I'm still hesitant about this. As far as I can tell (and thank you to everyone for your experience), the most difficult thing will be marketing in the beginning. So if I decide to go the route of starting my own biz, I think I might take some marketing courses at a local college.
My other thought was (and I think Malibu suggested this a while ago) to find a job at a local bed and breakfast. Then I'd be able to cook, but not work nights, like at any normal restaurant. The only problem is, I hate eggs and everything made with them, so I'm not sure I'd be able to create great egg breakfast dishes. I am reading a "molecular gastronomy" book right now, though, and last night I read the chapter on how to cook the perfect quiche. That's interesting, because it's something that really wows people at breakfast. I have a feeling I'd end up making minimum wage if I started at a B&B, though, since I have no experience. :( But at least it would be completely steady money, versus the prospect of losing money with my own business.
one thing i forgot to mention
the first year of business, i still worked at my fulltime job
after i had secured business for about a year, then I quit
and then i didn't manage my money well enough and i had to get a temp job this winter .. which kind of stinks
but i'm about to quit.. i just took off today to catch up on some work and i'm already reminded how great this is
hmm more accurately
I started my business January 2004, started advertising, etc.
Did my first wedding with another photographer in April 2004.
Did my first wedding on my own in August 2004.
Quit my job May 2005 when I had enough weddings booked for a year that I knew it would be okay.
Huh... well this is less encouraging than the other stuff that's been said.
yeah i probably should have said that sooner.. it takes a while to build up a clientelle - at least in my business
it might be different for diffrent businesses
hmm one more thing i should have said
when i was starting out our financial situation was NOT GOOD
if you already have money saved etc. and you're in a good spot financially and you can afford to take a little bit of a paycut maybe for a little while, then it won't be as bad
i basically had to keep my fulltime job until I knew i was secure