I ditched software engineering to become an influencer. Here's how I scaled up to 6 figures — and why my computer-science degree is now my backup plan.

Tech Insider
headshot of Vanessa Chen
Vanessa Chen.

Courtesy of Vanessa Chen

I traveled to 79 countries as a digital nomad. I'm not tied to one place and I find work on platforms like Upwork and Fiverr.

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Katie Macleod is taking a selfie with hot air balloons in the background.
Katie Macleod wants to visit at least 100 countries before turning 30.

Katie Macleod

I make about $6,500 donating plasma over 100 times a year, but I don't do it for the money

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A person at a blood donation center, donating plasma.
You can donate plasma more often than blood.

Pavel Peskov / EyeEm / Getty Images

I'm a paypig who spent $1,800 of my student loan on my 'findom' fetish, but I don't regret it

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The 23-year-old student once spent about $1,000 on findom in a single day.
The 23-year-old student admits 'findom' can be 'quite addictive.'

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A publicist shares the email template she uses to land top podcast spots for her clients and 5 pitch must-haves

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headshot of Alice Draper outside in a yellow top
Alice Draper.

Alice Draper

I'm a stay-at-home mom who made $23,000 in 3 months on Etsy. Here's how I built a business around my busy schedule.

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Kelly Byrnes, an Etsy seller, who is blonde wearing a pink shirt.
Kelly Byrnes started her Etsy shop after her youngest children started school full-time.

Kelly Byrnes

I bought a crumbling Victorian townhouse for $18,000 and transformed it into my dream home — see inside

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Betsy Sweeny in front of McClain House, her 3025-square-foot Victorian house in Wheeling, Virginia
Betsy Sweeny was 27 when she bought the 120-year-old McClain House in West Virginia.

Betsy Sweeny

I'm the assistant to the CEO of 23andMe. I do yoga during meetings and answer 400 messages a day — here's what it's like.

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Kristin Quint, left, with her boss, Anne Wojcicki, a cofounder and the CEO of 23andMe.
Kristin Quint, left, with her boss, Anne Wojcicki, a cofounder and the CEO of 23andMe.

Courtesy of Kristin Quint

Clients like Taylor Swift and 'Euphoria' love my realistic airbrush tattoos. Here's how I built my business.

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Grace Joy, special effects artist, entertainment
Grace Lovejoy says fake tattoos in film and TV started to look worse and worse as Hollywood's cameras got better. She set out to do something about it.

Courtesy of Grace Lovejoy

I'm a CEO who stopped checking my phone when I wake up. Now I'm less stressed and more energized.

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headshot of Will Ward
Will Ward.

Courtesy of Will Ward

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