In Need of Some Sage Wisdom and Advice...

I've been dreaming a lot lately. Not nighttime dreams or day dreams...I'm talking about life changing dreams. Dreaming about wanting to do something special with my life and helping to provide for my family. I'm seriously tossing around the idea of starting a knitting store. There's nothing in my area for miles, outside of our local quilt store that carries a small selection of truly excellent yarns. I think I've got a brilliant idea for the store too. I want to do something with all the eco-friendly yarns that are springing up everywhere. Also I want to highlight producers in my own state. I'd focus on having an environmentally friendly store that showcases Maine made yarns and knitting products. Of course I'd carry all the popular mid- and upper- grade yarns, too. But my main focus will be on how the 3 R's are as important in our craft as they are in our everyday life. However, I don't know where to begin with the information gathering. Where do I find yarn and knitting related wholesalers? How much inventory should I start with? I know where to go to do the business end of things - I'm going to take a course for women that will take me through from idea to actually writing a business plan and applying for loans. It's geared for this sort of thing. I need tons of direction on the rest of it!!

Hubby is actually really supportive. He wants me to go for it and he'll help by watching the little guy when I have to be gone at night for classes or whatnot. Realistically, I know I have a lot of research ahead of me before I can even think of doing this. I'm hoping to have something started in a year's time. This should give me time to take my class and research the demographics of the area and learn where I need to go for my products. With the part time job my husband hopes to get soon, I won't have to return to work and can focus on the wild man and my research.

So tell me folks, is this a crazy idea??? Could it work in this economy, in this region, in particular southern ME? Please comment and comment often!!!