My husband and I lost everything in 2008. We created a debt settlement company and now we are worth $50 million.

Amber Duncan had to declare bankruptcy in 2008.

Courtesy of Amber Duncan

• Amber Duncan declared bankruptcy after the 2008 financial crisis.
• Afterward, she and her husband founded a debt settlement company.
• They were millionaires within a year and paid cash for a house.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Amber Duncan, founder of Life After Debt. It has been edited for length and clarity.

Before I declared bankruptcy, I thought I was doing everything right.