i went to my local small business development center. they have weekly seminars for new small business owners. I learned a lot during the seminars. There is a list of new business licenses that is released each week - it's part of public record. You can locate that and contact them each week.
Also, google your city's chamber of commerce. There are hundreds of businesses in there. You can view their websites, and see which are good, and which are bad. Email or call them - or stop in with a card - and just let them know you're available.
Working for a company will help too - learn the ropes of sales, marketing, maintenance, then start your own thing. In my early days, I was hired by 2 local firms - I worked a week and learned everything then quit. Also I took a 3-month assignment as a dotnetnuke project manager - and i hate programming - just to pile on experience and learn from everyone on the team. I had 8 guys form pakistan, all with degrees, and I learned everything I could from them.
Most importantly diversify. I write articles, build sites, build networks, do grpahics, play music, and a few other jobs to make a living. When you work for yourself, it's stressful. When the news talks about a recession, nobody buys. When they don't everyone buys. It's highs and lows, ebbs and flows. Very stressful, but it's nice being able to work in my PJs and read getbig and work whatever hours I wish.