Has an MBA, no job experience and can't find work! Advice anyone?

My husband is in his 40s, has a B Comm and MBA which was completed years ago, but no job experience since he's always worked for himself managing his own investments. Now he wants to join the workforce but is finding it difficult to become employed since he doesn't have professional work references. I must also add that we live in a smaller isolated city where any job opportunities available are very highly competitive. He is a very intelligent, hard working individual and we wish that some door would open, that somebody would give him a chance. He doesn't have great connections here since most people he grew up with moved away. Any ideas of what he could do, or a quick course he could take to get some good employment? Do you think his chances would be better in a bigger city? Anyone else been in a similar situation and had some luck?

try temp work - it can at least get him in the door - they can give him tests to help determine what his strong skills are and what types of assignments to send him on

You mentioned he managed his own investments? Maybe a small investment company in the area would hire him based on his actual trading and investing experience - sometimes an investment company is more interested in practical experience than social connections or a recent MBA.