We run our bakery out of shipping containers. It was an unexpectedly cost-effective solution to scaling our business.

Tech Insider : Business, Economy
A man and a woman posing outside of a shipping container.
Chrissy and Ben Salif Traore began using shipping containers as their business expanded.

Nina Roberts

I lost $30,000 on my first business. Two years later, I built a business worth over $9 million — these are the lessons I learned.

Tech Insider : Business, Travel
Close up portrait of hand holding cash in front of a female office worker isolated.
Michelle Hu says shutting things down when they're not working is key to a successful business.

DeanDrobot/Getty Images

I'm 84 and grateful to work for my son's business. I made sacrifices for him, and now he's helping me.

Tech Insider : Economy, Business
Linda Kemp
Linda Kemp, 84, works for her son's law firm.

Linda Kemp

I used to resent my employees for taking long vacations. Here's why I no longer feel that way.

Tech Insider : Business
Ruchir Shah in Japan
Ruchir Shah

Courtesy of Ruchir Shah

My daughter was 19 when she was hit by a car. I learned too late that I had no medical authority.

Tech Insider : Business
A teenager wearing a blue prom dress
Baylie Grogan, then 18, at her high school prom.

Courtesy of Baylie's Wish Foundation.

I'm 66 and have roommates. It helps me make extra money and pay off my home.

Tech Insider : Business, Travel
A woman on the left, and a living room on the right.
Darlene McCord-Ochoa helps pay her mortgage by renting out rooms in her home.

Courtesy of Darlene McCord-Ochoa

I quit my job at 35 after my husband died. It's been 6 years, and finding a new job has been harder than expected.

Tech Insider : Business
Woman sitting on bench
Alex Delaney sits at the memorial bench for her late husband.

Courtesy of Alex Delaney

I run alcohol-free nightlife events in NYC. Most of my guests aren't sober — they just don't want to drink.

Tech Insider : Business, Economy
Sam Bail poses with a bottle of nonalcoholic sparkling wine during a sober party.
Sam Bail, hosts nightlife events in New York — without alcohol

Courtesy of Sam Bail

I'm the CEO of Beyond Yoga. I hike out my back door in the mornings, and I'm a creature of habit with food.

Tech Insider : Business, Style
headshot of the CEO of Beyond Yoga in black and white
Nancy Green.

Beyond Yoga

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Nancy Green, the CEO of Beyond Yoga, who's based in the San Francisco Bay Area. It's been edited for length and clarity.

I'm the CMO at Cluely. Here are 3 things that work in a cold reach-out — and what definitely doesn't.

Tech Insider : Business, Economy
Daniel Min in graduation gown
Daniel Min is the chief marketing officer at Cluely.

Daniel Min

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