website?

Alright, I need some feedback. Who wants to help me out? SUUUuuriously. I am stuck in this wierd rock and hard place. I love design. I would love to do more of it. But, I do it for the pretty. I like print, papers, making the world a more beautiful place. I don't really understand the marketing piece - well, marketing MYSELF, that is. In fact, I am a hot mess when it comes to that. SO, what I am asking is, if you are a small business owner of some sort - how did you start out? How did you build a clientele? How were you EVER able to leave a job with security, good pay, benefits for the love? I know what I want, but I don't know how to get it - advice??