as-told-to

How to Break Into Tech, What to Focus on Instead of a CS Degree 0

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Jiaona Zhang, the CPO at the AI software company, Laurel. She previously worked in product at Airbnb, WeWork, and Linktree. Since 2018, she has taught an annual graduate-level class in product management fundamentals at Stanford, in-person and online. She is in her late 30s and lives

I Live in Houston and Earn $285,000 Each Year. Here’s How I Budget.0

This as-told-to essay is based on conversations with Morgan S., a 37-year-old strategy senior manager in Houston. It has been edited for length and clarity. I’m from Houston, and I love it. My monthly take-home pay from my corporate job is just under $10,000 after taxes. I feel very financially secure here and ahead of

I’m 58 Raising 2 Grandchildren After Their Parents Died; Can’t Retire 0

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Cynthia Gonzalez, 58, who is raising two of her grandchildren in Tucson, Arizona — one since she was a baby, and the other since age 11. Business Insider also spoke with Serina Palacio, her 40-year-old daughter, who helps raise them. This interview has been edited for

She Moved to Dubai Last Month, Got a Pay Raise — and Has No Regrets 0
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- April 30, 2026
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Renee O’Drobinak, director of marketing and communications at PMKConsult, a construction and project management consulting firm based in Dubai. Her words have been edited for length and clarity. Loading audio narration… I’ve been in Dubai for about a month, and my husband and I are really
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AI Helps Neurodivergent Solopreneurs With Key Tactics and Planning 0
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- March 10, 2026
When Rita Ramakrishnan first started her executive coaching company, Iksana Consulting, not all of the new skills she needed to hone came easily. As a solopreneur with autism and ADHD, certain operational basics of running a business were more difficult for her than for some of her peers. Loading audio narration… “Anything that requires being
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I Still Work at 83 to Make Extra Money After Raising Kids, Grandkids 0
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- March 8, 2026
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Sue Miller, 83, who lives in Wisconsin. Miller raised three children, two grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren, much of which was on her own. Miller now lives alone near her autistic son and works as a lunch lady. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
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