How did you guys get started? Who are you signed with? How did you get your agent? Do you like them? I feel like reading everyones personal stories on how they jump started thier careers is really helpful.

Good idea for a post.
If I was signed, I would share my story! lol!

My first agent worked at one of those extras casting places and found me there... he was worthless.

My second agent took me when I went in to read with a friend that had submitted to her. It didn't work out.

I submitted to my third agent and he signed me. He went out of business.

My fourth agent was Silvia Furgoson ('nuf said).

And my most recent agent was directing a short I was working on and signed me... he was worthless.

I'm looking for number six now.

Any names/agencies so we can avoid people?

There are enough posts on the details of these agencies, so I'll just name them.

Dedicated
Michael Zanuck
Steinberg
Sylvia Ferguson
Advance LA
Action Talent Agency
Gerler Agency (namely Doug Bennett)

Hi, I got my first agent by walking in his office - he couldn't find the reel I'd sent him, so I gave him another headshot, went home and brought in another reel. He didn't watch the reel then, but we shook and begun working together. But while not worthless it was me who hounded up most of the work. I paid him at the end of hardly lucrative theater runs. I'll never forget when he told me I landed a national commercial and that I'd be SAG. But pretty dusty office (L.A) not like the agencies mentioned in last post.

I will reiterate, Zanuck is a bottom-feeder of the worst type, a PICTURE SELLER and a charlatan. He'll have you get reprints of 6 shots and takes a cut from the reprinter. Plays it off as though he has no interest in who you go to, but a friend who didn't follow his suggestion and brought in 6 looks never got sent out ONCE.

I just signed with a commercial agency earlier this month. He actually contacted me through LA Casting. Haven't been with him long enough to know how things will go.