I would love to hear how you got started?

I've been in to photography since i got my first camera age 12. Taking photos is a part of my every day life and anyone who comes in to my home can see how much images mean to me. I would love to make my passion in to something professional because i need an outlet that is not my children. The only thing is i don't know if i can justify doing a paid course financially at the moment, and i suppose i'm wondering if anyone made this their business without actually having done a course??? I've got a great artistic eye and am a visual person, logistically though i realise i don't know everything so a course would probably help.... anyway these are just thoughts i've been mulling over for a while, i'd really appreciate your feed back