I started by playing freerolls on Full Tilt, whenever I had enough to play a reg $1 STT I would and went from there.
pokerstars did the same, except after withdrawing some from Full Tilt I min deposited $10 for some bonus or freerolls, etc. But of course since black friday can no longer play at PS.
My current BR on a merge site is from freerolls also. But they were preBF and I believe PLO. Saw a post here or on another forum about being able to sit out into the money, and tried it out.
I have never understood why people would insist on playing freerolls only until a certain amount of money. Once you have a buyin for a game play it, no point waiting.