[ynneb]

Hey John, I am in a similar boat to you, except I have a wife that works and supports the lows in having a self run bussiness. You are lucky because you probably dont have as much learning to do as me.
The one thing I am learning is to have a versatile machine, so that you can easily take on all sorts of work. When I got into CNC I had some subcontract work waiting for me already. That worked out well for a few months until they changed the design and it wouldnt fit on my machine. (Bugger) Whatever machine you descide to have make sure its real big.
An advantage with having a self built machine is that you wont have a big debt over your head. This allows you undercut the competition and take work from the bigger players.

As Frans/Moondog said, youll have to activley source work, and not hope it comes to you. I am at present making my machine even bigger, and even while it is down I have sourced some more work.

Be creative in your thought, look at what is already been done, and figure if you can make it cheaper and as good/better. Approach the businesses that are currently outsourcing their CNC work and boldly tell them about your services.

The other idea is to be prepared to manufacture, assemble and market your work. This way you are not as reliant on a subcontract situaton, you will be in control.

Every thing I said is theory, and I am still sussing my way through too, but it will work out eventually.

One last thing, be prepared to spend many hours not been payed. I have had times where I have spent a day getting the gcode just right only to find that they wanted a last minute change, I could have cracked the sh1ts, but bit my lip and just redid what they needed. In the end it eventually translated as payed work.

EDIT: you are soooo right about wanting to do something that interests YOU.
Befor I got into CNC, I bought a bussiness just because it looked like it was going to make lots of money, the truth is I denied myself and even contemplated suicide because of that bussiness.It was a real mill stone. Well I guess it was better to lose 45 grand than end up rotting in a grave. But DO NOT DENY YOUSELF AND NATURAL TALENTS.