from courses to sales tips

According to the Brazilian Micro and Small Business Support Service (Sebrae), the country currently has 1.6 million individual microentrepreneurs (MEIs) in the food segment, after 29% increases in registrations in 2020; 26% in 2021; and 17% in 2022. The numbers show that getting your hands dirty, literally, was the way out that many people saw to economically overcome the Covid-19 pandemic.

— At a time of high unemployment and many uncertainties, many people used their culinary skills to generate extra income and even main income. Faced with this, entrepreneurs started businesses in their own homes, producing meals, snacks, sweets and cakes – says Sebrae Rio analyst Rebeca Castro.

Nutritionist Claudenice de Jesus Silva, 31, became a micro-entrepreneur in the segment last year. She was unemployed when she called her mother, Claudelice, 47 years old, a guardianship counselor, to cook and sell healthy lunchboxes.

— Right after we started to be entrepreneurs, we signed up for a free four-month entrepreneurship course at Sebrae, and it was very useful. We were completely lost in relation to the bureaucracies of a business — says Claudenice, emphasizing the importance that the balance of lunchboxes gained in their lives: — Currently, my daughter and I are formally employed. But half of our income comes from lunchboxes.

The legal figure of the individual micro-entrepreneur has a low cost for the entrepreneur — with monthly taxes of around R$ 50 — and guarantees access to social security benefits. It’s just a first step for those who want to undertake. But the business can take off.

— The biggest transition indicator from MEI to Microenterprise is billing. This is because MEI has an annual billing limit of BRL 81,000, which corresponds to BRL 6,750 per month. In addition, the entry of a partner, the need to hire more employees and the opening of branches are also factors that lead to the transition to micro-enterprise – explains Rebeca.

Sergio Sandes, now 34 years old, started selling hamburgers in Nova Iguaçu as a MEI, together with a friend, in May 2016. At the time, he was studying for a civil service exam at the same time.

— In August 2017 the business had already become a micro-enterprise. In 2019, I was summoned for a bank vacancy, from a contest I provided. I accepted, but I stayed in the position for a month and left. The hamburger shop gives me a bigger return – he says.

Sergio’s Usina Hamburgueria currently has five units in the state of Rio.

Improve kitchen and management

Although entrepreneurship is often born in improvisation, seeking to improve is the only way to grow. Glaucia Leite, 36, invested BRL 30 and started selling truffles in 2019, after being fired as a cashier at a fruit and vegetable market. As she received orders for parties, she realized that expanding the menu would pay off. And she prepared for it.

— I didn’t know how to bake a cake. So, in 2021, I entered a confectionery course and another cake design course at the Gourmet Institute. I finished in November and if before I sold R$50 worth of truffles for a week, I currently earn from R$200 to R$400 for just one cake — account.

This is not an isolated case. Therefore, Sebrae Rio analyst Rebeca Castro says:

— The lack of a structured business plan, a professional cash flow and a qualified workforce is the main pain point in business. The best way to deal with these issues is to invest in training — he says, continuing on some important topics: — It is important that the professional has specific knowledge of financial controls, menu management, inventory management, price formation, customer service, sales and marketing, as they contribute to the success of the business and minimize the risks of failure.

Therefore, EXTRA brings below a list of courses that entrepreneurs can seek, in addition to tips for the first steps of the business.

how to train

Senac RJ – Has courses at different levels in Gastronomy, such as Japanese Cuisine (three installments of R$ 299.67), Sweets for Parties (three installments of R$ 269.67) and Natural Fermentation in Baking (three installments of R$ 236 ,67). In addition, there are courses in Marketing, and Administration and Management. See more: rj.senac.br.

Estácio – The project “Your year to shine” brings 600 free virtual courses costing 10 installments of R$ 5.99. There are options in Gastronomy, Management, Administration, Logistics, etc. See also, in person, at the Maracanã unit, there is a degree in Technologist in Gastronomy, with a price starting at R$805.63. In Barra (Estácio Tom Jobim), there is a postgraduate course in Baking and Confectionery, which costs from 18 installments of R$ 472.76. In Nova Iguaçu, there is a postgraduate course in Gastronomy with an emphasis on Brazilian Cuisine, from 18 installments of R$ 477.62. Find the phones and addresses of the units at https://estacio.br/.

Carolina Sales School – The confectioner launched a virtual school with confectionery videos, smart and profitable recipes, tips for assembling a professional kitchen. Interested parties can pay BRL 49.90 for access for one month or BRL 394.80 per year. Meet:

Firjan Senai – The technical course in Food has an open class in Tijuca, with the cost of 16 installments of R$ 360. At a distance, the improvement course in “Nutritional Labeling of Packaged Foods” costs R$ 173.41. “Hygiene and Food Handling” and “Good manufacturing practices”, R$ 64.87 each. Learn more at www.firjansenai.com.br.

Sebrae – The Entrepreneur Development Program (PDE) is a launch that trains entrepreneurs in management areas that cover any business, such as strategy, finance, people and product. The “Food outside the Home” section lasts 30 hours. Access: Sebrae Rio will subsidize 75% of the training and the values ​​will be affordable for those who participate.

Fecap – Among the free holiday courses, the institution has one that addresses the general rules relating to Micro and Small Businesses. Visit: www.fecap.br/curta-duracao.

Cruzeiro do Sul Virtual – Provides free online courses that cover several areas of activity, such as Entrepreneurship, Marketing and Business. See the options here: www.cruzeirodosulvirtual.com.br.

Gourmet Institute – It has nine courses in its curriculum: Professional Confectionery, Professional Confectioner, Professional Cook, Professional Baker, Cake Designer, Fit Cook, Chef Mix, Make and Sell, Gourmetzinhos. It also opens workshops at popular prices, costing from R$ 100 to R$ 150. See the addresses of the units at https://institutogourmet.com.

How to regularize the business

According to Sebrae RJ, to start operating, you must have basic permissions: CNPJ, license, health licensing and Fire Department licensing – it can be done online or simplified by Carioca Digital. The process is done free of charge.

How to prepare the kitchen

Sebrae RJ teaches: start with the Anvisa Good Practices Manual, but the ideal is to always be aware of the Anvisa website, as these standards may undergo updates. But for those who work with food, it is essential to take care of hygiene, both personally and in the environment. Hair always tied up, nails short and unadorned and the kitchen always very clean are the starting point.

how to sell

Business social media is a portfolio: make a beautiful digital menu, with well-produced photos.

Carolina Sales draws attention to the fact that it is possible to place advertisements on marketplaces, delivery apps or sales at your doorstep to get started. After an observation period, it is possible to understand in which channel your sales stood out the most, and then invest in the niche.