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Location: I'm liking the idea of New Brunswick. It's close to home, less expensive than NYC, and the large college campus should provide a socially conscious customer base.
Back room: The back needs to have more than the standard amenities. Locker rooms with showers. Mail boxes (so everyone can have a physical mailing address). A break room with wifi and at least one computer.
Roof: I was thinking solar panels (and there might still be room for those, depending on the building), but it occurs to me that a roof garden might be a better choice. Grow fresh herbs for use in the baking, and perhaps some to sell. Will have to look into regulations governing that sort of thing.
Hours: If it's going to be built with college customers in mind, it'll have to have extended hours. Insomnia Cookies does good business in NYC making good cookies all day and well into the night. Multiple shifts are in order.
Government, etc.: Once I decide on a location, I need to get in touch with government offices. See if there are subsidies for hiring certain people and how I'd need to structure the business so that I'd be allowed to do that kind of targeted hiring. Should also get in touch with the mayor's office just to develop a working relationship. Also going to have to look into health care plans, options, and costs. Oh, and getting a kosher certification.
Other people: Need to remember to get in touch with Lee, the former owner of the Gaston Avenue Bakery. And see if I can reestablish contact with CC. Should also see if I can work with other businesses in the area, like the Thomas Sweet candy and ice cream store or the Stuff Your Face pizza place.
Name: I had a bunch of ideas. Still considering. But I had a new thought today.
"Rocky Road" although more traditionally associated with ice cream can apply to certain brownies, as well. And it represents both the idea of dessert and of helping people along a difficult path.
Other thoughts I had for the name:
Rising Tide
Dignity
Home Maker
Tikkun (as in Tikkun Aulam, a Hebrew phrase meaning "(projects to) fix the world")
Second Chance
Pennan, Inc. (Not because it has anything to do with baking, but it's what I always told myself I'd name my company if I ever founded one. Maybe it can be the holding company or something, rather than the name of the bakery itself.)
First Story (the entry to a home and the beginnings of a new tale)
Gingerbread House (built from baked goods)
Uplifting (helping people up and increasing happiness of all around)
Rising Dough
Street Smarts
Home Sweet Home
Trampoline (it's what's there at the bottom to help you bounce back)
Sherlock Home (which might be a better name for something associated with the bakery, down the road, assuming we call it...)
Baker Street or Baker Street Irregulars (because baking + street + employing street urchins to do good + literary reference)
Karma
Spoons (you are all familiar with Spoon Theory, right?)
Baked Goods
Any thoughts? What names are good or bad? What am I missing? What else should I be pondering?
Back room: The back needs to have more than the standard amenities. Locker rooms with showers. Mail boxes (so everyone can have a physical mailing address). A break room with wifi and at least one computer.
Roof: I was thinking solar panels (and there might still be room for those, depending on the building), but it occurs to me that a roof garden might be a better choice. Grow fresh herbs for use in the baking, and perhaps some to sell. Will have to look into regulations governing that sort of thing.
Hours: If it's going to be built with college customers in mind, it'll have to have extended hours. Insomnia Cookies does good business in NYC making good cookies all day and well into the night. Multiple shifts are in order.
Government, etc.: Once I decide on a location, I need to get in touch with government offices. See if there are subsidies for hiring certain people and how I'd need to structure the business so that I'd be allowed to do that kind of targeted hiring. Should also get in touch with the mayor's office just to develop a working relationship. Also going to have to look into health care plans, options, and costs. Oh, and getting a kosher certification.
Other people: Need to remember to get in touch with Lee, the former owner of the Gaston Avenue Bakery. And see if I can reestablish contact with CC. Should also see if I can work with other businesses in the area, like the Thomas Sweet candy and ice cream store or the Stuff Your Face pizza place.
Name: I had a bunch of ideas. Still considering. But I had a new thought today.
"Rocky Road" although more traditionally associated with ice cream can apply to certain brownies, as well. And it represents both the idea of dessert and of helping people along a difficult path.
Other thoughts I had for the name:
Rising Tide
Dignity
Home Maker
Tikkun (as in Tikkun Aulam, a Hebrew phrase meaning "(projects to) fix the world")
Second Chance
Pennan, Inc. (Not because it has anything to do with baking, but it's what I always told myself I'd name my company if I ever founded one. Maybe it can be the holding company or something, rather than the name of the bakery itself.)
First Story (the entry to a home and the beginnings of a new tale)
Gingerbread House (built from baked goods)
Uplifting (helping people up and increasing happiness of all around)
Rising Dough
Street Smarts
Home Sweet Home
Trampoline (it's what's there at the bottom to help you bounce back)
Sherlock Home (which might be a better name for something associated with the bakery, down the road, assuming we call it...)
Baker Street or Baker Street Irregulars (because baking + street + employing street urchins to do good + literary reference)
Karma
Spoons (you are all familiar with Spoon Theory, right?)
Baked Goods
Any thoughts? What names are good or bad? What am I missing? What else should I be pondering?
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...and on that note, if you haven't alraedy, I'd suggest contacting local groups that already work with the homeless as a very early step. They'll know the homeless community and be able to talk to you about feasibilities and needs and so on - you don't have to take their advice but your business will probably have to build relationships with them regardless.
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But knowing what not to do is just as important as knowing what TO do. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
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1) Focus on quality of product/service. The workforce is how you get there, but if it isn't good stuff, all the good will in the world won't raise sales. In fact, I'd not even use your workforce in your name or initial marketing. "This place is awesome!" is the first message you want out. "...and they help people who are homeless by providing jobs, etc" will just make you more awesome... later.
2) Consider going gluten free for the entire bakery. This can be done, and done really well. A local place has done this up where I live in MA. They're a bakery first, 100% gluten free second (or simultaneously). They get a lot of business from people who are not allergic/intolerant to gluten, because the products are just that much better than the very good bakery in the higher-end grocery in the same shopping center.
3) Don't stint on seating/decor. Place previous to the gluten free bakery made very, very good bagels, but it wasn't comfortable. New place has a lot of standard tables, and one area with couches/chairs. Changes the feel entirely. (Starbucks does this, giving the illusion of the comfy coffee house, when 75% of the seating is actually pretty standard table/chair.)
Lastly, go you!
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Quality is very much key, yes. Not so sure about messaging, though. Everyone says their stuff is awesome. Having an additional draw (so long as it's properly presented) seems like a good thing to me to help us stand out. Something like Chipotle might also work: They advertize fast quality food, but once you get in (as you're waiting in line) they have further posters explaining their commitment to sustainable organic farming.
I have to admit I don't know much about gluten free. I know a few people who need it, but I don't know what it takes to do it, how the stuff comes out, how many people in our area want or need it, or how that phrase would impact those who don't need it (but are used to that sort of thing meaning less taste). But it certainly seems like it could be worthwhile. I'll have to look into it.
Ergonomics and style are important, yes. I want things to be comfortable and welcoming. For everyone - in front of and behind the counter.
Thanks for your considered thoughts! :)
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I do know it's labor intensive. I also know that I'm unqualified. And physically incapable of taking a hands-on position. I'm going to need to find someone who knows what she's doing to be the day-to-day manager. I've got an idea of where to start. We'll see.
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About the bakery I mentioned, they don't make a big deal out of being gluten free. They make good products that people think are tasty, and a smaller sign tells you that they are all gluten free. Goooood cupcakes pretty much sell themselves.
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Also, I'm thinking of having an open kitchen.
Like I said, I'll have to look into gluten free baking. I know pretty much nothing about it. But it also makes me think that maybe I should make the whole thing a nut-free facility.
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Spoons makes me think of ice cream
Baker Street makes me think of Sweeny Todd, for whatever reason. I know that was Fleet Street but...*shrug*
I like Tikkun, although I would have no idea how to pronounce it. Then, I'm not from the area and it's possible that more people in your area are familiar with Hebrew than in mine.
If you use Gingerbread House, you'd better have a LOT of gingerbread products. Or be a sweet shop.
Karma...might be good, if a little new-agey. :)
Uplifting would be my choice after Tikkun!
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You make some good points. So far, I've got a couple of people in favor of Rocky Road and one who feels strongly that it's confusing because it's too strongly associated with ice cream. Second choice seems to be Rising Tide Bakery. I'll keep thinking. Thanks for the input. :)
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Also Gingerbread House or Home Sweet Home. They're classic.
Oh, I forgot! I like Rocky Road too. ;)
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Thanks. :)
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Tikkun (as in Tikkun Aulam, a Hebrew phrase meaning "(projects to) fix the world")
Second Chance Bakery
Uplifting (helping people up and increasing happiness of all around)
Home Sweet Home
Karma
These names remind me of a new business that recently popped up in Tucson called Fed by Threads. Very, very awesome business. Actually, I'm sure the co-owner, Alok, would love having a conversation with you, share ideas and such. :) You can find them on Facebook (I've liked their page) or here: http://fedbythreads.com/pages/our-mission
I really love your idea and applaud it. I wish more businesses were like this. Maybe eventually, we'll get there. :)
Oh, and your idea also reminds me of a restaurant in Tucson called Cafe 54. They offer "employment for individuals with chronic and persistent mental disorders." Their website is here: http://www.cafe54.org/
(Yes, I'm being a lazy linker. My skillz are rusty. *g*)
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Lazy linking is fine. Lets me see and remember the URL. (But, for the record, it's [a href=url.here]words words words[/a] but with angle brackets.)
I'll check out both links. And yeah, someone with ideas would be much appreciated. Thanks for that, and for cheering me on! :)
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