Dave-T

tilings a good career. Being a finishing trade, its very rewarding at times, (but also VERY frustrating at times), As long as you have a creative mind, and plenty of patience you'll be fine. One option to bear in mind, is to work on the books with a tile retailer if they employ theyre own tilers. Granted you earn less in wages than you would self employed, but your normally provided with a van, all your tools, and a steady supply of work. Also the piece of mind in knowing that even if you stuff up a job, you'll still get paid at the end of the week.
Tools, Van, Tax, Insurance, Advertising, etc all add up.
I worked for years for a retailer, and would never go back self employed.