success with a long arm business depends on so much--all the above posters have pointed out important considerations. I'd add that where you live also makes a difference-in my area (just my county) there are 7 of us that quilt for others--we are rural county so that is a lot of quilters! and that doesn't count the 6 others just in my guild that quilt only for themselves, plus 4 shops within 20-30 min. drive that quilt for others too. My point is some areas are very saturated with quilters. Your area also determines the price you can set and actually have interested customers--while the type of quilting, # of thread changes, use of rulers, stencils, etc all will play a part, your location and what the area will support makes a big difference too. And please know that quilting on a long arm frame is much different from moving the quilt through a machine--so the learning curve will be there as it was for all. and since most want their quilt done quickly, sometimes that "fun" part of being a quilter gets put on the backburner while you quilt the "must dos". Good luck!