there's lots of things out there on the board that you can make gil on without gathering, I do it all the time (although I gather some things to sell).

that being said to get rich from it takes time when starting out.. you'll have to raise all doh to get really rich and meld at least one to start making the good hq stuff.

you wont start making a lot of gil straight away but in time you can if you stick with it.