From 10 Hours a Week, $10 Million a Year

NY TIMES -- Jan 13 -- Markus Frind, a 29-year-old Web entrepreneur, developed software for his dating site, PlentyofFish, that operates almost completely on autopilot, leaving Mr. Frind plenty of free time. On average, he puts in about a 10-hour workweek. Mr. Frind operates the business out of his apartment in Vancouver, British Columbia, and has net profits of about $10 million a year. According to comScore Media Metrix for November 2007, PlentyofFish had 1.4 million unique visitors in the United States. In December, the site served up 1.2 billion page views. PlentyofFish does not need a support structure to handle members' subscription and billing issues because the service is entirely advertising-based. Its tagline is: "100 percent free. Put away your credit card." Its success demonstrates that many consumers will tolerate, and even embrace, advertising when a site offers a free service for which others charge membership fees. FULL ARTICLE @ NY TIMES