How to Start a Home Bakery Without Porch Pickups and Customers Coming to Your Home

When I first launched my home bakery, I wasn’t comfortable with customers coming directly to my home. It felt like too much too soon, especially with strangers involved. So, I got creative with my pickup options and found a way to make it work that was safe and convenient for both me and my customers.

Step 1:

Designate Public Pickup Points

Instead of inviting people to my home, I designated two different pickup locations: 1. Local Park: This was just down the street from my home, making it convenient without compromising my privacy. 2. In Town (30 Minutes Away): For customers a bit farther out, I set up a weekly meeting spot in our town. It was for pre-orders only, and we’d meet on the same day, at the same time, every week. These consistent, pre-arranged locations allowed me to keep a reliable schedule, making it easy for my customers to know exactly where and when they’d get their goodies. Plus, it created a safe space for the exchanges without the need for anyone coming to my front door.

Step 2:

Build a Trustworthy Customer Base

Over time, as my customer base grew, I got to know my regulars. I reached a point where I felt comfortable with a “fridge pickup” option outside my home for those who’d been buying from me for a couple of years and had proven to be trustworthy. Even now, I’m careful about giving out my address and use my gut to make that decision—if I don’t get a good vibe, I simply don’t do it.

Step 3:

Partner with a Local Business

For my town pickup option, I eventually found a great setup with a local business: a yarn shop with a small, loyal customer base of its own. Now, instead of meeting at my car, my customers can pick up their orders at the shop during a two-hour window. The shop owner is happy to help, as it brings extra foot traffic her way, and it gives my customers a consistent, professional pickup point.

So, What’s Stopping You?

If you’re holding off on starting your home bakery because you’re worried about managing pickups or strangers at your door, know that there are other ways to set things up. Whether it’s a park, a local business, or even offering limited local delivery, there are plenty of options to make it work safely and comfortably for you.

So, what’s holding you back from taking the leap into a home bakery business?

I’m here to show you how to build and run a thriving home bakery too – from tips to the ins and outs of small business success. I’m so excited you’re here.