I'm in the fact gathering stage right now.  I've worked in the interior design business for 18 years now, and I'm going to be doing some freelance consulting.  Similar to what the Design Doctors offer.   I have young school age kids, so I will dive in head first this fall.

The biggest obstacle about getting started is that a lot of people don't value what I do.  They think what I do is "so much fun!" and that I should just be happy to offer opinions on paints and fabrics and such.  What I do is fun!  But I also want to make some money using my talent.

To everyone reading this and is on the edge about starting their own business...

"If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you always got."

~Dr. Kim Ventus  (and many others)

 If I were you, I would consider this entire thread A SIGN. 

5 years ago, I took a leap of faith and started my own business. I was
in debt up to my ears, stressed out 24/7 and was working multiple jobs
to stay afloat. It was when I invested the time and energy in to myself
that I was able pay off the debt (we're talking over $20,000 in credit
cards alone), buy a new car and LEAVE MY STUPID, SOUL SUCKING CORPORATE
AMERICA JOB. I am paid what I'm worth and I love my boss. (ok, that was
corny...)

 I am a big believer in the concept of "if you are going to
work your a$$ off, you might as well work your a$$ of for yourself."
It's hard work at first but anything worth having is worth working hard
for. I know I sound like a fountain of cliches, but I just wish more
people would believe in themselves more and JUST DO IT. Stop making
excuses and be proactive. There are a lot of steps in building your own
empire, but if you make a pact with yourself to do AT LEAST 1 thing per
day to help move you toward your dream, you will get there.

The
things that people consider hurdles really aren't. There is insurance
plans available for the self employed. You will figure out taxes, on
your own or with some help. Yes, you may have to continue working your
current job until you get off the ground...IT IS WORTH IT!!! 

If
you think no one believes in you, I DO. It's true. If you need someone
to hold you accountable for helping you make your dreams come true, you
know where to find me. :)  

 ( I didn't want this to be
an advertisement for my business, but since you are probably wondering
what I do, check out my website  www.GoddessMissy.com )

I don't meanto be the downer on all this, but I've owned my own business and I happily went back to work for someone else after two years. I loved going out and meeting and helping people. But I was first shocked, and then hurt by some of the realities out there.

For example, I still have over $8000 in money that is owed to me. It is surprising that you can go to a business do the job you were hired to do and then you have to fight and beg and plead to get paid!

The other unfortunate reality I came across was that sales is a huge part of business whether you like it or not.

One case came up where I was fighting for a contract and I had them sold on my price and my experience and then another company went in and schmoozed their way in by promising a higher quality of work that "that other company" (me) and also giving a percentage of the contract to the guy who made the deal (So a kick back to the comany that guy from the comany who hired them). Then they called ME and asked me to do the contract for them since they didn't have anyone that knew how to do it. So they had NO experience and got the company to hire them at a higher price so they could turn around and hire ME at the bid I'd originally given and keep the rest for themselves for doing nothing.

Now I'm working for a company that pays me less than I was making for myself, but I get the money every week and I don't have to go through the emotional ups and downs anymore.