Philip

Philip "Bill" W. Smith, Jr., 60

Old career: Hospital executive
New venture: Executive coach for health-care industry

After a long career in hospital administration, Smith's "Aha moment" came after he met with the co-authors of Sherpa Guide: Process-Driven Executive Coaching, who teach at nearby Xavier University in Cincinnati. "I never thought about executive training until the opportunity presented itself," Smith says. Training included 80 hours in the classroom along with a 12-week practicum. Total certification cost? Less than $10,000. Now Smith is offering executive coaching services to the health-care industry, and the niche separates him from his peers. "My wife looks forward to retirement, but I say 'Hell no, I'm not retiring,'" Smith says.