My parents didn't approve when I dropped out of high school. But it became the first step toward starting my own company in China.

Tech Insider : Business, Sports
Christopher Zhang at CryoZone, a cryotherapy center in Shanghai, China.
Christopher Zhang had no interest in college, so he dropped out of high school and focused on his career in Shanghai.

Provided by Christopher Zhang

I have 3 kids of my own and am on my 9th surrogate baby. At 39, I'm done being pregnant.

Tech Insider : Business
A woman holding newborn twins
Westerfield with the second set of surrogate twins she delivered.

Courtesy of Emily Westerfield

I earned $600,000 last year. I made half at Google and $300,000 from my side hustle, which I spend 5 hours a week on.

Tech Insider : Business
Sundas Khalid in front of a Google sign
Khalid earned $302,000 in revenue from her content creation side hustle in 2024.

Courtesy of Sundas Khalid

I'm the CEO of Bojangles. Gen Z is key to helping us expand beyond our Southern roots.

Tech Insider : Business, Technology
Headshot of Bojangles CEO Jose Armario
José Armario, the CEO of Bojangles, spoke to Business Insider about the cajun chicken chain's growth strategy. The key demographic? Gen Z.

Bojangles

I was homeless at 17 while starting my company. Now it makes millions in revenue and has clients around the world.

Tech Insider : Business
Harry Sanders headshot
Harry Sanders was homeless at 17 and by 27 was a millionaire.

Courtesy of Harry Sanders

I'm Bill Nye, the science guy. I'm working to save America's best brand, but first I need to drink my coffee and feed the kitty cats — here's a day in my life.

Tech Insider : Business
Bill Nye

Corrie Aune fo BI

I'm 61 and scared to retire. I have $650,000 saved but wish I had more — I should've gotten into real estate sooner.

Tech Insider : Business, Travel
a man in a desert
Dan Steven Erickson.

Chris Otten

I'm a high school dropout who raised $6 million out of Y Combinator. Being a teen founder means you can take more risks.

Tech Insider : Business
Arlan Rakhmetzhanov, standing in front of a white background, wearing a black shirt and jeans, with his hands in his pockets.
TK

Mariya Harley

I left the Bay Area and moved to Barcelona after my tech layoff. It felt like losing my identity, but I'm so much happier now.

Tech Insider : Business, Economy, Environment
Woman standing under a stone archway in a narrow alley, smiling with arms crossed.
Steph Kumar relocated her family from the Bay Area to Barcelona after getting laid off and founding her own company.

Courtesy of Steph Kumar

I quit investment banking at Citi and professional tennis after burning out. I learned about when to walk away from a job.

Tech Insider : Business, Sports, Style
Vitoria Okuyama playing tennis, left, and the NYSE, right.
Vitoria Okuyama played tennis professionally before going into investment banking.

Courtesy of Vitoria Okuyama

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