Beth-->I'm not going to answer each question specifically, because some of these things vary depending on where you are. I have been longarming for around 10 years. I have 2 longarm machines. The keys to a successful longarm business are the same as any other home-based business. MOTIVATION--DETERMINATION--ORGANIZATION It won't matter if there are a hundred other longarmers out there once you establish your business. If you are doing a great job for a fair price, your customers will be loyal. There will always be someone out there who can find it done more cheaply. Let the other longarmers have them. I'm not being rude, but I appreciate the customers who care more about the quality of work I do vs. my price. I do each quilt as though it was my own. When business is slow, I make sure I still keep those machines going. When they are sitting idle, I am not making money. There are so many other things you can do besides quilting customer quilts with your longarm. I determine my schedule. So, if I feel overwhelmed, I slow down on how many I take or schedule some time off into the mix. Granted, I had a brick and mortar shop until about 2 years ago, but I still longarm. I do use a computer program. The accounting isn't bad as long as you stay on it and don't put it off.