I just opened my shop this weekend.
It was alot of work. More than anticipated. I cracked twice.
However, time will tell if it was a good idea or not. So far, it seems I have made quite a few happy clients.
I do not have a business degree, tho I have helped run my fathers salon, and also helped with AR/AP, and the financial end for a larger business for a few years.
The main thing is, ya need to be bird smart. Ya want people to come to you because you know your merchandise, and you know your species.
I have 32 years there. I knew what to order, I have used alot of it myself, knew alot of distributors already.