I started using Ray Dream Studio and then switched over to Metacreations Carrara Version 1, about two years ago and have never looked back since. BIOI worked on a Pentium 2, 333mhz system with 64MB RAM, and showed a few people what could be achieved with an entry level 3D package.
I have since started a successful business doing industrial design that is now enabling me to fund my interactive multimedia design business. I am currently working on an educational multimedia program (Freddy Frog and friends) that I hope will make children enjoy the Computer learning experience. All the images that where sent in, where created in Carrara, and then some of them were touched up in Photoshop 5.
The backgrounds of the "world" designs were done with the help of a Kai's Power Tools plug in.

I strongly believe that anyone with a little creativity and ambition can achieve his or her highest goals, with the basic tools. You don't need much money to start a business in this industry!