A Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operation (MEHKO or MHKO) allows you to legally run a small food business right from your own kitchen at home, and serve your customers right on your premises like a real restaurant! With a MEHKO, you can cook, sell, and serve fresh meals directly to customers. You do need to make, […]
What Is a Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operation (MEHKO)? Read More »
Local Business Ideas, Series
A Cottage Food Operation (CFO) is a type of small food business in California that allows you to legally make and sell certain homemade foods directly from your home kitchen. This program is perfect for anyone wanting to sell non-perishable, low-risk foods that don’t need to be refrigerated, such as baked goods, jams, and dried
What Is a Cottage Food Operation (CFO)? Read More »
Series, Local Business Ideas
Dreaming of selling your homemade treats or meals? In Riverside County, you can turn that dream into reality—right from your own kitchen! With two main options, the California Cottage Food Operation (CFO) and Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations (MEHKO), local home cooks can legally start selling food to the community. Whether you’re into baking cookies, making
Your Guide to Starting a Home-Based Food Business in Hemet & San Jacinto Read More »
Series, Local Business Ideas
Building business networks and managing a business takes knowledge and skills that grow over time. Fortunately, plenty of resources are available to help you learn the essentials of marketing, operations, and management at your own pace. Here are some top platforms to help you get started: Amazon Small Business Academy Amazon’s Small Business Academy provides
Step 10: Educate Yourself Read More »
Series, Local Business Ideas
Joining local business networks within the San Jacinto Valley or Inland Empire area gives you access to valuable opportunities for networking, mentorship, advice, and resources tailored to new entrepreneurs and small business owners. Just imagine how many reliable sources for local business insurance you’ll find through your professional local networks. Plus, when locals shop locally,
Step 9: Join Local Business Networks Read More »
Series, Local Business Ideas
Yes! Your local business bank account is open. Now, it’s time to look into business insurance, just in case your San Jacinto or Hemet Valley business needs it. Starting a business comes with its fair share of risks, and getting the right insurance can help protect you from financial loss if anything goes wrong. Here’s
Step 8: Obtain Business Insurance Read More »
Local Business Ideas, Series
In the last post, we covered various types of local business permits required for business owners in Hemet and San Jacinto. Now, it’s time to prepare your venture for the financial world. And that means opening a business bank account, hopefully here in the local area. This post covers the basics, as some options for
Step 7: Open a Business Bank Account Read More »
Series, Local Business Ideas
Depending on your business type and location, you might need additional permits to legally operate—even if it’s a home-based business. Now, with your state tax registration out of the way, let’s dig into this a bit for San Jacinto and Hemet aspiring business owners! These permits ensure that your business complies with safety, health, and
Step 6: Obtain Business Permits Read More »
Local Business Ideas, Series
Cool! Now, you have your local business license. Time to move on to the next step… getting registered for state taxes. If your business sells goods or taxable services in San Jacinto, Hemet or anywhere else in California, you need to register for state taxes through the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA).
Step 5: Register for California State Taxes Read More »
Series, Local Business Ideas
Now that you have your EIN from the IRS, it’s time to get your local Hemet or San Jacinto business license. This gives you the legal right to operate within your local area. It’s a good idea to get your business license before registering for California state taxes. Here’s why: In short, get your business
Step 4: Obtain a Business License in Hemet & San Jacinto Read More »
Local Business Ideas, Series