or years, Bernadette Lacy got up at 5 am for her first job and often returned home at 10 pm. Her doctor told her to stop working so hard, and she finally did when her health went downhill. When she started feeling better, the recession had hit and she could no longer find full-time work. Photo: beautyfashion.com where Bernadette is now a contributor.

Today, our third installment in the special series, “Time for a Change.” This time, the change is in business. Mike Medico is the founder of E&M advertising firm. The company was doing well, and prior to the recession Mike decided to sell. But he watched as the new owners and the economy drove everything he’d built into the ground. So Mike decided it was time for a change - and he bought his company back.

Deborah Dunbar was born and raised in Flint Michigan, just eight blocks from Buick headquarters. She spent 10 years working at two auto parts plants. When she was laid off,  it seemed no one was hiring automotive workers. But a local recruiter introduced her to a booming new industry: medical manufacturing. Deborah is now using the same exact skills she used to make car parts to make artificial knees, elbows, and hips.Also in this episode: from nanotechnology to small business.