I went from fine dining to owning a fast-casual chain. Here are 4 misconceptions about the restaurant business.

Tech Insider : Business
Hady Kfoury
Hady Kfoury

NAYA

I'm a Princeton-educated engineer, but I left the corporate world to pursue a better work-life balance. Doing so helped me become a millionaire by 30.

Tech Insider : Business, Travel
Luisa Zhou headshot
Luisa Zhou's parents taught her the importance of working hard.

Courtesy of Luisa Zhou

I'm a US Marine vet who trained with Ukrainians 20 years ago. Here's the secret to their combat success.

Tech Insider : Business
Troy Smothers poses with a Ukrainian holding a fiber optic drone.
Troy Smothers was a sergeant when he separated from the US Marine Corps. Before that, he served in Ukraine for a short time, later returning after the war began to assist its troops with fiber optic drones.

Troy Smothers

I quit finance at 54 to go full-time with my matchmaking side hustle. I love having a career where being older is an asset.

Tech Insider : Business
Cassindy Chao headshot
Cassindy Chao now works as a full-time matchmaker.

Courtesy of Cassindy Chao

I'm a trauma surgeon turned longevity CEO. I get up at 5 a.m., avoid snacks, and keep my phone out of my bedroom.

Tech Insider : Business
Dr. Shah
Dr. Darshan Shah said doing the small things consistently had the biggest impact on his personal health journey.

Madeline Tolle for BI

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Dr. Darshan Shah, the 53-year-old founder and CEO of longevity clinic Next Health, who's based in Malibu, California. It's been edited for length and clarity.

I quit my $390K tech job to start my own business. I still question my decision, but this is the first time in years I've woken up excited for life.

Tech Insider : Business, Travel
Shiyao Tang sitting on edge of couch
Shiyao Tang says she spent 5 months planning her exit from her $390K job.

Shiyao Tang

I had 90 days to find a job after getting laid off while on a work visa. A $50 book helped me land my dream role.

Tech Insider : Business, Economy
Aman Goyal
Aman Goyal

Aman Goyal

I quit my job at Microsoft to be a more present mother. I'm not worried about finding a new job — I have a plan.

Tech Insider : Business, Travel
Kruthika Jayatheertha
Kruthika Jayatheertha

Kruthika Jayatheertha

I'm delivering for Uber Eats after decades in corporate marketing. It's helped me make money — and stay humble.

Tech Insider : Economy, Business, Travel
Jay Mandel wears a dark blue shirt while gazing through a window on the right side of the photo
Jay Mandel worked in marketing for decades before turning to gig work last October.

Jay Mandel

I trained a GPT to think like Steve Jobs and help me run my company. AI is scary, but it's also my biggest tool.

Tech Insider : Business, Economy, Technology
A woman in a red dress gestures while speaking at a conference, standing in front of a sponsor banner displaying the Google logo.
Yesim Saydan built a custom GPT inspired by Steve Jobs to act as a mentor.

Courtesy of Yesim Saydan

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