I have been working with Internet related technologies since the early 1990s. After graduating as computer engineering technologist I spent 13 years working at an Internet Service Provider starting with end-user support, progressing to system administration and ending with custom application programming. Having knowledge of all sides of the Internet eco-system is a great boon when developing web applications.
Some things are more important than money. Having worked at an ISP for so long I am integrally aware of the havoc caused by disreputable individuals (spammers and other blackhats, greedy "web developers", pyramid schemers, etc.). In this business the one thing that truly defines you is your reputation and I have built mine over the last 29 years on hard work, attention to detail and commitment to the client.