Starting and running a food business

Lily Pink Bakery is a home-based bakery in Belfast, specialising in creative buttercream cakes, cupcakes, and brownies. The business holds a 5-star Food Hygiene Rating and trades mainly online through direct deliveries, customer collections and postal orders.

Claire Magowan, founder of Lily Pink Bakery, discusses the challenges, rewards, and practicalities of running her food business from home.

Getting started

"I had always loved baking, having made cupcakes and cakes for fun for years. In 2012, I joined a Belfast City Council programme on turning your hobby into a business and went straight into self-employment. I never looked back!"

"Working out of my home was the only option when I started. I had no funding and didn't wish to begin my business in lots of debt."

"In the early days, I concentrated mainly on market trading with a permanent stall at St George's Market. This route allowed me to have a space where I could trade and meet my customers without the commitment of premises and the associated bills."

"Although I loved trading at the market, by 2018, wedding cakes were becoming my main focus, and then COVID-19 happened. Almost all my bookings were cancelled or rescheduled across 2020 and 2021."

Adapting the business model

"Working within the restrictions, I set up my e-commerce site on Shopify and began selling weekly cupcake boxes that I would bake at home and deliver across Belfast one day a week. This approach was a roaring success - it allowed my business to survive and thrive. I learned many new skills, including route planning for deliveries and operating an online store."

"From this, I also developed my postal boxes - these were a massive undertaking, researching packaging that would survive the postal system, what items had the best shelf life and the legalities of distance selling."

"Most of my sales now come directly from my website. I deliver wedding cakes across Northern Ireland, and for all other orders, my customers usually collect from my home."

Pros and cons of running a food business from home

"The cost is the biggest benefit. I don't have to worry about high rents and rates fees. At times, I have considered renting kitchen spaces or retail space in Belfast, but this is very expensive and truly limits the food culture of this city which has so much potential."

"The other benefit, of course, is avoiding a daily commute!"

"In terms of the challenges, maintaining a healthy work/life balance can be very difficult at times. If possible, designate a separate space within your home for work to help you avoid bad habits I have developed, like doing your admin in bed!"

"You must also ensure that your business doesn't disrupt the community around you. For example, with noise or customers parking when collecting their orders."

Food safety and hygiene

"Like any food business, I must register with the council. This process involves a home inspection and following the same procedures as any restaurant or cafe. You also must complete a food hygiene course."

"To manage daily food hygiene, I keep a log of clean-down times for my kitchen, including the equipment cleaned, the cleaning product used, and the time completed. Belfast City Council provides a binder with easy-to-follow guidelines for all required records and procedures."

"My home business is considered low-risk, so I don't find major food safety and hygiene challenges. Working with meat, or in allergen-friendly manufacturing, the rules are likely to be stricter."

"I state my allergens clearly on my website in several places, including my menu and FAQ page. On the Shopify store, I list the allergens in the description on each product page. For anything posted or pre-packaged, I have all ingredients listed and, where necessary, broken down into component ingredients."

"I tell my customers that I work in an open kitchen environment and can't guarantee items are allergen-free. I am very strict in protecting customers and my safety."

"I'm delighted to have a 5-star Food Hygiene Rating from the council. This rating shows my customers that I respect their safety and well-being by maintaining a clean, organised manufacturing environment."

"I achieved my rating by working with Belfast City Council and following all the advice they give when registering, including the food and allergen safety guidance they have on their website. In my experience, the council staff are helpful and will answer any questions to help you achieve the food hygiene levels required for your business."