Thomas Kerscevsky > wrote in message >...
> I have an opportunity to buy a small neighborhood bakery from a baker
> who wants to retire. Baking has been a hobby of mine for 20+ years and
> in many respects this opportunity represents what could be the
> realization of a dream - or at least a fantasy.
>
> There are many positives:
> 1. great potential because of mismanagement.
> 2. equipment and space can support multiple bakers and a 4-5 fold
> increase in sales.
> 3. good, but not great parking.
> 4. on the route to and from downtown.
> 5. there's been a bakery on this site for 60 years.
> 6. I understand business (former finance professor, current
> consultant)
> 7. I can get more excited about baking than I can about software.
> 8. and a few others...
>
> But also a few negatives:
> 1. there's a big difference between baking a couple of loaves of 3
> different kinds of bread on a Saturday, and 50 loaves of 10 varieties
> every single day - PLUS dozens of donuts and the like.
> 2. what's a low carb bread???
> 3. is the current popularity of low carb diets a fad or a trend?
> 4. increasing the commercial side is critical and I really don't care
> for the sales process.
> 5. and a few others...
>
> Any comments from you bakers out there?
>
> Tom

Running a business is not the same as enjoying baking as a hobby; your
priorities are different in the business world.
If your goal is to earn money in bakery business you had a lot of
catching up to do.If you had not run business before . You are in a
different ball park.
You have to study the financial aspects,interpersonal relations with
clients,staff, customers, and the other management side of the
equation.

From my observation in this field it does not require exceptional
baking skill in running a bakery business but good business acumen.
I had seen people who had a smattering of bakery knowledge; in some
cases totally ignorant about baking,but become succesful bakery
businessmen.
In the other side I had witnessed people who are highly capable bakers
but became a disaster in running their own bakery business.
But I am not trying to discourage you totally but just given some
form of warning.
If you are persistent and if you see that there is an opportunity in
such business; anyway just do your homework,hire somebody who will
train you in the entreprenureal aspects, and keep an open mind and be
optimistic .
If the bakery business (by previous owners )if already established
then there is less effort to market its products nor maintain the
business than starting from a scratch.
Hire a capable staff as you will not less time in doing baking your
self.
Roy