by Inc Magazine for 2018.
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Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
