As a beginner, how long were you in the red, how'd you turn it around?

[12AX7]

Hi everyone,
Just a nube here. Really perhaps a returning fish. Played live stud years ago. Now trying online HE.

Of you folks that have successfully managed to either earn a living at it, or just plain be profitable at it, how long were you in the red before you turned it around? What made the difference?

Or have some of you managed to be on the black side of the balance sheet from day 1? (And how?)