Back when I started slashing I didn't have much luck playing with no fg and no gear, but when I started skilling and working my way up the fishing ladder there were a few people who encouraged/inspired me in various ways:
1) Przy - very encouraging via PM and IRC (anyone remember d2jsp IRC? haha) and eventually I joined Solitude as my first guild.
2) NevV - sent me a nice PM back when I started selling fish and his welling mage guide inspired me and many others to play a decent mage on a budget.
3) Schmoogalaboo - great all around guy and answered a lot of questions I had about the game too.
Oh and I can't forget my first fish customer, Moojilsuh!
