I left a VP-level role in Big Tech and now I work with startups. It's more unpredictable, but startup life is invigorating.

Tech Insider : Business, Environment, Style
Robert E. Williams sitting in a chair and smiling
Robert E Williams left a career in Big Tech after 15 years to work with startups.

Robert E. Williams

I quit my career at 40 when a diagnosis stopped me in my tracks. Prioritizing my health was scary, but it helped me redefine success.

Tech Insider : Business, Sports
Woman sitting on a wooden railing in a forest, smiling at the camera, wearing a sports top, shorts, and slip-on shoes.
Melissa Hoeppner quit her job last October to reevaluate her priorities and take care of her health.

Courtesy of Melissa Hoeppner

I quit my corporate job and spent 18 months living on a sailboat. My mindset's completely shifted now that I'm back on land.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
The writer and her partner in front of their sailboat.
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Laura Keys

I quit my corporate job at 29 and became a yacht chef. Now I cook for high-profile executives and retired athletes.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business, Economy
emily ruybal chef split with yacht menu
Emily Ruybal is a private chef and content creator working on chartered yachts.

Courtesy of Emily Ruybal

I quit my six-figure Big Tech job to start a business and earned back my income 2 years later. Here's what I wish I'd known sooner.

Tech Insider : Business, Style
Woman standing in a desert wearing a red dress.
Entrepreneur Aliena Cai said she learned from four business mistakes that cost her time, money, and energy.

Photo courtesy of Aliena Cai

I quit my job at Google after 2 years. I prepared well for my exit but wish I'd done 3 things differently.

Tech Insider : Business, Style
selfie of a woman while traveling
Erica Rivera.

Courtesy of Erica Rivera

I left my corporate career to start a cleaning business 5 years ago. I still don't take a salary, but my family is doing much better off.

Tech Insider : Business, Travel
A man wearing glasses, a gray baseball cap, and a red and blue shirt smiles for a selfie. He is standing on a grassy lawn with a driveway and trailer in the background.
Burgess Heberer started his business 5 years ago and 6 weeks later left his job to pursue it full-time.

Courtesy of Burgess Heberer

My 3 years at Tesla were the best and worst of my life

Tech Insider
Amanda Manley sitting in front of a Tesla with her daughter and husband
Amanda Manley says her breaking point at Tesla was when she returned from maternity leave.

Amanda Manley

A Gen Zer quit a corporate job paying $94,000 to become a reseller and content creator: 'It's not somewhere I wanted to be for the next 40 years of my life'

Tech Insider : Economy, Economy
Amber Smith standing next to a wall that's mainly green
Amber Smith turned her side hustles into the way she earns money.

Courtesy of Amber Smith

I left my job to build a company with my boyfriend. The constant fighting led to our breakup.

Tech Insider
illustration of woman and man fighting
The author kept fighting with her business partner-boyfriend.

Nuthawut Somsuk/Getty Images

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