It is a good idea to start by having someone produce for you who has the equipment already. If you need let say at the least $15,000 for used equipment (100 pound kettle, pump, fridge, tables etc.) "yes its possible to set up a small operation for little costs" (not including rent and insurance etc) then you need to buy ingredients and make it AND take the time to sell it so by using the money to have someone produce it for you who can do it faster with better buying power for bulk ingredients then its actually sometimes cheaper then to do it your self (at first)
I have always told people "if your not making the product your not making money" but if you let someone do the work for you, then "your still making money" the question is: if it takes you 6 hours per day to produce orders you have will you make more money spending that same 6 hours going to get orders?
That depends on how hard you want to work.
if you can pour 200 pounds in a 6 hour day and you sell wholesale for $6.00 (retail $12.00) and it costs you $4.00 per pound (cocoa and overhead etc) you would net $2.00 per pound ($400 per day)
If you had someone produce for you for let say $5.00 per pound and you sold for $6.00 you would make $1.00 per pound (half of what you would make if you did it yourself) ($200 per day) BUT you would have 6 hours of free time to sell correct? by freeing up 5 days x 6 hours would be 30 hours per week you could sell.
AND if you start getting more and more sales, we can make more and more product. If you did it yourself you would then be faced with having to buy more and more equipment and more overhead.
also remember if you have a kitchen location and rent overhead most of what you make will go towards that. By having someone make it you can have a home office (take a tax deduction) and go out and sell sell sell.
You could end up making more by having someone making it for you until you hit consistent sales that would warrant you to buy your own equipment. One successful sales phone call in that 6 hour day could net you more then you would make in that same day doing it yourself. "time is money" plus you eliminate the need for problems in production, a location for a kitchen and product insurance.
you can use the funds you saved (by not buying equipment, rent etc) to pay for the products you need allowing for you to sell more. You can also have a trial and error test and along the way you may need to alter your product to suit the markets you are getting into and change in a small factory can be more and more costs.
The term "get your feet wet first" is still the way to go. I can help you if you email CLAY the website owner and send him your requests and I am sure you will find that its easier having a company produce for you faster and cheaper then DIY. and remember after you sell sell sell, you go home, relax, focus on marketing and while your sleeping your orders are being filled.
We are able to make small orders to large orders, stock and custom molds, our minimums are $200 orders so its a great entry into a great fun market.
All molds can be made to have your unique name and logo on each finished chocolate we make for you along with labeling and packaged ready for retail, all you do it sell, order and deliver!!!!!
Contact CLAY as soon as your ready to start.
