For most people new to an online business, their Internet dream starts with a great idea, which can be an original ebook, affiliate program, software, or online service. Yet, most people fail to realize that from their ideas, product or service must be produced, a web site must be created, a marketing campaign must be executed, and so on and so forth.

Many people say that beauty of starting an online business is that it requires little or no startup cost. Well, truth is that if you are planning to start an online business with little or no money, be prepared to do A LOT of things yourself.

Also, starting an Internet business rarely costs nothing. At very least, you'll need a computer, an Internet connection, and a web host if you are planning to have a web site.

If you are planning to pursue your Internet dream alone, you will have to be jack of all trades. That means that you must be your own web site developer, product creator, search engine expert, links manager, ezine publisher, customer service personnel, accountant, and Internet marketer. For average person, assuming most, if not all, of roles mentioned above is indeed a daunting task.

You probably think I am going to say something like, "The customer is always right." Right?? Wrong.

I have many philosophies when dealing with customers, but I definitely do not believe that customer is always right. However, when customer is wrong, you must handle situation delicately.

There are many types of customers and each one needs to be treated with respect and consideration no matter how difficult they may be. I have found that most (not all) people can be soothed out of their "nastiness".

I used to work at our local casino and I would get all kinds of customers to deal with. Most of them were very pleasant as in IM business, but there were a few that were very difficult. There was this one night when I came in contact with this particularly difficult lady who, of course, was having bad luck. She was just a bit**in" and blaming casino!!

I calmly yet firmly talked to her in a reassuring and respectful manner each and every time I came around. I noticed that each time I did talk to her she became more and more relaxed and controlled. Until finally, later in evening, I went into Ladies Room and who should be there, but difficult lady! Well, as I came in, she burst out, " There she is. There's that girl who was so nice to me all night long and made me feel so much better"! She could not have been more grateful. ;-)