Beg and plead? Is it really that hard to get submits? I considered paying for submits in an effort to get freesites submitted and kick start me.
When you 1st get started, yes, it'll be really hard to get submits. Most of us already have a group of sites that we submit to on a regular basis, so you'll have to convince people it's worth it to submit to you as well. Paying for submits? That's a new one on me, but in theory it might work - meaning that you'll get sites for your pages & if you're sending a decent amount of traffic, they'll probably continue to submit after you stop paying for them.
A year is ok 
I have a lot of capital behind me, and while I would prefer not to have to sink funds into this, I would if needed.
Buying traffic & paying the person to run the site will probably be the only major expenses.
Is there any other stuff i would need to do to fill the categories ?
That will all depend on how many sites you have listed in each category once you get all of those other sites listed. It never fails - you think you have or can get enough sites to fill each category, but there's always 1 or 2 that will only have 5 links on the pages - LOL So that's just one of those thing that you'd look at the week before you open. That's when you come to the boards, post that you're looking for whatever niche's you need to fill & go from there.
Also have I gotten the wrong idea about something, and have I assumed something which is wrong? I welcome criticism on my plan, and never get defensive when it comes to making $, so please be honest.
I have no need to sugar coat anything - LOL - so you're getting my honest opinion on things. But, I will say that I am only looking at a plan laid out in text & not the site itself, which is where I'd get harsh on you, if need be
