In 2005 I got together with a few friends and founded an internet company (www.localsurveyorsdirect.co.uk). We started with very little and we did not borrow any money. Initially the objective was to help homebuyers find surveyors. We wanted to provide a nationwide directory and price comparison service that would put homebuyers in direct contact with surveyors. Communications would be quick, prices would be competitive. This worked well and over time we added other property professionals, architects, structural engineers, energy assessors, electricians etc. The company has been successful and our system now processes 250,000 enquiries each year. To make this happen we have a network of approx 7,000 members and we have a team of 20 people most of whom work from home. Nothing was plain sailing and lots of things went wrong along the way. This talk should be of interest to anyone who is thinking of starting their own business. It will also be of interest to people who just have a general interest.