Has anybody here jumped from hobby to business?
I've been considering exiting the corporate rat race and opening a sandwich shop. Not a franchise but a small, artisan-type of place where I can bake bread and have a deli case, maybe pizza, too (maybe wine, too-too). Probably crazy but it's what I dream about. I've no business experience nor professional baking experience but I've been gathering data from SBA to learn more about the business side. My wife's friends' family own a local bakery so I'll be asking to volunteer there very soon. I've cooked and baked at home for ten years, enjoy it and receive very positive feedback from family (of, course - they have no choice :-) ) and friends.
I'm in no hurry and will never jump without a full awareness and a (business) plan to succeed. Not interested in getting rich - just (1) being happy pouring my energy into this passion of baking and making people happy via good food (yup, I'll have liability insurance in case I fail in that latter aspect) and (2) supporting my family.
Anybody take this plunge, live to tell about it and willing to share your experiences?
-Kurt