poppets

Hello All,
We are coming to NZ in April & hoping to settle in the Wellington area. I have 2 small children to care for but am considering setting up a home business. I am a fully qualified chef so my first thought was to do a 'Pudding Club' making & selling puddings, including traditional stuff like bread & butter pudding, sponge pudding, spotted dick etc to order. Another thought was to make handmade cards & luxury cushions. How do you guys think these ideas would go down? Any thoughts welcomed, thanks

TruBrit

Hi poppets...sorry can't help with NZ but wish you were coming to Houston, as this lot seem to love anything English or European as they call us...good luck with your new venture...yummie love spotted dick with lovely warm custard

poppets

maybe i'll look into shipping some stuff over there

Buzzy--Bee

Hi, Kiwis all love to bake, mainly because the shops are so unaffordable in New Zealand. So they already make all their own puddings. I think you would have a tough time selling something so many people make themselves, but at least it would be cheap and low-risk to try out your idea.

Cheers

Buzzy

poppets

Nothing ventured nothing gained, i suppose, thanks anyway

Biddy

Wow - quite a generalisation and not one I'd agree with.

Buzzy--Bee

Yes, a generalization. But in my personal experience, having lived in NZ, and in the opinions of many of the posters on this forum, the Salaries vs Costs in NZ make the shops so unaffordable for many.

Cheers

Buzzy

cottageinthesky

I think the "Pudding Club" is an excellent idea - I live in Wellington and over the past few years there has been an explosion of quality ready made chilled meals - several brands are attached to quality restaurants - there is a good market for such products in Wellington, especially from the inner-city, apartment dwellers, many of whom are professional people with high incomes who haven't the time to home-bake. I read an article recently about a city butchery which makes quality savoury pies which has had great success.

Handmade cards and cushions would also have a market in Wellington as there are many up-market shops selling such items for both the home and tourist markets.

Of course, the art is also in marketing your product and finding distribution outlets - I'd be happy to help if you want to contact me offline.

There is an expat shop in Taranaki Street, Wellington, "Cool Britannia" - the owner is Claire Blanchfield - sounds like you need to have a conversation with her!

cottageinthesky

I would doubt that Poppets is looking to go into mass production and it is often surprising what people will be pay for quality and convenience.

poppets

Thanks very much, that's very encouraging will be in touch

poppets

Just looking to make a contribution to the household income & still look after the kids, doesn't have to be a massive business. \thanks to all for advice, very inspiring , cheers

scottish

What about dog walking???????