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Of course, some start-up record stores like CD Baby, Portland, Oregon, have forgone a brick n' mortar location altogether in favor of a virtual store on the Internet.

Founder Derek Sivers explains:

I was just selling my own CD in 1997, making my living by touring and doing sessions, and asked some fellow musicians if they'd like me to sell their CD, too. It was supposed to be a hobby. (Making music was my real career!)

For the first year, CD Baby was just me. I'd put the day's orders in my backpack and ride my bike down to the post office.

But then friends told friends, and now my little hobby has sold over $25 MILLION in independent CDs to people around the world.

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