I'm a startup founder who allows a dog in the office. It's become our best productivity hack.

Tech Insider : Business, Environment
Ollie and Sophia Kianni
Sophia Kianni says having a dog in the office helps balance out the "grind culture" of her early-stage startup.

Sophia Kianni

My 15-year-old is training for the 2034 Olympics. We are considering looking for financial sponsors for him.

Tech Insider : Sports, Business, Travel
Family at base of mountain after training
Sarah Canzano's oldest son is training to be an Olympian in 2034.

Courtesy of Sarah Canzano

My Airbnb made me $2,300 a month and was almost always booked. Nightmare guests made me quit hosting.

Tech Insider : Business
A selfie of a woman on the left, and the front of a home on the right.
Wendy Martin is bowing out of the Airbnb game.

Courtesy of Wendy Martin

I grew my tech income to over $250,000, even though I never broke into Big Tech. This salary negotiation tip has never gone badly for me.

Tech Insider : Business, Environment
Brian Jenney wearing a white shirt, standing on a golf course
Jenney said he's learned how to play the salary negotiation game.

Courtesy of Brian Jenney

I'm a solo business owner who couldn't afford employees. A $20-a-month AI subscription became my team.

Tech Insider : Business, Style
Christina Puder
Christina Puder discovered the power of AI through a free account with Lovable, an AI coding assistant.

Christopher Gregory-Rivera for BI

I turned my needlepoint side hustle into a $10M business in five years. I never thought it'd take off as it did.

Tech Insider : Business
Krista LeRay headshot
Krista LeRay started her company during the pandemic.

Courtesy of Penny Linn Marketing

I lost my job at 58 when DOGE dismantled USAID. A year on, I've landed on my feet but still feel survivor's guilt.

Tech Insider : Politics, Business
Jay Gulledge in Pakistan
Jay Gulledge, 59, worked for USAID until March 2025.

Courtesy of Jay Gulledge

I quit my $192K Microsoft job and moved to Canada — then almost everything I owned was stolen. I'm learning to rebuild from scratch.

Tech Insider : Technology, Business
David Chong
David Chong

David Chong

I'm a busy dad who didn't have time to exercise. I managed to 'get jacked' with just 20 minutes of bodyweight exercise a day.

Tech Insider : Business
Skye Mackintosh before and after
Skye Mackintosh is committed to working out for 20 minutes every day.

Courtesy of Skye Mackintosh

I'm the CEO of a cannabis and beverage company. I start my day in Central Park with my dog and hate being surrounded by 'yes' people.

Tech Insider : Business, Sports
Irwin D. Simon

Isa Zapata for BI

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Irwin Simon, the chairman and CEO of Tilray, based in New York City. It's been edited for length and clarity.

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