My advice is tangential to your question, but here it is: Don't go into debt. That's it...not to the bank, the army, or a family member. Live within your means, and if smithing for a living is your dream then go for it, but don't owe anything to anyone until you're really, really sure that it's what you want to do. I'm young, but I already know a number of people sucked into the cycle of debt, and some others on their way there. This goes as much for college loans as business-related ones. I've seen too many people regret taking out student loans five or ten years down the road, when they're stuck working a job they hate because they have no choice but to pay bank a bank. If you just build your business as you can, the worst that could ever happen is you'll end up with nothing, but at least you won't owe any more to someone else.