Me too ...
After a 16 year carreer in the aviation industry I too took a job on the support team of a small software house using my customer facing skills to gain experience and qualifications in database development and data transfer.
I was customer services manager for that company for ten years before going independent.
I too have now been an independent database developer for six years and currently split my time between two busy London based clients. I create and manage SQL Server databases and write SSRS reports. After managing staff and customers my life is now less stressfull, more challenging, and more satisfying!
Converting a hobby into a carreer has worked wonders for me.
🙂