I'm a former Tesla engineer who runs my own company. Here's what I learned at Tesla that made me a better founder — and what it didn't prepare me for.

Tech Insider : Business, Environment, Technology
a man in a blue shirt stands in front of cans
Angus Rittenburg.

Courtesy of Angus Rittenburg

I felt pure happiness when I was laid off from Microsoft after 14 years. It was the green light I needed to start my own business.

Tech Insider : Business
headshot of a woman in a black shirt and blue blazer
Tatiana Teppoeva.

Courtesy of Tatiana Teppoeva

I quit my tech job to grind tree stumps. I'm outdoors, working with my hands, on my own schedule, and making a good living.

Tech Insider : Business, Technology
headshot of a man in a white t-shirt in a field
Tyler Mumford.

Courtesy of Tyler Mumford

I'm a recruiting manager in tech. Here's what I'd do right now if I were worried about being laid off.

Tech Insider : Business
a woman poses in front of a blue house in a denim jacket
Bonnie Dilber.

Courtesy of Bonnie Dilber

I'm an 82-year-old real-estate broker and forklift driver. I have no plans to retire — they'll have to drag me out.

Tech Insider : Economy, Business, Travel
Bill Miller
Bill Miller still works as a real estate broker and forklift driver.

Katie Linsky Shaw for BI

I quit a stable job at Microsoft at age 45 to try something new. I'm happy I took the risk and left on good terms.

Tech Insider : Business
headshot of a man with a white background
Joseph Landes.

Courtesy of Joseph Landes

I work for Melinda French Gates at Pivotal Ventures. Here's a day in my life and the greatest lessons she's taught me.

Tech Insider : Business, Environment, Technology
headshot of Erin Harkless Moore
Erin Harkless Moore.

©2025 Pivotal Ventures

I'm a dad who works in-office 3 days a week. If it became 5 days, I'd ask for a raise — time away from my family doesn't come for free.

Tech Insider : Business
headshot of a man in a striped yellow shirt
Andrew Clark.

Courtesy of Andrew Clark

I work from 5 a.m. to 2 p.m. for a remote European company. I have time to relax and to grow my 6-figure side business.

Tech Insider : Business, Travel
three women pose for a photo at a conference
Ashley Couto, middle, with her coworkers in Berlin.

Courtesy of Ashley Couto

I rejected and approved hundreds of raises at Nordstrom, Verizon, and Yahoo. Here's my advice for getting a raise in the current market.

Tech Insider : Business
headshot of a woman in yellow with a black background
Andrea Wasserman.

Courtesy of Andrea Wasserman

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