A Guide to Cooking Side Hustles for Working Moms

If you adore cooking and want to spend more time in your kitchen, why not decide to turn your love of the oven into a side hustle that can help you grow your income and take any financial pressure away from you? Starting up a business can be advantageous to working moms who want to earn more without struggling with the demands of more than one employed position, and, if this is a career option that you want to enjoy in 2024, here is a guide that can help you to set up your own cooking side hustle next year.

Why is a cooking side hustle a great choice?

A cooking-based side hustle is a great option for working moms as you will be able to build this up around your other commitments, such as the school run. You will also be able to take on as much or as little work as you want, according to what else is happening in your life at the time.

A cooking side hustle is also an excellent option as it will give you a creative outlet from the stresses of life, especially if you love thinking up new recipes and decorating cakes, and you might also decide to get commissions from people and help to make their baking dreams come true. Your cooking business can even make others happy, which can put a smile on your face and boost your own mood in return.

You might also choose to start a cooking business, as this is a venture you can begin from home. Working from home is cheaper than having to rent out a space for your company or having to commute, and it will also allow you to keep an eye on your kids while you cook.

This is also extremely convenient for those who are poor time-keepers or who find that they do not have as many hours in the day as they would like, and working from home can also be a great decision for those who get stressed or distracted in office environments. You might even allow your kids to help with some of the smaller elements of your bakes, such as pouring the flour.

What are the essentials of starting up a cooking business?

There are many essential items that you will need to start up a cooking or baking side hustle in 2024. For instance, you will need to invest in the right gadgets and equipment to help your bakes be the best they can be and ensure they are always consistent in flavor and texture. This includes products such as hand mixers and blenders. You might also decide to splash out on a smart oven, as you will be able to control this from your mobile phone, meaning that you do not always have to wait around in the kitchen for your sweet treats to be ready.

As well as gadgets, you will also need ingredients. Whatever you decide to make, you will want to ensure that your cupboards are always filled to burst with various spices that can be added to different dishes and allow you to experiment with the taste of the meals you are making. When you have decided to cook commercially, you might be using far more spices than you have previously. If that is the case, you should be looking to purchase wholesale spices from brands such as Ofi Spices. These companies will ensure that your cupboards never run dry of the products that you need, from garlic to onion. Using these businesses will also allow you to buy healthy and environmentally friendly options.

How can you set up your side hustle?

After you have got all of the essentials, you might be itching to get your company open for business. To set up your side hustle, you need to consider how you are going to sell your products. Some of the most popular options include selling them on a digital platform or going to a market.

Although selling online is convenient and means that you do not have to stand out in all weathers trying to promote your goods to potentially disinterested parties, selling online means that you have to battle postage costs, lost mail, and damaged packaging, however, while going to markets and shows can be expensive and dispiriting if you do not sell your food, you will also have the pleasure of making a connection with customers and taking part in local community events.

Once you have decided how you will sell your goods, you need to think about how you will market your venture. For instance, you might design a business card or flyer to promote you and your wares. Small businesses also often rely a lot on word of mouth, and so you should try to get your customers to leave reviews and tell others about your company in-person and on social media. You should also not be shy to talk about your side hustle at any given opportunity, hoping that some of the people you speak to will be interested and want to support you.

How can you focus on your side hustle around your kids?

When you are a working mom, you might be worried about how you are going to juggle work, your kids, and your side hustle all at once. To do this, you should try to set a schedule and share this with your family. This will mean that your cooking time does not fall by the wayside and that you always have a few pre-determined hours of the day in which to cook and focus on your business.

You should also arrange childcare in advance, whether you hire a babysitter or speak to your partner or another family member about looking out for your kids while you are in the kitchen. This can stop you from being disturbed. However, you should try not to make the kitchen off-limits to your children, and you might get them involved and take them to the shows and markets that you need to travel to. If they are interested, prepping for your business could even become a great bonding activity for you.