Getting started
Starting a Sourdough Business: 5 Steps to Your First Sale
A clear path from your first loaf to taking orders and getting paid, with the real monthly cost.
On this page
- The five steps from first loaf to first sale
- Pick a name you can print on a label
- Check your state cottage food rules before you sell
- How many loaves to bake in your first batch
- How to choose packaging without overspending
- Price a loaf so ingredients, labor, and overhead are all covered
- How to track ingredient costs and margin each week
- Set up a simple way to take orders and get paid
- What to do after your first sale
- Mistakes that cost you money in month one
What to remember
- Your first step is checking your state rules.
- Price must cover ingredients, labor, and overhead.
- Brevl is $20 a month with 0% commission.
- A 14 day free trial lets you test taking orders.
Starting a sourdough business starts with decisions, not a commercial kitchen. The first decisions are your name, your price, and how you will take orders. Get those right and the baking is the easy part.
The five steps from first loaf to first sale
Pick a name
Choose a name you can say out loud and print on a label. Check that the name is not already taken in your state.
Check your state rules
Look up your state cottage food law or call your health department. Do this before you sell anything.
Price your loaf
Add up ingredients, your time, and your monthly overhead. Brevl costs $20 a month.
Set up your shop
Use Brevl to take orders and get paid. It works on your phone and computer.
Take your first order
Tell friends, family, and local groups. Start with a small batch and grow.
Pick a name you can print on a label
Your name is the first thing customers see. It should be easy to spell and easy to remember. Check that the name is not already used by another bakery in your state. You can also check if the web address is free. A name that is hard to spell will cost you orders. For more help, see good sourdough business names.
Say the name out loud before you print labels. Ask two people to spell it after hearing it once. If they misspell it, pick a simpler name. A clear name saves you time on every order.
Check your state cottage food rules before you sell
You need to know your state rules for selling food from home. Look up your state cottage food law or call your local health department. Do this before you take a single order. The getting started guide walks through the first steps. You can also see how another home bakery handled costs in starting a baking business.
Write down what your state allows you to sell and where you can sell it. Keep a copy of the rule with your records. If the rule is unclear, call your health department and ask before you bake for sale.
How many loaves to bake in your first batch
Your first batch should be small enough to sell out and small enough to learn from. Pick a number you can bake, cool, and package in one day. If you sell 20 loaves, you learn your timing without a large loss. Wait for orders before you buy packaging in bulk.
How to choose packaging without overspending
Packaging is part of your ingredient cost, so price it before you buy. Choose one bag and one label that fit your loaf. Buy a small amount first and test it with real orders. Bulk packaging saves money only after you know your best seller.
Price a loaf so ingredients, labor, and overhead are all covered
Start with the cost of one loaf. Add the flour, starter, salt, and packaging. Then add your time. Then add your monthly overhead. Brevl costs $20 a month. For example, your overhead is $20 a month for Brevl. You add your ingredient cost and your labor cost. The money left after all three is your margin. You can use the Brevl calculator to get your exact numbers. Do not price from ingredients alone or you will not pay yourself.
Suppose one loaf uses $3 of flour, starter, salt, and packaging. You pay yourself $6 for the labor. Your overhead is $20 a month. If you sell 20 loaves, overhead is $1 per loaf. Your total cost is $10 per loaf. At a $12 price, your margin is $2 per loaf. That margin is what lets you replace equipment and cover surprises.
How to track ingredient costs and margin each week
Keep a simple list of what you paid for flour, starter, salt, and packaging. Add your labor hours and your $20 monthly overhead. Use the calculator to see your margin after all three. Update the list when a price changes so your margin stays real.
Set up a simple way to take orders and get paid
Brevl gives you a shop you can customize with your photos and colors. You get your own web address. You can take card payments through your own Stripe or Square account. You can also take Venmo, Cash App, Zelle, and cash. It works on a computer and on a phone. The cost is $20 a month with 0% commission. There is a 14 day free trial. We set it up with you and move your old shop over.
Set your shop hours and your pickup window before you share the link. Add your payment options so buyers know what to expect. Test one order yourself before you tell friends.
What to do after your first sale
After your first sale, ask the buyer what they liked and what they want next. Keep the same small batch until you can repeat your timing. Add equipment only when orders grow. Tell your first customers when your next bake day is.
Mistakes that cost you money in month one
The biggest mistake is pricing from ingredients alone. Your time and your overhead matter. Another mistake is buying packaging before you have orders. A third mistake is skipping your state rules, because one fine can wipe out your profit.
A fourth mistake is not keeping track of your ingredient costs. You will not know your real margin. A fifth mistake is not paying yourself. If you do not pay yourself, you are not running a business.
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- How to Start a Sourdough Business: 5 Steps and First Costs
- Sourdough Business Plan: 5 Numbers Before Your First Loaf
- Starting a Sourdough Microbakery: 5 Steps Before You Bake
Common questions
Do I need a commercial kitchen to start a sourdough business?
Not always. Check your state cottage food law or call your health department. The rules vary by state. Do this before you sell. You can also ask other home bakers in your area what they did. This guide is general information, not legal advice.
How much does it cost to start a sourdough business?
Your main costs are ingredients, packaging, and any state permit. Brevl costs $20 a month with 0% commission. You can start with a 14 day free trial. Check your state rules before you start. Start small and add equipment as orders grow.
How do I take orders and get paid?
You can use Brevl to set up a shop with your own web address. Take card payments through your own Stripe or Square account. You can also take Venmo, Cash App, Zelle, and cash. Brevl works on your phone and computer. It costs $20 a month.
What should I charge for a loaf of sourdough?
Start with your ingredient cost per loaf. Add your time and your monthly overhead. Brevl costs $20 a month. Then add a profit margin. Check what other bakers in your area charge. Do not price from ingredients alone or you will not pay yourself.
Do I need a business license?
That depends on your state and your local rules. Check with your state and your local health department. Some states may require a permit or a license. Some may not. Ask other home bakers what they needed. This guide is general information, not legal advice.
General information, not legal or tax advice.