I've struggled for years to find full-time work after multiple layoffs. It's taken a toll on my mental health.

Tech Insider : Business
Dominique Alexander
Dominique Alexander has spent years searching for stable work after working at Microsoft and Coca-Cola.

Dominique Alexander

I get Botox as often as I can afford it. My aging face started to distract me on work calls — the cost is worth every penny.

Tech Insider : Business
a before and after image of a woman getting Botox
Melissa Petro before and after Botox injections.

Courtesy of Melissa Petro

I'm a Meta data scientist. My Ph.D sets me apart in Big Tech — but I wouldn't recommend my path to everyone.

Tech Insider : Business
Anand Ramanathan is standing in front of the ocean, wearing a blue jacket with the NASA logo on it.
Ramanathan said his Ph.D taught him to value skepticism and verification.

Courtesy of Anand Ramanathan

2 solo business owners share the AI workflows they use to write better emails and save hours of manual work

Tech Insider : Business
Jennifer O'Brien and Liane Agbi
Solo business owners Jennifer O'Brien and Liane Agbi shared the ways they implement generative AI for time savings.

Gabby Jones for BI

I'm 29 and increased my income from $35K to $155K after 8 years and an MBA

Tech Insider : Business, Economy, Style
Photo of Carmen P with Salary Journeys frame treatment

Courtesy of Carmen P; Tyler Le/BI

Carmen P is a 29-year-old living in New York City. Business Insider has verified her income and employment history with documentation. The following as-told-to essay has been edited for length and clarity.

I'm a VP of product strategy and development at a multi-national bank and make $155,000 a year.

An Amazon worker balanced her day job and side hustle without burning out. She got laid off and had a backup plan.

Tech Insider : Business, Sports
Tejal Rives is standing in front of a bookcase, leaning on a ladder.
Rives bought a business with her husband in 2024.

Courtesy of Tejal Rives

I was laid off from my banking job at 55 and left corporate America to build my own AI consultancy. Here's what I learned in the process.

Tech Insider : Business, Technology
Kristina Martinelli headshot.

Photo courtesy of Kristina Martinelli

I retired early from Google after 18 years. My grandfather's advice helped me invest enough to leave my job at 55.

Tech Insider : Business, Sports
Matt Lowrie is sitting at an outdoor table with a drink glass in front of him
Matt Lowrie quit Google in November 2025.

Courtesy of Matt Lowrie

I spent $46,000 joining a Florida country club, but didn't fit in. It's my biggest financial regret.

Tech Insider : Economy, Business, Style
Layton Cox and his wife
Layton Cox and his wife joined a country club in Florida.

Courtesy of Layton Cox

My aging family kept falling for scams. For $20, I built a no-code app to protect them.

Tech Insider : Economy, Business, Crypto
Matt Sanner and his parents
Matt Sanner, 54, vibe coded ScamSkeptic, an app to help his aging family members who have fallen for scams.

Zack Wittman for BI

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