Ask yourself if you are
truly ready to become a small business owner
These days;
being an entrepreneur seems to be a normal alternative to seeking employment;
it even seems to be a trending option, especially among the youth. I don’t
think that it is a negative point; actually, I’m glad that people have found
that there is an alternative to looking for a job and getting employed. It is
also an option for anyone who is employed and may not be happy with their
current situation – building your own business is an option you can choose, as
opposed to staying employed. The one aspect that you should keep in mind
though, is that it’s not the easiest thing to do, starting your own small
baking business. Be realistic on what it entails to start a baking business
that will grow and become successful. You will have a change of lifestyle; you
have to work long hours, sometimes with minimal sleep. It can also be quite
stressful and frustrating as well. It’s quite a long journey that will be
filled with ups and downs; however, when executed properly – it can be a
rewarding journey that is worthwhile.
Do the necessary
research required and choose your niche as well
If you have
asked yourself the necessary questions and you have found that you still want
to start a small baking business; then the next step I would recommend is to
research your baking business idea. Research all aspects of the business and
requirements: What direction is the baking industry currently moving towards?
What are the legal requirements? What niche options do you have? What baking
skills are required and do you have them? What will be your focus? (type of
products and target market) Where will you conduct business? Who are your
competitors? Research and get as much information as you can on the baking
industry in Kenya; this will help you have a realistic view of the industry and
how you can get into the market and earn profit.
Write a business plan
and come up with a financial budget
Whether
you’re starting a home based baking business or a bakery shop; it’s very
important to write a business plan for your small baking business. This will
give you an overview of your business and it will also bring clarity to you on
how you want your business to be set up, who you need and how much you will
need to start and keep going. This will
also give you a clear picture on the amount of money you need to start and work
with in the business at least for 3 months. Please do not skip this part; as
tedious as it may seem it’s better to write the plan and be prepared, than to
get started without the information you require and have to close down your
business six months later.
Write down your action
plan on what you need to do
Once you already know your requirements and
the amount of capital you require; then you need to make an action plan. This
is simply a list of actions you need to take, duration of time, cost (if the
action requires capital) and deadline to achieve or execute those actions. Be
thorough with this list, even if one of the actions you need to improve or
perfect your baking skills, write it down.
It's Shakespeare's birthday – 400-and-something today in human years – and to celebrate Jane and I have visited Stratford-upon-Avon. (As a dog of letters, it's right that I pay homage to a man of letters and, Elizabethan-style party hat on my bonce, bow to the bard.)
After a stroll round Stratford, where we meet some more of William's waggy well-wishers (at least I can only assume that's why this dog is dressed thus) we catch the bus to Shipston-on-Stour and check into the White Bear, where we are to meet Jane's friend Apricot for a weekend of walking. We're traversing the Shakespeare Way, in fact – we really are Shaking It Up.
I'm confident my nose would have lead us to our first port of call, the charming Cherington Arms where we relax in the garden for half an hour so the girls (middle-aged women, ahem) can catch their breath. I am in no need of catching my breath, what with all the good stuff in my Naturo charging through my body. (Here's the science bit – Jane says I have to do the science bit. It's 60% duck, 20% brown rice, 15% vegetables and the rest is vitamins, oil and minerals. It's 100% Natural, it proclaims on the pack which I thought might make it boring-bones. But it's not boring-bones. It's exciting-bones, as there are little pieces of rice and vegetables in it! (And, I discover, a little bit excruciating-bones as, for the CHALLENGE, Jane and I are being filmed at a studio in East London to report our findings. I'm very excited when I hear this – Lights, Camera, ATTLEE, Action – but Jane has decided to take on the role of Gillian McKeith for the event and discuss my poo. The shame! So as we walk the Shakespeare Way, every time nature calls, she peers at my poo before bagging it. 'It looks healthy,' she reports to Apricot. Apricot doesn't want to know. No one wants to know! Dogs have dignity Jane. Please respect it.)
She does make it up to me, rather, with a trip to the much lauded for its dog-friendliness dog-friendly Red Lion in Long Compton, so dog-friendly that the manager is a Labrador called Cocoa and the decor is all DOG! The pictures are all of my canine compadres and Jane wanders round snapping them on her camera. She chats to the dogs at the bar queuing for pigs' ears too and wonders why some are rather wary of her. That's because I've warned them you will take photographs of their poo, Jane. Sorry, but if you are going to carry on with your self-appointed role as a McKeith for mutts you must accept the consequences.
And then we're up and hill and down vale – rather beautiful hill and vale, actually, with the sun shining and smells assailing my nose which I keep, Bisto-kid style, in the air – to our final dog-friendly destination, another Red Lion Inn, this time in LITTLE Compton. How confuse-bones is that for a dog, even one taking the Naturo Change Challenge? When we walk in I figure it out, though. There are crisps on the floor and Jane and Apricot order burger and chips. The pub – after a long walk, this is exactly where I'm supposed to be.
Attlee took the Naturo Change Challenge – Naturo Pet Food, which comes in a variety of different ranges and sizes, is available from all good supermarkets and a 400g terrine of Salmon with Rice and Vegetables costs £1.20. For more information about Naturo log on to 
