Case 1 Maria Hernandez & Associates In June 2001, Maria Hernandez found herself out of a job for the second time in six months
As she left the building that had housed her failed dot-com employer, carrying a small box of personal belongings, her mind was already embracing a plan that would have her start her own business
At least, in her own business she would control part of her own destiny instead of being subject to the decisions of others
Hernandez was a graduate of the Massachusetts College of Art
After working three years for an advertising agency where she specialized in advertising layout
she used part of her savings to take a technical course in webpage design
Her first job after completing her training was with a startup retail dot-com that ran through its initial cash and