My background .....(since you asked....)
Well to start with I was raised by a "melomane" (a french word which as no english equivalent, it's roots are "melo" from melody and "mane" from maniac). Anyhow, having been raised by such a person means, that by the time I entered 1st grade, I was introduced to pretty much all the musical styles that was ever put on records at the time.
To add to this experience, although he wasn't an "audiophile", he had what was by far, the best hi-fi system in the neighbourhood.
I started mixing live shows at 18, a year later I was mixing the best bands in town with the best P.A. available at the time.
I retired from the road in '96 ( nearly 20 years later). The bus bunk life eventually got to me.
Thrue it all I dabled in studios, but never pursued it seriously, until I hooked up with a semi successfull producer. The biggest problem we had was distances, he lived 200 miles away. So I decided to set myself up a "mixing suite", to continue my working relationship with this friend producer.
When I started looking around for mixing work locally the response wasn't very positive, as everyone thinks they can mix their own projects. (sounds familiar?). But almost all those I asked , asked me If I was planning to do any "mastering" as the only shop in town wasn't doing a good job !
Soooooo ........... I did lots research (which includes Brad's forum) and thought I'd give it a try. That was 16 months ago or so. The biggest problem was getting my room "under control". And that as only happended 4 months ago.
Being an ME is only a partime gig for me at this time (my full time gig being technical director in a softseater). So far, with nothing else then word of mouth, besides multiple demo projects, I have a dozen CDs under my belt, half which got airplay. My investments as paid for itself thus far.
I love this gig. My past serves me well, and I hope this will eventually develop to a full time gig.
OFF TOPIC (two things)1- even being at the very bottom end of the totem pole, I get plenty of work taken away from me by kids and their WL crack !!!! As frustrating as it is for me I can just imagine how those of you pros with major investment feel about it all. 2- I too struggle with the volume war but I'm not giving up on making a stand against that stupidity.
Sorry about my long rant, but I figured I might as well give you the big picture then ....... "Hey I bought myself WL and I'm now an ME" !!!!!!!!!