I'll admit that I'm still not earning quite enough of whatever
                  currency, but I certainly do think it an achievement to have paid
                  my own hefty phone bills and have enough left over for the rent
                  for the last three months now. Yep, this is the first time in two
                  years of online work. I'd hate to work out the hourly rate!

                  I don't want to put anyone off who is new to online business: I
                  do want to impress upon you that results will be neither magic
                  nor instant, but results are possible.

                  So many people want it to happen overnight. It's partly society
                  and it's partly that they just want to believe -- and when it
                  does not happen, a vast majority will have given up long before I
                  began to see results. You have to have tenacity: be like a dog
                  with a bone. Hang on and keep trying, no matter the odds.

                  I live in the remotest valley on the north of the island of
                  Tenerife, just off the African coast. Besides me and my
                  "technological toy room" that must appear as something from
                  outer space to the locals -- we had 900 goats and 49 cows on the
                  last count. It's like stepping back into the 19th Century! Which
                  all goes to prove that "working the net" really can be done
                  from absolutely anywhere, by anyone.

                  The cost of living here is cheap and the scenery inspirational:
                  that's "richness" to me in itself. For that, I'll put up with the
                  intermittent nature of Internet connections and electrical
                  supplies that make it harder for me that most of you in
                  "civilized locations". But that's what we do this for isn't it?
                  To escape the 9-5 and all the other drudgery and slavery that
                  goes with it. It's a great feeling, but it doesn't come on a
                  plate, unfortunately.

                  You are impatient, you may even be hungry, but you cannot
                  shortcut the need to spend time learning the culture, building
                  your business and your business relationships. The more so if
                  your line wasn't business before the net. Mine was, with 20+
                  years as an accountant that has been of enormous help. The
                  environment and tools may be different, but business is still the
                  same thing it ever was. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. You
                  still have to be business-like and strive at it to succeed.

                  I still have a long way to go, but I am happy to be getting
                  there. On the other hand, you can now take it from me (self-
                  appointed expert!) that it certainly is possible -- my dad said
                  it wasn't! You too might have close family and friends who
                  discourage you. It would be easy to listen to them, to give up.
                  Don't! Do they know the net? Tell them (respectfully) to go ...

                  Having got this far, you can be sure that I will not be sitting
                  back and resting on my laurels. I have some great friends and
                  associates on the net, some glowing testimonials, have plans for
                  new products and better things for my business, more joint
                  ventures ... I've only done that through learning, networking,
                  making contacts, giving something of value and thinking, not just
                  of money today, but of the long-term rewards and benefits.

                  "It is by spending oneself that one becomes rich."
                  Sarah Bernhardt, 19th century actress