[I would suggest trying to meet a designer for either your craft or a similar one (maybe thru a yarn shop or such) and try to sit down and talk to them about your business plans. Not to get any proprietary info but how long it took them and anything positive or negative they could tell you. I know several local quilters were helped here by a long time shop owner who herself was published.

For example, can you find anyone who sells thru Ravelry or in a local shop? No need to reinvent the wheel. All part of business research.