I can still clearly recall the months following my decision to execute on our first business, a p2p lending exchange - it was the summer of 2004 and people were jumping up and down in their seats to tell us how foolish and naive we were for trying to build a p2p banking model:

• "Why the hell would I lend to someone I don't know?"
• "Financial markets are efficient, you're wasting your time."
• "What kind of person would give a loan to someone, let alone manage their own loan portfolio? That's what wealth managers are for kids. It's clear you have a lot of rethinking and learning to do."
• "Have you considered getting some work experience? A couple years in banking could help clear up your misconceptions." A couple years in banking and we'd know better then to be entrepreneurs in the first place!

Doors were slammed (and re-slammed) in our faces left and right. My financial support was ripped from under my feet, so I wore torn jeans with too many holes and refused to wash my car until we were financed. The holes got bigger, the car got dirtier and the naysayer's grew stronger.

If your vision is beyond the market, just remember this the next time the world is beating you down: IBM told Bill Gates there would never be a market for personal computers.

In March 2005, a p2p finance exchange (Zopa) was launched in the UK. In February 2006, a p2p exchange was launched in the US. And, soon, a p2p exchange will be launched in other countries around the world.

Welcome your naysayer for it's a reason to leap forward with pride. Never reveal all your cards to people outside of your network, and hold your most valuable keys close to you chest. You may very well be standing on a gold mine.