Launched a vertical ad network a few years ago with 2 friends. Took no salary for 6 months, then a small salary to pay the bills for the next 9 months. Then..

Launched a vertical ad network a few years ago with 2 friends. Took no salary for 6 months, then a small salary to pay the bills for the next 9 months. Then... business started to grow to yearly low seven figures in revenue and we're now paying ourselves a reasonable salary, contributing to retirement, and building up our company's cash reserves for future investments.