I got laid off at 65 and couldn't afford my Bay Area mortgage. Now, I work for myself while traveling the world.

Tech Insider
a man takes a selfie in Munich, Germany
Tony Woodall in Munich.

Tony Woodall

I quit corporate and turned my side hustle into a 6-figure dream career — here's how

Tech Insider
a man playing the saxophone next to two women in red outfits
Jason Nelson.

Angelo J Photography LLC

I quadrupled my Big Tech salary by changing jobs 8 times. I learned how to negotiate pay and when to walk away.

Tech Insider
a woman takes a selfie in front of a blue wall
Jean Kang is a former senior program manager.

Jean Kang

I was financially dependent on my ex-husband. Post-divorce, I taught myself about money and built a 6-figure business.

Tech Insider
headshot of a woman leaning on a brick wall
Beth Keeton.

Aggie Brooks Photographer

I quit my $240,000 job at Meta. Here's how I got hired and grew my salary — and why I left.

Tech Insider
headshot of a man in front of a white wall with art
Alexandru Voica worked at Meta for four years.

Alexandru Voica

My wife makes $500,000 a year and I'm a stay-at-home dad. It's been difficult to fit in with the mom crowd.

Tech Insider
Andrea Mac with her husband and four children.
The Mac family.

Courtesy of Ken Mac

I was kicked out of high school, so I turned to the Marines for a way forward. Now, I'm a corporate lawyer with degrees from Stanford and Harvard.

Tech Insider
headshot of a man with a red tie and suit
Andrew Hanson practices securities enforcement at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom.

Dupont Photographers

I'm a ghostwriter for big names in business and Hollywood. The interview process is emotional, but I know what makes a great story.

Tech Insider
headshot of a woman on a lilac background
Loren Stephens ghostwrites memoirs for many CEOs and entrepreneurs.

Courtesy of Loren Stephens

I quit my 6-figure tech job when my mental health collapsed. My only responsibility now is to make myself happy.

Tech Insider
a woman stands near a lake with boats in the background
Rachel Stolba plans to move to Mexico in August.

Courtesy of Rachel Stolba

I was a female Secret Service agent. Women can do the job just as well as men.

Tech Insider
headshot of a woman in a white top in front of an orange curtain
Mary Beth Wilkas Janke was one of less than 200 female Secret Service agents in the early 1990s.

Zubin Stillings

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