I'm a self taught photographer, I have never been to college or uni to learn photography. I have just read books and watched lots and lots of you tube tutorials. I only started this business in June this year not because I wanted to start in June but more like I was forced to due to my manager letting me go earlier then my contract stated. I'm not going to lie and say I wasn't disappointed I was very disappointed, in fact very angry, because my plans were ruined, I planned to work there and start my business slowly so at least I have an income coming in and I can build my business up step by step. 
But sometimes in life as we all know, it never goes according to plan, so there I was, no money, I had half of the equipment I needed and to make thing worse I just ordered a new camera I didn't know how to use. I was in a right pickle, I had so much to learn, I was unprepared and no income. It looked like failure was was in my face before I even started.