Started it with guys I worked with online. A lot and I do mean a lot of 100+ hour weeks. Got the idea from being dicked over and figuring if I was already managing advertising and campaigns for corporate companies, why not give it a shot with Affiliate Marketers.
I raised the money by being a publisher. My guys raised their money from being publishers. I keep the cashflow going by acquiring strategic terms that wont allow me to bite off more than I can chew.