I felt pure happiness when I was laid off from Microsoft after 14 years. It was the green light I needed to start my own business.

Tech Insider : Business
headshot of a woman in a black shirt and blue blazer
Tatiana Teppoeva.

Courtesy of Tatiana Teppoeva

I worked at Baidu, ByteDance, and Microsoft. Now, I've raised millions to build robotic pets.

Tech Insider : Business, Style, Technology
He Jiabin is now building AI-powered robotic pets in Beijing.
He Jiabin left jobs in Big Tech and is now building AI-powered robotic pets.

Provided by He Jiabin

I was an MD at a big bank, and I retired early. Real happiness came from buying my freedom, not an expensive watch.

Tech Insider : Business, Sports
Eric Sim is wearing a blue blazer and sitting at a bus stop.
Eric Sim, 55, spent more than 20 years in banking. The former UBS managing director says people should use their money to buy freedom, and not impress others.

Eric Sim

I went from making $200,000 a year to using SNAP. Here's what I wish people knew about government assistance.

Tech Insider : Business
Carli Michelle Wright

Courtesy of Carli Michelle Wright

I stopped waiting for 'the one' and became a single mom at 38. I only wish I'd done it sooner.

Tech Insider : Business, Economy
Mom and her son hold a ball
Shivani Singh works as a legal professional in Sydney.

Akshay Sammi

I switched from a corporate career to launching an AI-native company with no tech background. I knew the time was now.

Tech Insider : Business, Technology
A man smiling outdoors in front of green foliage, wearing a black zip-up jacket over a dark shirt.
Tim DeSoto was a senior director at Walmart. Now he's launching an AI-native startup.

Courtesy of Tim DeSoto

I quit my tech job to grind tree stumps. I'm outdoors, working with my hands, on my own schedule, and making a good living.

Tech Insider : Business, Technology
headshot of a man in a white t-shirt in a field
Tyler Mumford.

Courtesy of Tyler Mumford

I left Google after 10 years to launch my AI startup in Tokyo. I can accomplish a lot more in Japan than in Silicon Valley.

Tech Insider : Business, Environment, Style
Jad Tarifi, wearing a white shirt and suit, is posing in front of the Tokyo Tower.
Jad Tarifi, 42, joined Google in 2012 and spent nearly a decade with the search giant.

Jad Tarifi

I left a VP-level role in Big Tech and now I work with startups. It's more unpredictable, but startup life is invigorating.

Tech Insider : Business, Environment, Style
Robert E. Williams sitting in a chair and smiling
Robert E Williams left a career in Big Tech after 15 years to work with startups.

Robert E. Williams

I'm an American who moved to the 'Hamptons of England' to open a luxury deli. We serve A-listers — but locals are key.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
Split image of Jesse D'Ambrosi and D'Ambrosi Fine Foods
Jesse D'Ambrosi and the signage for her store, D'Ambrosi Fine Foods, in Stow-on-the-Wold.

Courtesy of Jesse D'Ambrosi/Frederick Hunt for BI

Subscribe to as-told-to