At Donna’s Delites and Christoph’s Creations, our business philosophy and goals are to make wonderful items and to sell them for enough money to pay our bills and enjoy a bit more of Florida's relaxed lifestyle. That's it, plain and simple. Basically, we are trying to apply Henry Ford's philosophy to our time in this modern life. I enjoy baking and Christoph enjoys creating and uber-engineering th
ings. We've been fortunate to find some people who like what we do and have paid a fair price for them. “We just need to find more people who want to pay a fair price for what we are making.”
There are two parts of that statement that we need your help with.
1. What is a fair price?
2. How do we get more people who want to pay a fair price for what we have? We truly do mean a FAIR price. If Wal-Mart starts selling vegan-friendly cookies at $3/dozen; then I would question their ingredients and cookie size. However, they aren’t and the markets that are selling high quality, diet specific items, are at a premium of up to $20/dozen. I think somewhere in between is reasonable and fair. I am looking for YOUR input on product quality, marketing and pricing. I am happy to pay for your consideration in exchange for our lovely cottage products. The same with beer hats; you can buy at baseball cap for $5 at Wal-Mart, but you can buy a very similar beer carton hat online for up to $80 plus shipping and then you have to wait for it to arrive in the mail. This is where FAIRNESS comes in. We are local and are using as much local or locally sourced items in creating our Cottage Products. We are realists and do NOT want to be the people you avoid because we’re excited about what we’re making and doing or you avoid us because you may feel “obligated” to “order” something from us. No, we don’t want to pressure our friends to buy from us. What we DO WANT, is that if you DO LIKE our product, please consider us for your weekly bread, monthly cookies, and special occasion cakes and deserts AT A FAIR PRICE AND WITH A FAIR ESTIMATED TIME OF DELIVERY, INSTEAD OF BUYING AT THE COMMERCIAL BIG STORES. We have always believed in and promoted: SHOP LOCAL! LOCAL MUSIC! CRAFT BEER! Etc, This is how our local economy stays alive. We believe that our community works well with Locals making Locals happy with good items at a fair price and with a fair estimated time of delivery, and it is even better with a smile or attached memory. As we have to create a stable financial platform for our personal survival, prices are negotiable and we do accept local trades (full and partial) for different things we like and can use. However, once a deal is struck, please “man up” and pay your tab as quickly as possible. We enjoy being out, but your word should be your bond in exchange for our Cottage Products. The term "Cottage Products" has just become very important for us. In researching "how to start" this type of business, approved kitchens, licensing, etc. I was happily shocked to find a new law which allows for small, home based food business to exist as a "Cottage Product" operation. Being able to go this "Cottage Product" route will save us a few months of stalled revenue and a few thousand dollars in start-up costs. ~~This means that we can post prices and availability here NOW, but the law prohibits sales over the internet, by mail order, or at wholesale. So, you can order a Russian bride online, but you have to call or text me at 727-644-0981 to place your order. After you call 727-644-0981, you tell me what you want, we agree to a price, and arrange a meet up time and place. If you would like, we can add you to an "on-demand message list" that lets you know what is currently baking in the kitchen, where we will be selling directly to the public, etc. :)
The FL Dept. of Agriculture regulates this and here is their info flyer: "http://www.freshfromflorida.com/content/download/10223/137606/CottageFoodAdvisoryChanges_Feb_2014_withFormNumber.pdf
A great joy and pleasure is felt every time I see someone tastefully enjoy what I have created in the kitchen. I suppose this is akin to how Christoph feels when someone watches their new whirlygig spin for the first time or tries on their new beer hat. It is the satisfaction of creating something that makes and becomes a memory. Sometimes that is a priceless accessory, but we just ask a fair price. ~~Would you pay $5 for a pair of earrings at Wally World? Are they personalized to what you drink and make a statement about your love of wine? ~~Would you pay $50 for a hip pair of earrings at Macy's or that cute boutique downtown? Again, these may not be lifetime changing items, but some that are adding whimsy or that extra touch to your life. Aside from traveling and utilities, every dollar spent with us is staying local. Be the person who is asked, "Oh, where did you get that?"
Thinking outside and beyond the box...
Aside from traveling, we're looking at reducing our global footprint. We all will die one day, and between now and then, we need to fill our time with purpose and create a positive legacy. Too much time has passed and we can't see ourselves going back to suit and boardroom life. Flip-flops and some wind in the hair sounds like an awesome future. Maybe some of us should get a few acres and create a commune of sorts. wow... i must be a hippie-chick at heart because its time to de-clutter and de-stress and just be. :)
