These days, it seems like everyone wants to work from home and make money on the Internet. But before you even turn on your computer, the first question you have to ask yourself is whether you're cut out for this kind of work.

The fact is, building a home-based business isn't for everyone. Some people like the commute. They really do enjoy having a boss who tells them what to do, and they like the routine of working nine-to-five for an ordinary salary that can barely pay the mortgage. Personally, I think they're nuts.

More reasonably, there are people who are concerned about the risk of starting up their own business. They're not sure it's worth the investment of time and money, and they're scared of the responsibility that comes with running their own company. They wonder if there is another way to escape the rat race.

I'm sure there is. You could win the lottery or wait for your Aunt Sue to keel over and leave you her condo. Or maybe you could sit down with a pen and paper and draw the blueprint for "The Next Big Thing". Anything can happen... Right?

For me, what happened was creating a successful, self-running Internet marketing system. It didn't happen without effort. It didn't happen without at least some initial investment of both time and money and, of course, it doesn't happen now without me making sure that the taxes are filed and the paperwork is done. But it happened.

I'm my own boss. I work from home according to my own schedule and I get to pocket all the cash my business makes. If you're prepared to give an e-business the time, the work and the money it needs to get started and get growing, it can happen for you too.