Aakash Patel, 37

In the mid-2000s, with a bachelor’s in political science and English literature from Florida State University in hand, Aakash Patel seemed destined to go to law school and embark on a career in the legal industry. Then, much like today, an economic crisis hit and caused many people, including Patel, to rethink choices large and small. He decided to switch gears and seek a job in public relations or marketing, but then, urged on by his grandfather, father and some entrepreneurial friends he now thinks of as mentors, he was persuaded to start his own company — Elevate Inc., a business consulting firm.