Sorry if this isn't the best place to post it. I hope that it reaches the right audience, though.

I am 17 years old and about to go to college. Obviously I have plenty of time to change my major (right now I am majoring in biology for pre-veterinary medicine). Although I only have been seriously baking for a year and half, I know that I have found my passion. I love everything about baking, even large-scale. My dream--far-fetched as it may be--is to one day open a vegan bakery, somewhat similar to Great Harvest (where I work over the summer), selling bread and sweets. Clearly Great Harvest has it a lot easier with connections ot the national franchise, but same idea.

I know that there is a high failure rate for new bakeries, but do you think I should follow this dream and work (and I know it will take a lot of it) to open a bakery? I went through all of the college process because I was torn (and still am somewhat) between becoming a veterinarian and becoming a baker, two drastically different jobs. I feel morally compelled to become a veterinarian, but my true love is baking, so I believe that I would prefer the latter.

Next year, I will be on scholarship at university. In anyone's experience, is a business major (and MBA) helpful to running a bakery, or is it mostly a waste of time? Same for culinary/baking/pastry school. Is trying to open a bakery even worth it at all, or should I focus on a more reliable career and relegate baking to a hobby?

I appreciate anyone's opinion, and please be honest--I can handle whatever harsh stories you have to share.

Thank you!

Taylor