I grew my tech income to over $250,000, even though I never broke into Big Tech. This salary negotiation tip has never gone badly for me.

Tech Insider : Business, Environment
Brian Jenney wearing a white shirt, standing on a golf course
Jenney said he's learned how to play the salary negotiation game.

Courtesy of Brian Jenney

I'm a solo business owner who couldn't afford employees. A $20-a-month AI subscription became my team.

Tech Insider : Business, Style
Christina Puder
Christina Puder discovered the power of AI through a free account with Lovable, an AI coding assistant.

Christopher Gregory-Rivera for BI

I lost my job at 58 when DOGE dismantled USAID. A year on, I've landed on my feet but still feel survivor's guilt.

Tech Insider : Politics, Business
Jay Gulledge in Pakistan
Jay Gulledge, 59, worked for USAID until March 2025.

Courtesy of Jay Gulledge

I quit my $192K Microsoft job and moved to Canada — then almost everything I owned was stolen. I'm learning to rebuild from scratch.

Tech Insider : Technology, Business
David Chong
David Chong

David Chong

I'm the CEO of a cannabis and beverage company. I start my day in Central Park with my dog and hate being surrounded by 'yes' people.

Tech Insider : Business, Sports
Irwin D. Simon

Isa Zapata for BI

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Irwin Simon, the chairman and CEO of Tilray, based in New York City. It's been edited for length and clarity.

I worked closely with Rev. Jesse Jackson after he took a chance on me at age 19. Here's what he taught me about leadership.

Tech Insider : Business, Politics
Rev. Jesse Jackson, Bradley Akubuiro and his wife, Allison England, and Pete Buttigieg at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.
Rev. Jesse Jackson, Bradley Akubuiro and his wife, Allison England, and Pete Buttigieg at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.

Courtesy of Bradley Akubuiro.

I'm raising my 4-year-old granddaughter on my own in my 60s. I expect to work until I die.

Tech Insider : Economy, Business
A grandmother with her young child
Dorenne Simonson is her granddaughter's caregiver.

SbytovaMN/Getty Images

I got laid off and used my severance money to launch a startup. Here's why it felt like less of a gamble than pursuing an MBA.

Tech Insider : Business, Sports, Technology
Sam Perry headshot
Sam Perry, 40, was laid off in 2022.

Courtesy of Sam Perry

I thought I'd be lonely moving to a new city at 58. I swallowed my fear and made a friend I now consider a brother.

Tech Insider : Business
Scott Scovel and his friend Bruno are sitting down at a table for lunch. On the table there's some sushi on plates and drink glasses.
Scovel reconnected with his acquaintance, Bruno, and the two became good friends.

Courtesy of Scott Scovel

I got laid off from Amazon after 11 years. My high school daughter taught me the biggest lesson on how to move forward.

Tech Insider : Business, Environment
Hemant Virmani headshot
Hemant Virmani says his Amazon layoff motivated him to prioritize his health.

Courtesy of John Ludeman

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