When Ari Tenzer told colleagues, clients and friends he was leaving one of the premiere — and highest paying — law firms in South Florida to hang his own shingle at the tail end of a recession, the reaction ranged from surprise to disbelief.

“Most people were very surprised,” said Tenzer, 34. “The market wasn’t great. There really wasn’t a clear path to what I was doing. In their defense, I didn’t really know where I was headed. Everyone said I was brave and admirable, but behind closed doors I’m sure they thought I was crazy.”