Back in 2000 I left the public sector (where I did computer security for a prominent government agency) and I went out on my own. It was a scary time. I started as an assistant for the #5 real estate agent in my area and then later was on my own. In the middle of it all, I realized the software we had to look up homes was downloading all the current homes-for-sale data in a DB form that I could publish on the web. So I set up my own website and it boosted my sales by quite a bit. I even built in the ability for customers to program their "wants" and it would then email them when homes came on the market matching their criteria. Thus was born the Alaska Home Search Network. Since then, the MLS folks have created an API so others can do the same. At my peak I was making about $30K per year simply keeping my little eMachines server running in my garage with about 100 websites on it.<p>There were one or two competitors, and one of them was heavily funded by a prominent real estate company. But competition is no big deal if your product is what the customers want, so I was able to trash them in the marketplace. I charged $50/month for the service.<p>So now, I am about to do the same in another market. Something nobody has done yet. Yeah, there are one or two dabbling with he same idea, but competition simply gives us the tools to improve our own product.<p>The reason I posted this is to assure folks that it is highly possible to create entirely new markets. It is also possible to charge recurring fees for the service you provide.<p>I am an oddity in that I have never had a failed product launch. (granted I've only done three serious products) The key is research.<p>Look at the elements of a business plan. The idea, the analysis of the possible market, detailing possible competitors, and the bottom line for the ROI. Some due diligence up front is the most important factor.<p>Have fun developing your own companies! And remember: the US economy is dependent on SMBs (small and Medium Businesses) - we generate more than 80% of the overall GDP.