I’ve played piano for the last 20 years, starting off initially with a teacher and going through the usual sheet music pieces. I used to think as you do for the longest time - “The important thing is to have fun!”
I still believe that, but I find that I learn new techniques every time I read, learn and play an existing piece - this makes my improvisation and jam sessions all that much better! So would highly recommend learning to read sheet music.
I have a similar day job, and would love to start consulting on the side. Legal and worries that it could be seen as “conflict of interest” prevent me from starting however. How do you manage that?