STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Hello!
i"m new to this forum, but didn't we correspond via DOmino forum?
Anyway, hello!
I'm a former fashion designer, received my education in Israel. 4 years of the hardest work I've ever done as a student ( before that I received B.A. Degree from the University in another field &  those 3 years of B.A. seemed to be years spent in a ClubMed after I got to fashion design...) I worked for a few years in Israel for big companies & then for a few years here in LA. Generally people didn't care about the school, but your portfolio, experience in the particular field of fashion, how long the experience is, your skills...etc...
Unfortunately, I happened to work for clowns...most of my bosses/senior designers ( not all of them, but most of them) were people that you might see in a sitcom & think: "what an exaggerated stereotype!"...It made my life a living hell & my emotional state was...shattered...If you work for a company - it's also not as glamorous as you might think it is, but again, it depends on a company. I worked with so many other designers in similar positions, almost none were happy under the reign of the company ( big names:), ...the happiest were the ones who dared to open their own line - & then - there is your chance to succeed or fail. I personally almost opened a private line, but failed fast, long story, but it's personal, depends upon people you work with, your understanding of the market, you budget, your budget & your budget. It happened to me for careless reasons, but it's personal, I"m just telling, not warning:)
However, if you decide to undertake this path - think about all the hard work, extra hours & stress...I know I painted a rather gloomy picture due to my gloomy experience, however, it's all very different if you open your business ( Yeah...the economy...I remember). If you decide to work for a company - that's hard to take...Talk to more people in this field to gather as much information as possible before you take a step.
I personally wish to return to the profession one day, (as self employed only, the experience of being employed was too bitter) & I invested too much of myself in years of education & hard work. I also have 2 kids & the budget involved in starting the business is...therefore, it'll take some time.
Anyhow, I do hope I didn't put you down, I just felt I should honestly answer your question in forum:)