Cool Runnings Exploring new places may just lead you to the business opportunity you've been searching for. Here's a look at how one couple did it.

Normally the mention of Antarctica brings images of snow (lotsof it), icebergs (big ones), and penguins (cute ones), and sendschills down your spine when you think about the subzerotemperatures there. For some this may not seem like the ideallocale for a relaxing vacation or a desirable place to live andwork, but surprisingly enough, this icy continent is increasing inpopularity. Just ask Tom and Gloria Hutchings, founders of Jackson,New Hampshire-based The AntarcticConnection.

After working in Antarctica for four years, the couple realizedthere was an untapped opportunity to create an e-commerce sitedevoted to products related to Antarctica. Tom, 38, and Gloria, 36,launched the site in 1998, and so far, it's still the onlye-commerce site on the Web devoted solely to Antarctica, offeringeverything from books, maps and videos to clothing, posters andgift items.

In its first year, the site had about 50 visitors each day.Today it welcomes 20 times that figure. During this past Christmasseason, the couple saw a huge increase in sales-and tripled theirprojected sales. Here's a look at how Tom and Gloria took acool concept and turned it into a hot Net business.