I went from making $52,000 a year to co-founding 'Call Her Daddy.' Then I lost everything overnight.

Tech Insider : Business
Sofia Franklyn headshot
Sofia Franklyn says leaving "Call Her Daddy" changed her life

Courtesy of Sophie Sahara

My husband's family has run the same company for 170 years. I married into it at 24, and now my role is 'family president.'

Tech Insider : Business
Jill Gardner headshot

Courtesy of Jill Gardner

I live in Houston and earn $285,000 each year. Here's how I plan to save more than half my income this year.

Tech Insider : Business, Sports
Headshot of Morgan S.
Houston resident, Morgan S., said she's working, budgeting, and investing to retire early with $1.3 million.

Jamie Lim

I moved to Japan alone. Building cabins in the countryside helped me feel at home.

Tech Insider : Business
A man wearing a beige shirt standing in front of a concrete wall.
Mori Nishimura moved to Japan, worked in real estate, and started a business.

Provided by Mori Nishimura

I reinvented myself by losing 300 pounds and moving from the US to Spain. Now I have a happier and healthier lifestyle.

Tech Insider : Business, Sports
A woman with a laptop sitting in a café in Spain.
Erin Vlack has carved out a new life for herself in Spain.

Courtesy of Erin Vlack

I designed cybersecurity content for a bank. I still almost got roped into two scams when job hunting.

Tech Insider : Business, Technology
A man standing in front of artwork
Julius von Brunk is a graphic artist.

Julius von Brunk

I moved from Germany to the US for my career. The high cost of living in California shocked me, but it's worth it to live here.

Tech Insider : Business
headshot of a woman with long blonde hair
Christiane Schroeter.

SLO Town Studios/SLO Town Studios

I'm a San Francisco bar operator. Young tech bros are going sober — but they still want to sip on mocktails

Tech Insider : Business
Rye Cocktail Bar operator Greg Lindgren is pictured.
Greg Lindgren co-owns 15 Romolo, The Cordial, Rye Cocktail Bar, and Rye on the Road.

Greg Lindgren

We sold our house and moved in with family. It helped us pay down $63,000 in credit card debt.

Tech Insider : Business
Mattie Gardner headshot
Mattie Gardner is documenting paying down her debt on social media.

Courtesy of Mattie Gardner

I'm the founder of a soju brand and the chair of the LACMA Art + Film Gala. I work between Seoul and LA and rarely sleep before 3 a.m.

Tech Insider : Business, Travel
headshot of Eva Chow
Eva Chow.

Cho Gi Seok

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Eva Chow, chair of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) Art + Film Gala and founder of the soju brand KHEE. She splits her time between Seoul and Los Angeles. The following has been edited for length and clarity.

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