We took out a $300,000 loan at 23 to build a wellness cabin. We had no idea what we were getting into.

Tech Insider : Business, Style
A cabin on the left, and two men posing for a photo in the woods on the right.
Rajan Chidambaram and Renzo Sanio built a short-term rental cabin in rural Virginia.

Courtesy of Rajan Chidambaram

I developed stabbing stomach pain as a college football player. It turned out to be stage 4 colon cancer.

Tech Insider : Business
khalil at work
Khalil Smith was a freshman in college when he was diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer.

Courtesy of Khalil Smith

I'm the CEO and founder of Madison Reed. I check my phone as soon as I wake up, and keep my inbox at zero.

Tech Insider : Business, Sports, Travel
Amy Errett
Amy Errett, the CEO of Madison Reed, has a nearly 12-hour workday.

SolComms

I quit my job in London to move to Barcelona and start a business. I fly back for meetings twice a month — but it's worth it.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
Ethan Spibey with his dog in Barcelona
Ethan Spibey now lives in Barcelona with his husband and dog.

Courtesy of Ethan Spibey

I bought two bowls at Goodwill for $.99 each. I later sold them for almost $1,400.

Tech Insider : Business
Woman with goodwill bowl
Wendy Sheridan found two bowls for $0.99 at Goodwill

Courtesy of Wendy Sheridan

I left Big Tech to start an herbal alcohol alternative. My sober-friendly brand is gaining traction with stressed executives.

Tech Insider : Business, Technology
Altar Native founder Yasmin Santos stands behind her
Altar Native founder Yasmin Santos stands behind her "beyond booze" bar, mixing a non-alcoholic drink.

Courtesy of Yasmin Santos

I'm stuck in Puerto Rico for an extra week. It's putting me $3,000 over budget, and I'm worried I'll lose my job.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
Kaci Jane Hansen headshot
Kaci Jane Hansen is stuck in Puerto Rico until January 8th because of flight cancellations.

Courtesy of Kaci Jane Hansen

My mom encouraged me to put my $50,000 savings on the line. It turned into a company I sold for $22 million.

Tech Insider : Business, Economy
Jaclyn Johnson headshot
Jaclyn Johnson bought her company two years after selling it.

Courtesy of Jaclyn Johnson

I'm a 69-year-old startup founder and former PayPal and Intuit CEO. I bike to work, take midday naps in my closet, and use index cards to stay organized.

Tech Insider : Business, Politics
Bill Harris sitting in an office
Bill Harris reveals his daily routine rooted in "simplicity."

Bill Harris

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Bill Harris, the 69-year-old startup founder of Evergreen Wealth and former CEO of PayPal and Intuit, based in Miami. It's been edited for length and clarity.

I realized I hated computer engineering, so I joined my father in the food business. We fight every day, but I don't regret it.

Tech Insider : Business
Ethan Tan standing in front of his hawker stall.
Ethan Tan joined his father's hawker business and branched out.

Aditi Bharade

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