Marion Somers, 69

Old career: Owned a private geriatric-care management practice
New venture: Eldercare guru

While Somers, who is known as Dr. Marion, worked in the geriatric-care field for more than three decades, she was frustrated that she couldn't provide support to more people in need. She sold her Brooklyn brownstone and traveled around the country on a bus in 2007 to talk to Americans about their care-giving experiences. Somers moved to Los Angeles to start Doctor Marion Inc., an elder-care clearinghouse with videos, blogs, and other resources. "It's a drive I can't explain to anyone—it's what I needed to do," Somers says.

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