At the risk of sounding (un)humble, I enjoy telling the story of Londons Times Cartoons and my stores in hopes that it will be an inspirations to others who lost their jobs due to downsizing, health, disability, or any other reason. I "gave up" for a few years, kind of drifting. Then I decided to take what little money I had, buy a used beat up computer, found an abandoned metal warehouse in rural Ms. that a friend of mine let me live and work in, (the computer was $300 IBM Clone; used, worth about $20), I got a dial up Internet connection, a book called "Internet 4 Dummies, and my stray dog Thor whom I still have and is my best friend and administrative assistant.

 Fast forward a decade. I am in a high-rise in Hot Springs, Ar; beautiful mountains surrounding me, own the largest offbeat cartoon site on the Internet and most visited 7.7 million visitors since 2005 and 6500 cartoons, www.londonstimes.us, I have a superstore that features 65,000+ imaged items in 23 different categories, my own clothing line bearing my cartoon images (includes gifts and collectibles) www.ricklondonwear.com and my dog Thor is still with me at age 20. I have a beautiful wonderful "significant other" who lives on the west coast, and I am thinking of buying a place there too (but keeping mine in Hot Springs). I love what I do. I went back to school and finished 3 years in business; taking a long needed break and traveled most the year.

Ten years ago I was sleeping on a concrete floor in a sleeping bag with piles of junk all around me, no heat or air, no hot water or bath (washed in the sink in cold water) for a year. But it takes what it takes. If you persist, and want something bad enough, offer customers what they want at a price they want and when they want it, there is no other choice but to succeed. I am 53 now, and I am no guru or expert, I just believe in not giving up, and obstacles are simply obstacles and are nothing more than challenges to be overcome. I am very proud of my business, not because I worked so hard to build it from scratch, but because every time someone buys something, I know they get a smile or a laugh. Every time someone visits my cartoon site (its free, no membership or credit card) they also laugh (I hope).

 So please drop by some of my sites and let me know what you think. I'd love to hear your success stories that you started from scratch. By the way, my girlfriend is an attorney, and, after starting her business from a park bench (immigrated from Europe) is now one of the top attorneys in Los Angeles. We have a strong chemistry, love and fight fairly, and get along beautifully. I wish you the same success; it is never too late; I didn't do much of anything right the first half of my life. If I can do it, anyone can.

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By The Rick London Group.

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