Yet anyone can tell he's a people-person. He admits he loves most of all getting to know people behind entrepreneurial businesses featured on his website. Does he chat on screen?

Not entirely. He attends as many food shows as he can. Tom samples world class everything, from truffles too pretty to eat to cheeses too tempting not to scarf. Everything is packaged beautifully. Even shows themselves have fancy names, like The Fiery Food Festival in Las Vegas. But what's just as important as fancy food is that far-from-shy Tom meets interesting people to feature in his magazine. While at regional food shows he'll travel to nearby food businesses, spending a good part of day with folks who run it and taking his own photos for online magazine.

"I like to go to heart of business," he said, "because I am absolutely infatuated with people."

His site lists regional green markets and farmers markets. Tom visits these himself, having a good time with other food lovers while he picks up supplies for his newest service, Internet Cooking School.

The computer fumbler 4 years ago is getting pretty familiar with power of technology!Big color pictures show step-by-step cooking instructions, and anyone is free to e-mail Tom a question, comment or suggestion about recipe and he'll reply. There's a food AND a people lover for you!

Tom now lives on 3 acres where he grows much of his own specialty food and is presently at work planning his herb garden patterned after Arboretum in Washington, DC. If you're a people-person working online, say hello to Tom Marshall at SpecialtyFoodAmerica.com.

Jan Strieter and her husband, a diesel mechanic for Catepillar, recently settled in upper peninsula of Michigan in a small town called Negaunee. "We love it!" exclaimed Jan, telling me how family goes snowshoeing on picturesque rock bluffs adjoining their property.

"Selling isn't something I was born with," said Jan. "I was a waitress for a long time, which taught me to listen to people. Then I worked for Tupperware and Avon." Like Eakins and Krahns, Jan sells for Buyersonline.com. What does Jan like best about selling part time from home? The extra income, of course. Jan thought a second, then added a good point. "Being around other positive people is so great!"she said. "They are awesome!"

"I put in a backyard deck!"

"I helped pay for my children's braces."

"I pay for a personal trainer!"

"My children are my hobby. My 2-year old sits on my lap while I work at home part time."

"I don't have to hide my phone bill from my husband anymore. I've eliminated it with some simple work!"

These are some of things people tell me they use money for that they earn selling part time from home. Do they "Earn Unbelievable Amounts For Doing Nothing!!" like so many opportunity ads promise? I have met some people doing that, but a lot of folks are happy with just a little extra income a month.

"Get up and get going," recommends Phyllis Eakins.

What could you do with more money in your pocket?