How little I know!!!

Since joining this forum a few days ago..I have been reading some of the threads to gain some insight and become familiar with some of the members here.

Some of you people are so business smart and I am feeling totally inadequate. My pet/bird shop is 17 months old and the store is paying the rent/bills and we have a 5k business credit card debt. I should have done more research before we opened and I think I would be feeling more confident.

We had a misstep last Spring where our web site was not as visible as it had been the prior years with the home based business so my sales on baby parrots was down 95%. The problem is fixed with the web site so I am counting on this Spring to provide the sales that at least are measurable to my prior years sales. Each year I usually attempt to have goals that exceed the past year but with this misstep..i think I have to look at it from a different perspective. Also..the fact that I am now a store and not a home based business changes things as well. I have been getting discouraged but not ready to give up. Any feed back is greatly appreciated.

I think my major concern is; 17 months in and only being able to pay the bills and expenses , is that usual and am I where I should be?