Entrepreneur Randy Boudouris, 52, chose a midlife epiphany over a midlife crisis. Ten years ago, after a falling-out with his employer and a job as a print salesman, he began focusing on making money by himself.

He started MagnetNotes Ltd.

His premier product, MagneCotes, is a paper-thin magnet sheet that is fed through inkjet printers to create materials including personalized magnetized photos and company advertisements.

Its all part of a $500 million worldwide magnet advertising industry. His company, he said, has a 5 percent share, which would be equal to $25 million.

He began with a simple idea and the help of a neighbor, Ray Richards, a retired scientist with Owens-Illinois Inc., a Perrysburg glass bottle making firm.

“I started out in [Ray's] garage on a hot plate mixing formulas on what did and didn’t work,” he said.

His company has developed a yogurt lid for Dannon Company Inc. in Mexico and coupons for the Kroger Co., and has done promotional work with PepsiCo Inc.

“Anything that people can use around the house … anything that’s going to benefit someone will stay around,” he said.