The Colonists in Jamestown made a living by selling tobacco crops. They sold tobacco to anyone who would buy it. The colonists were very poor until they found a way to make money off of tobacco.The colonists in Jamestown also made their way by teaming up and being friends and trading jewels with the Indians in exchange for corn and furs.
They didn't always get along with the Indians so they couldn't depend on that for money.
http://www.historyisfun.org/jamestown-economy.htm
