You are correct in part, but there are good kiln driers that can produce good quality timber, that can turn around the load in about fifty days
and cheaply, study this link
http://www.arrowsmiths.co.uk/timber.htm.
You can still turn around a tidy sum from doing/milling your own stuff at weekends, air dried timbers here in the UK are sought after, top cabinet makers are always on the look out for it and it brings three times the money compared to the forced/quick dried poorer quality lumber from big outlets.
My mill can easily turn around 2000 + fbds a day, yes its a manual rigg, but not hard work at all compared to a chainsaw outfit, she simply glides along on a set of roller bearings, this also gives you complete feedback for when the blade is dull, unlike the driven systems which blast their way through and sometimes ruin bands.
Which would pay for itself sooner a mill like mine at $ 4500.00 dollars, 2000 +fbds a day, or a decent sized chainsaw mill and saw at $ 1500.00, at the weekends.
If one can get timber through the day job, stack it up cut it use it, sell the by product for whatever amount, I'm living proof of this and I'm laughing all the way to the bank, bigger and more is not always the best, its what you make the best of what you have got that matters.
I must say though I really like your furniture, especially the walnut futon's and the Shaker end tables, nice and plain but functionable, keep up the good work.
Davy.