I'm the CEO of Canyon Ranch. My days can start as early as 2:45 a.m. and include the 'cowboy coffee' ritual and ice cream, if I'm lucky.

Tech Insider : Business
a headshot of a man in a blue shirt
Mark Rivers.

Canyon Ranch

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Mark Rivers, the CEO of Canyon Ranch, based in Austin. It's been edited for length and clarity.

I grew up poor and undocumented. I created a beauty brand that generated $2 million in sales in a single day.

Tech Insider : Business
Gisselle Hernandez headshot
Gisselle Hernandez founded her beauty company while at home with her baby.

Courtesy of Gisselle Hernandez

It took me 2.5 years to transition to an AI team at Google. These 11 books to help me pivot.

Tech Insider : Business, Technology
Rahul Kasanagottu
Rahul Kasanagottu

Rahul Kasanagottu

I'm building my AI startup in high school. I don't buy the dropout myth — I'm still going to college.

Tech Insider : Business
Ace Yip 18-year-old founder
Founder Ace Yip explained why she's still heading to college.

Ace Yip

I live on the same property as my ex. Our daughter doesn't have to move her stuff around and gets time with both of us.

Tech Insider : Business, Environment
Family posing for photo
Katie Lynch and her ex-husband live on the same property.

Courtesy of Katie Lynch

Before meeting my NFL player husband, I wanted a career in education. Now I homeschool our 6 kids and make them wear uniforms.

Tech Insider : Business, Travel
Tamela Davis homeschool her kids
Tamela Gill Davis homeschools her six kids.

Courtesy of Tamela Davis

I'm a CEO who takes a 3-day silent retreat every year. I book an Airbnb, cover the clocks, and let my mind wander — it's changed my life.

Tech Insider : Business
A man holds a rusty metal A-frame beside a frozen, snow-covered pond on a sunny winter day.
Noah Greenberg takes an annual 3-day silent retreat.

Kellock Irvin

I joined a company with an AI mandate. I was daunted at first, but I've saved hours by solving a big, boring problem.

Tech Insider : Business, Crypto, Technology
Komal Amin headshot
Komal Amin works at Mighty Bear Games.

Courtesy of Komal Amin

Parents, please stop asking me to hire your kids

Tech Insider : Business
A man and woman stand in front of a retail store.
Scott Tannen and his wife cofounded the bedding company Boll & Branch in 2014.

Clark Adams

I built a recruiting platform for AI jobs. Here's the challenging reality of the AI talent wars.

Tech Insider : Business, Technology
a man in a gray suit poses outside
Alfredo Mercedes.

VU Talent Partners

Subscribe to as-told-to