Interesting debate! Now, I`m pretty good friends with Tamara and Lorna, but I can see points on both sides here. However, I`m going to go with their take because I did start with absolutely nothing. I literally spent a dollar a day to go to the internet cafe down the street (we didn`t have internet at home) and spent that hour looking for jobs. Then I came home, wrote application letters and articles and submitted them off a diskette the next day during my hour online.

Eventually, I started getting steady work and after about a year, I did get internet, so yes, that was an investment, but I was already working for some time at that point.

You talk about office furniture . . . I wouldn`t count things you already have in your home as an investment. Even now, several years into this freelancing thing, I work off a scrounged metal table that I use as a desk. I have invested in a decent computer chair, though, since my last one broke and dumped me on my butt when I was 9 months pregnant.

So, my take? You CAN start with virtually nothing. But if you want to grow, you`ll have to invest . . . but only once you are earning the money to put back into the business.

We don’t dip into personal money, or even our shares of the take-home pay when the business needs something. Rather, Berry-Brewer has its own special account where money accumulates for times when we need to launch a new marketing venture or re-up a subscription.

Oh, and I think Shannon is quite aware that MwPs are, in fact, men. I’m pretty sure she’s got her tongue in her cheek with that one.

Umm, the other side is MEN with pens..

Tony Lawrences last blog post..Windows 7 learning experience by Anthony Lawrence

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If it’s a year later and you still can’t afford the things your business really needs, well, you didn’t make it and you need to give it up and move on.

Tony Lawrences last blog post..Windows 7 learning experience by Anthony Lawrence

I love it. That makes perfect sense.

I started my business in 1983. I had nothing – well, I had a computer and a place to plug it in.

Fortunately I had work lined up and they all paid me quickly so I survived.. and here I am in 2008 (after plenty of ups and downs over the years).

I think it’s great if you have all the money and resources you need. But if you don’t, you can still make it.

Let’s put it this way: if you have the skills and the talent and a little luck, you can make it no matter how little you have to start with.

If you have plenty of money but don’t have the rest, you’ll just burn through the money and be back in a cubicle soon enough.

Having both is nice, but not all of us had or have that luxury.

I have to say that I started about 5 years ago with little more than a brochure page website I created myself, article marketing I wrote myself, and an elance account.

Word of mouth marketing and networking are both inexpensive and provide the best kind of client. Professionalism and a good work ethic are cheap and offer a great ROI!

Looking forward to the ensuing debate!

@Wendy – Sounds like you’re definitely taking the no-frills approach. We did the same, and we’re reaching our goals on a regular basis. Good luck.

@James – In the spirit of one Miss Torrance Shipman, I say “bring it on!”

@Deb – I didn’t count the cost of the how-to books since I’d bought them a couple of years before when I was doing some research. Still, that might be something to keep in mind. Good luck getting your inaugural gig.

Of course, I haven’t gotten a single freelance JOB yet, so even so, I’m still in the hole! (grin)

–Debs last blog post..Who’s Driving this Thing, Anyway?

See you Wednesday, sisters. I’ll have my retort-… uh, I mean, my reply ready!

Wendy