Instructions

1

Determine the goals that you want to reach with your catering business. Finances are not the only consideration. Keep in mind that when you are starting a catering business, you will have personal goals that you want to reach, too.
2

Analyze the demographic that you want to reach with your catering company. Different segments of the population will require different menus and types of food. Weddings will require a more extensive variety of food than if you are going to be catering Sunday brunches for the older country club set.
3

Decide on the marketing strategies that will work best for your catering company. Without an endless amount of advertising dollars, you will need to be creative. Flyers on cars in a retail parking lot is one inexpensive way to get the word out about your new company.
4

Be honest with yourself regarding the risk involved in starting your new catering company. List the potential issues that could come up that would make or break a small catering business and go forward with these issues in mind. Are there are a lot of other catering businesses in your area? Do you have a lot of experience in this type of work? These types of things could help or hurt the risks of your business.
5

Take into account the eventuality of expanding your catering company. If you have a clear idea of how you might grow your business, it is more likely that your business will grow. Do some research on how to franchise a business in the event that you become an entrepreneur in the catering world.