Meet the 'Godmother of Silicon Valley,' a high school teacher who quietly shaped the tech industry

Tech Insider : Business, Technology
Esther Wojciki
Esther Wojcicki, known as the "godmother of Silicon Valley."

Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for WIRED

I graduated from Stanford and couldn't find a job, so I created my own. I turned it into a six-figure business.

Tech Insider : Business, Economy
Ellen Yang in front of a book stand
The author started her own business after struggling to find a full-time job.

Courtesy of Dani Hamlett

I ran a successful brick-and-mortar business for decades. I shut it down in my 50s to reinvent myself and my career.

Tech Insider : Business
Susan Teresa posing
The author ran a photography studio.

Courtesy of Susan Teresa

Kimora Lee shares how she spent years investing, bought back Baby Phat, and caught a Y2K wave

Tech Insider : Business
Kimora Lee
Kimora Lee bought back Baby Phat in 2019.

Jamie McCarthy/WireImage via Getty Images

I founded Culture Pop in my 50s, but my youngest hires keep it relevant and fresh

Tech Insider : Business, Environment
Culture Pop CEO Tom First
Tom First, 59, is the founder and CEO of Culture Pop.

Billie Weiss/Culture Pop Soda

I dragged my son to all my work meetings as a single mom who couldn't afford childcare. I worried I ruined his childhood.

Tech Insider : Business, Travel
a woman at her desk while also playing with her son
The author (not pictured) brought her son to all work meetings.

Stephen Lux/Getty Images

I spent my life savings on a NYC deli that was infested with rodents. Now, I bring in up to $4,000 a day thanks to 1 viral sandwich.

Tech Insider : Business
Joshua Dat outside of Datz Deli

Business Insider

I expanded my 350,000-member fitness brand to cover an overlooked life stage

Tech Insider : Business, Style
Megan Roup posing next to a fan
The Sculpt Society was founded in 2017.

Courtesy of Megan Roup

Going viral saved my bakery, but it's never been about the money for me

Tech Insider : Business, Style
Jatee Kearsley sitting at a bench
Jatee Kearsley is the owner and pastry chef of Je T'aime Patisserie.

Courtesy of Jatee Kearsley

A 60-year-old entrepreneur who sells Pokémon cards and other collectibles saw sales surge 200% after he leaned into live selling

Tech Insider : Business, Economy, Sports
pokemon

John Keeble/Getty Images

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