When your entrepreneurial aspirations seem a bit too far-fetched, take a look at this success story for inspiration. Ashley Qualls, 17, started a website at the age of 14 with $8 she borrowed from her mother. Now her site, whateverlife.com, is grossing more than $1 million a year and helping Qualls' family live more comfortably. Prior to the launch of her site, Qualls lived in a one-bedroom apartment with her mom and sister. Since starting her site, she's been able to purchase a four-bedroom home for her family and has hired her mother as her manager.

Qualls got the idea for Whateverlife when she noticed her friends personalizing their MySpace pages. She began creating and sharing designs for MySpace backgrounds through her site. Advertisers quickly began flocking to Whateverlife, and Ashley quit school to focus on growing her biz. These days, the website guru continues developing her site with the help of some friends she hired and has even turned down offers for her own reality series, saying she values her privacy too much to get involved in one.

According to Financial Times  (registration required), the U.S. House of Representatives voted to extend a tax moratorium yesterday. The ban was first adopted in 1998 to promote internet access and to stop the creeping local taxation in the early days of the net. Specifically, the ban prevents internet access from being taxed and eliminates discriminatory taxes treating internet sales differently than other types of sales. Despite opposition from state and local government, the moratorium will be extended for seven years and is considered a victory for technology companies. "While we continue to fight for a permanent measure, for the next seven years at least, the private sector can invest in e-commerce and broadband deployment without fear of discrimination," said Phil Bond, head of the Information Technology Association of America.

The Senate approved the legislation last week, and now President Bush is expected to sign it before the current tax ban expires on Thursday.

About 37 percent of small-business owners say growth is their company's single most important priority over the next six months. That's why OPEN from American Express and SCORE are pairing up to launch a "Small Business Speed Coaching Test Drive" to help enhance small-biz prosperity. The series will give entrepreneurs the chance to partake in 30-minute, one-on-one evaluations with experienced SCORE business coaches. Interactive workshops will also be held to help participants learn more about strategic business planning, effective marketing and business finances.

This seminar tour will make stops in Orlando, Phoenix, Atlanta and Chicago. The first seminar takes place in Orlando on November 8. More workshop information can be found online. Registration, which is free, is available on a first-come, first-served basis.