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Cheryl Ferrara, 45

Cheryl Ferrara, 45

Boca Raton, Fla.
Laid off from: Travelpro, July 20, 2007
New venture: Religious Brand

Cheryl Ferrara was laid off three times in two years, most recently as international sales manager for luggage maker Travelpro in Boca Raton, Fla. Disillusioned with corporate work, she approached small business counselors at SCORE for help starting her own business. Early in 2008 she launched a Web site to sell hand-made rosaries and religious jewelry, which she had made as a hobby for family and friends for over 10 years. "It's enough to sustain me because of the fact that I was working from home and had very little overhead," she says.