regardless of what you do, you are doing something and bettering yourself, I’m proud of you.

Aside from the obvious (that I don’t have a clue how to go about putting together a business plan), I just don’t see any bank giving me a loan. I’ve made stupid choices in my past that are going to haunt me for years to come. Not to mention… I can’t even afford a place to live, let alone figure out how to open a business.

And as far as the farmhouse idea… there’s actually a small town nearby that has a house for lease for commercial use, and everytime I drive by it on the way to Granny’s, I think how much I’d love to be able to get it.

Maybe I’m just too scared to try it for fear of failure. That’s the main reason I haven’t considered graduate school before now.

[Tech throws in a monkey wrench]

Why?!?

If that is you dream, do that! Just do it smartly. Start with a business plan. Find areas within driving distance that doesnt have a borders near it, but is still affluent enough that its likely that there is a market for a bookstore. (i.e. i’d lose the farmhouse concept for now). do some legwork and see how the area would receive a bookstore/cafe.

Explore costs. Where do you get books from (i’m sure they are ordered from a publisher, but perhaps there are distributors). Call up some publishers and see what it takes to get books. Then look at rents, etc etc.

See what kind of volume you need to have for you to pay rent, supplies, etc etc and for you to eat.

Put it all together in a business plan and go for a loan.

This is not simple. Its hard work. Its tedious (I’ve done it a few times). But if its what you think is your dream….DO IT!