We're cofounders who left Amazon to build our own startup. We learned the hard way why Big Tech habits don't always translate.

Tech Insider : Business
Two people stand beside a large screen displaying the Agefully app, which promotes an AI-powered day companion for older adults and their families.
Andy Ratsirason and Shalini Aggarwal left Amazon at seperate times but reunited to run their AI startup, Tenafli.

Courtesy of Andy Ratsirason and Shalini Aggarwal

I won $28 million in the Powerball when I was 21. One choice saved me from becoming a broke lottery winner.

Tech Insider : Business
Headshot of Tim Schultz, white man in glasses with blonde hair
Tim Schultz won a $28 million Powerball jackpot in February 1999.

Tim Shultz

No network? No problem. How I built an AI startup at 18 with teens around the world.

Tech Insider : Business
Smiling young man with glasses and a backpack standing outdoors with trees and buildings behind him.
Alex Yang founded a startup with other high schoolers he met online.

Courtesy of Alex Yang

I was juggling a tech leadership role and caring for my autistic brothers until burnout stopped me in my tracks. Here's what I changed to recover.

Tech Insider : Business
Kirsten Hurley

Courtesy of Kirsten Hurley; Rebecca Zisser/BI

I founded Bala after a burnout recovery trip — but burned out again. Here's how I cope now.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
Natalie Holloway

Courtesy of Natalie Holloway; Rebecca Zisser/BI

I was an ambitious Amazon exec who solved my burnout without skipping a beat at work. Here's how.

Tech Insider : Business, Style, Technology
Kristi Coulter

Courtesy of Kris Coulter; Rebecca Zisser/BI

It was Friday afternoon, and I'd just hit send on my weekly report to Amazon's Retail vice presidents, detailing what the Global Merchandising team I'd created had accomplished that week.

I'm a CEO who takes a 3-day silent retreat every year. I book an Airbnb, cover the clocks, and let my mind wander — it's changed my life.

Tech Insider : Business
A man holds a rusty metal A-frame beside a frozen, snow-covered pond on a sunny winter day.
Noah Greenberg takes an annual 3-day silent retreat.

Kellock Irvin

I landed a job at LinkedIn by posting on the platform. Here's how I built an audience and grabbed the attention of a recruiter.

Tech Insider : Business
Man in a suit standing outdoors, smiling at the camera.
21-year-old Dhyey Mavani gained career opportunities and expanded his network by sharing his work online.

Courtesy of Dhyey Mavani

I lost my full-time job and had to drain my savings and take 2 service jobs to make ends meet. It taught me to lean on people.

Tech Insider : Business, Economy
Smiling woman in a camel coat standing in sunlight against a geometric black-and-white wall.
Keijhon Francis spent over a year unemployed before finding a new role.

Courtesy of Keijhon Francis

I chose a 9-hour Amtrak over a 2-hour flight home. It's not perfect, but I'll always choose the train over flying if I can.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Inside of Amtrak train car
Inside of coach car on the Pennsylvanian Amtrak train.

Agnes Applegate/BI

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