Hi kimi, Has these suggestions been helpful? If you are thinking about home-based businesses, you can also check out our blog about tips for food preparation and laws and regulations.

Hi kimi - Have you seen Business.gov's guide to Starting a Business in Massachusetts? I suggest you start there for the 10 key steps in starting up in MA. As BizResearcher mentioned, you will need special licenses and permits for food-based businesses. Step 9 in the guide links to Massachusetts' licensing requirements information. Best of luck to you as you start up, and please keep us posted on your progress!

Any type of facility that sells food to the public is highly regulated. First, you will need to create your business plan. Then, you need to find a location. When you find a location that fits your needs, check with your local health department to find out if the space is up to code or what it might cost to bring it up to code. Don't sign a lease until you have all the details and determine who will pay for any needed improvements, you or the landlord. Once you have a location and know you are going forward with your idea, then you can register your business name and entity type with your state or county agency that handles such things. You will also need to comply with packaging requirements if you sell items in packages and you will need to obtain a sales tax permit. If you are not comfortable handling all the requirements, you might contact your nearest small business development center or SCORE office and meet with a counselor.