If you have a quilting store close to where you live I would first see if you can work at the store on weekends. This would give you a great feel on what you need to do and if you would want to start one. I also agree that you have to have so much money on reserve because you will be working without a paycheck for a couple of years. When I started my business it was 5 years without pay and everything back into the business. Wishing you well.