I have $400,000 in med school debt. I'm doing balloon art to pay it down.

Tech Insider : Business
Balloon artist
Brandon Axelrod is trying to pay off his school debt with balloon art.

Courtesy of Brandon Axelrod

I wanted my daughters to be independent. They carried 'kid licenses' so adults wouldn't be concerned.

Tech Insider : Business
Two little girls walking.
Kristin Howard's daughters first started walking to school by themselves when they were 8 and 6.

Kristin Howard

I couldn't find a work bag I liked. I designed one for $350, and now I'm making $15,000 a month in sales.

Tech Insider : Business, Style, Travel
Family posing for photo
Iluka Cindi Greentree designed a bag after seeing a TikTok.

Courtesy of Iluka Cindi Greentree

I'm the CEO of a mocktail company. I embrace the art of puttering and balance the 'yucky' part of business with creativity.

Tech Insider : Business, Environment
the CEO of Mingle Mocktails poses with her product
Laura Taylor.

Mingle Mocktails

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Laura Taylor, the 54-year-old founder and CEO of Mingle Mocktails, based in Berwyn, Pennsylvania. The following has been edited for length and clarity.

I moved abroad for my husband's job. It made me question who I was without my career.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business, Politics
A woman standing and dressed in black.
Chatrine Siswoyo moved to Hong Kong for her husband's job opportunity.

Provided by Chatrine Siswoyo

I started powerlifting at 74 after two hip replacements. I feel stronger than ever.

Tech Insider : Business, Sports, Travel
An older woman stretching her muscles.
Barbara Phillips stretches her muscles.

Courtesy of Barbara Phillips

I left Google to pursue an MBA. I think higher education is still worth the investment in the age of AI.

Tech Insider : Business, Economy, Style
Tennessee Watt at Wharton
Tennessee Watt says her MBA program is helping her to build a portfolio business.

Tennessee Watt

I'm a mom of 3 and an interior designer. It's OK not to give your kids the decor they're asking for.

Tech Insider : Business, Sports
Lauren Behfarin with kids
Lauren Behfarin has three kids and designs kids' rooms for a living.

Courtesy of Lauren Behfarin

I went from Goldman Sachs to running a dance studio. My Wall Street years help me center clients and manage finances.

Tech Insider : Business
Caila Moed

Laila AnnMarie Stevens for BI

I made $50,000 as a deaf Uber driver last year. I earn more than I did working in restaurants.

Tech Insider : Economy, Business, Technology
Uber driver William Parr stands in front of his minivan in a parking lot wearing a grey baseball cap, sunglasses, black pants and a shirt, and a reflective vest.
William Parr started driving for Uber last April.

William Parr

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