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☆ I worked remotely from a cruise ship for almost a month and it was hard but I'm doing it again
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-09 | by ( Jamie Killin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Tony Fernandes, CEO of UEGroup, managed his company from a cruise ship for 21 days. AdvertisementThis as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Tony Fernandes, a 60-year-old founder and CEO of UEGroup based in San Francisco, about his experience working remotely on a cruise ship. In November, I embarked on a trip where I spent several weeks leading my company from a cruise ship with my wife. Expect very slow internet serviceOne thing I didn't realize prior to the trip was that the cruise ship had only one satellite connection shared by thousands of people. If you live or work on a cruise ship and would like to share your story, please email mlogan@businessinsider.com.

Persons: Tony Fernandes, Fernandes, —, It's, We're, You've Organizations: Service Locations: San Francisco, Europe, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Japan, Portugal, California

☆ I worked at SpaceX where Elon Musk was a cubicle away. At Elon's companies, it's add value or leave.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( Jamie Killin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Vincent Peters worked in military compliance when he was poached to work at SpaceX. So I graduated on medical leave, couldn't be deployed, and continued on medical leave for another six months before being discharged. I was introduced to people on the SpaceX Mission team, and ultimately, they asked me to interview with them for a job at SpaceX. AdvertisementThat mentality is how I started working on Starlink. In 2020, I asked to help and was allowed to work on their projects in addition to my work at SpaceX.

Persons: Vincent Peters, —, couldn't, Freddie Mac, I'd, Gwynne Shotwell, I've, it's, It's, We're Organizations: SpaceX, Service, Federal Aviation Administration, US Government, SpaceX Mission, International, NASA, Department of Defense, SpaceX SpaceX, Elon Locations: West, cubicles, Elon

☆ I worked at SpaceX. It was the most ruthlessly efficient company I've ever worked for.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( Jamie Killin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

This is an as-told-to essay based on a transcribed conversation with Vincent Peters, founder of Inheritance AI and former SpaceX employee discussing his career path and experience at SpaceX. I was introduced to people on the SpaceX Mission team, and ultimately, they asked me to interview with them for a job at SpaceX. What it's like working at SpaceXSpaceX is the most efficient company I've ever worked for. AdvertisementThat mentality is how I started working on Starlink. In 2020, I asked to help and was allowed to work on their projects in addition to my work at SpaceX.

Persons: Vincent Peters, couldn't, Freddie Mac, I'd, Gwynne Shotwell, I've, it's, It's, We're Organizations: Service, SpaceX, Business, Federal Aviation Administration, US Government, SpaceX Mission, International, NASA, Department of Defense, SpaceX SpaceX, Elon Locations: West, cubicles, Elon

☆ I'm a HENRY financial planner who makes $125,000. Here's how I manage my money — and the mistakes I see others making.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-22 | by ( Jamie Killin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Georgia Lord, a 27-year-old certified financial planner and HENRY in New York City. I have a few financial goalsOne of my financial goals is to save up for the professional designations available in my field since they can be expensive. To reach my savings goals, I automate at least 20% of my paycheck every two weeks and deposit it in a high-yield savings account. For example, some stock market returns might've been 3% last year, but some high-yield savings accounts have a return of 4.5%. That's just as important as putting $100 into the stock market every week.

Persons: HENRY, Georgia Lord, I've, That's, Ally, CapitalOne360, There's, might've, Roth, We're Organizations: Morningstar, Business, Roth IRA, — Locations: Georgia, New York City, Brisbane, Australia, New York

☆ 5 airlines worth splurging on for the best first-class experience
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-19 | by ( Jamie Killin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Jaclyn Sienna India travels often to scout airlines and locations for her luxury travel company. Air France, Emirates, and Qatar Airways are among the airlines that give her the best experience. Courtesy of Jaclyn Sienna IndiaAfter working there for five years, I wanted to bring that level of service to travel. EQRoy/ ShutterstockAir France’s first-class cabin, La Première, only has four seats per flight, and it feels like you're flying private. Like many of my other favorites, Singapore Airlines planes have room for double suites for couples and private suites with sliding doors.

Persons: Jaclyn Sienna India, —, Sienna Charles, I’ve, Le, I’m, we’ve, you’re, Jordan Tan, Shutterstock, There’s, Shutterstock I’ve Organizations: Air, Qatar Airways, Service, Air France Air France, France’s, Air France, . Emirates Emirates, Emirates, Singapore Airlines Singapore Airlines, Singapore Airlines, I’m, Etihad Airways Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways Qatar Airways, Shutterstock Qatar Airways Locations: Air France, Emirates, Beverly Hills, Philadelphia, Europe, Paris, New York, Milan, Dubai, India, Asia, Etihad’s

☆ I moved to Portugal after falling in love with my tour guide. It was a lonely and humbling experience.
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-19 | by ( Jamie Killin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Jermaine Amado started living part time in Lisbon after meeting his girlfriend there in 2017. He was lonely in Portugal when his girlfriend was at work, and photography gear was more expensive. In 2017, I started traveling around the world because I wanted to find a place to move outside Denver after my divorce. I had a great time there, and while I was exploring, I went on a free walking tour and saw this tour guide. AdvertisementMy time living partly in Portugal ended in 2020My relationship and my time in Portugal ended after three years, but I have no regrets.

Persons: Jermaine Amado, —, Jermaine Amado I'm, I'd, I'm, There's, — it's, Venmo Organizations: Service, Denver Locations: Lisbon, Portugal, Denver, Taiwan, Holi, India, Colorado, Mexico

☆ I bought a Tesla Model 3 to drive long distances. It's easier and more affordable than I expected, but there's one downside.
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( Jamie Killin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Wally Nowinski bought a Tesla Model 3 in 2020 to drive from California to his parents in Michigan. It was so easy to buyEven if Tesla was selling a gas car, I would probably buy it. Most people go to their neighborhood gas station once a week, but with an electric car you'll never have to do that again. AdvertisementAdvertisementFor most of the time I've owned the car, I've lived in apartments. I'd even consider another electric car.

Persons: Wally Nowinski, Elon Musk, —, it's, Tesla, I've, It's Organizations: Tesla, Service Locations: California, Michigan, El Cerrito , California, San Francisco, Seattle

☆ Best Budgeting Tips for a Big Family With Lots of Kids
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-19 | by ( Jamie Killin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

She says having a big family is like a birthday party where the guests never leave. People always compare large families to reality-TV stereotypesWhen people hear we're a large family, they immediately compare us to the Duggars, but that's a negative stereotype of big families. Moms of large families are often seen as supermoms, but we have hard days just like everybody else and need help sometimes. Having a big family is like hosting a birthday party every dayHaving a large family is like hosting a birthday party every day. We'd owned our home in Virginia for 16 years, so we hadn't thought about the bias we would face as a large family trying to rent.

Persons: Jane Brosseau, Brosseau, I'm, It's, I've, it's, We're, Fred Meyer, We've, we've Organizations: Service, Walmart, Costco, Facebook Locations: Wall, Silicon, Washington, Northern Virginia, Virginia, East

☆ I'm a Dallas mom who left Uber and Lyft to drive for Alto where I can get health insurance and a 401(k) — here's why it's a much better side gig
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-23 | by ( Jamie Killin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

I tried driving for Uber and Lyft from 2015 until 2020 off and on. AdvertisementAdvertisementIf I work one 10-hour shift a week, I can remain an Alto driver, and as a driver you're paid by the hour — not by how many trips you book. I recently had a schedule change at my full-time job to mornings, so now I work evenings as an Alto driver. Driving with Alto has the structure and certainty of a full-time jobWith Alto, we have set shifts, like regular employees going into an office. As an Alto driver, you also have the option to get health benefits and a 401(k) because all drivers are W2 employees.

Persons: Tamara Smith, Uber, I've, It's, Lyft, overnights —, isn't, Tamara Smith's Organizations: Service, Alto, Foods, FAA Locations: Dallas, Wall, Silicon, Dallas , Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Washington, San Francisco, Alto, New Orleans, RideCheck

☆ I was put on a PIP in my director-level job and fantasized about quitting. So I quiet quit for 3 months before actually walking out.
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Jamie Killin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

After being placed on a PIP, he 'quiet quit' for 3 months before leaving in January. Within a couple of weeks I was assigned another project, which turned out to be the worst project I've ever worked on. I started warning leadership and my peers that it wasn't going to get doneI told them we needed way more resources if we were going to do it right. That harmed me as a director — I essentially became a really expensive business analyst who wasn't making any money for the firm. After being placed on my PIP, I realized this wasn't the job for me, but I needed to ride it out to make ends meet.

Persons: John Garvens, I've, —, Michael Phelps, — I'd, I'd, I'm Organizations: Service Locations: Wall, Silicon, Freeport , Illinois, Revenue, —

☆ I moved to Japan to teach on a US military base. The whole experience cost me thousands when the job didn't work out.
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-07 | by ( Jamie Killin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Brianna Stultz got an offer to teach on a military base in Okinawa, Japan, and moved in December. Despite making a friend and loving Japan, she regrets taking the job and has moved back to Arizona. I got an initial offer for a teaching job on a military base in Okinawa, Japan, in July 2022 — and I returned home to Arizona almost exactly one year later. I also met a friend through work who I'm absolutely devastated that I'm not going be able to see all the time now. I did love living in Japan, but I'm happy to be home so I can do all the things I missed here.

Persons: Brianna Stultz, —, I'd, I'm, they'd, could've Organizations: Service, Opportunity Commission, Junior League Locations: Okinawa, Japan, Arizona, Wall, Silicon, Phoenix , Arizona, Phoenix, United States

☆ I own a village of tiny homes in the Arizona desert that were built to feel like treehouses — see inside
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-28 | by ( Jamie Killin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Urban planner Darin Dinsmore created a camp in Sedona, Arizona, with four tiny homes. My background in urban planning was one of the things that led me to start the TinyCamp project in Sedona and Cottonwood, Arizona. They're all permanent tiny houses with foundations and fire sprinklers, and they each have their own hot tubs and fireplaces. It shocks people, but tiny houses are expensiveA ladder leading up to the loft bed area of the TinyCamp home. The Achilles heel of the tiny house movement is that it's $10,000 for a sewer hookup.

Persons: Darin Dinsmore, I'm, Danielle Holman, We've, we've, It's, Jane Ferrell, Clarkdale Organizations: Service, Sedona, Google, TinyCamp Sedona Locations: Sedona , Arizona, Wall, Silicon, Sedona, Cottonwood , Arizona, California, Coconino County, Cottonwood, Sausalito , California, Sausalito, Arizona, Los Angeles, Northern Arizona, Clarkdale , Arizona

☆ I run a 'Barbie-ish' Airbnb in Arizona that caters to bachelorette parties — and my girly decor keeps it booked despite a challenging market.
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-04 | by ( Jamie Killin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Bre Fleschner hosts bachelorette party groups in her "Barbie-ish" Airbnb in Tempe, Arizona. The desert dream house includes a heated pool in the backyard. It's since turned into my desert dream house. A lot of people are now doing what I'm doing, so I want to find ways to stay on top. bachelorette desert dream house couch Courtesy of Bre FleschnerHowever, the Airbnb landscape is changingThis time last year I had approximately twice as many bookings as I do this year.

Persons: Bre, —, Bre Fleschner, It's, I've, Fleschner, they'd, Louis, It's Barbie, haven't, I'm, What's, hasn't Organizations: Service, HGTV Locations: Tempe , Arizona, Nashville, Orlando, Miami, Arizona, St, Scottsdale, Tempe, Phoenix, Palm Springs, Florida

☆ Two friends bought a rundown Joshua Tree property for $15,000 and turned it into an Airbnb complete with an open-air stargazing deck. See Inside.
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-07 | by ( Jamie Killin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

The Folly Joshua Tree is an off-grid, two structure space designed by Malek Alqadi. Alqadi and business partner Hillary Flur had prior success renting their Los Angeles apartments on Airbnb. Then in 2016, Alqadi and Flur finally landed on 2.5 acres in Joshua Tree after one of Flur's colleagues told her they were buying property there. Alqadi and Flur purchased the off-grid, rundown homestead for $15,000 and got to work on renovating the property. This one-of-a-kind property took approximately a year to complete.

Persons: Joshua Tree, Malek Alqadi, Hillary Flur, —, Flur Organizations: Service, Home Locations: Angeles, Airbnb, LA

☆ I rent out my car on Turo and now it pays for itself. Here's how I got started and stay booked.
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( Jamie Killin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Nate Matos is a Turo host based in Miami. He started by renting his own car on the platform, then bought a second vehicle just for renting. I decided to become a Turo host after listening to Earn Your Leisure, a financial education podcast, about two years ago. The podcast brings on a lot of guests to speak about different aspects of business, finance, and entrepreneurship, and I saw an episode with someone who was sharing his experience with Turo car rentals. I did make some mistakes on Turo initiallyFor example, at first, I had both of my cars on Turo.

☆ See inside an arctic Airbnb village that costs $190 per night and lets guests sleep under the Northern Lights
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-10 | by ( Jamie Killin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

The Arctic Hideaway, located in northern Norway, was created by composer Håvard Lund. The village has all the functions of a normal home but is split into multiple structures. Guests at the Airbnb can see wildlife like birds and otters, and a view of the Northern Lights. "Despite my in-depth description on Airbnb, I still have bookings from people who don't read one word and just see the pictures and come. "People breathe differently and see natural phenomena that they won't see if they're indoors," like birds, sea otters, and the Northern Lights, Lund said.

☆ This Airbnb owner put 2 tiny houses in his yard to make extra cash, and now they're his primary income — see inside
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-02 | by ( Jamie Killin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: 1 min

Troy is very transparent about the neighborhood the home is in, warning guests that there might be trash in the streets. He also urges visitors to treat the unsheltered community with respect. Courtesy of Ansel Troy

☆ I bought 2 Airbnb tiny houses and put them in my yard. It started as an easy way to make extra cash — now it's my primary source of income.
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-11 | by ( Jamie Killin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

I became an Airbnb host after I bought a tiny house and parked it on the side of my home in Oakland, California. Before the tiny house, I had converted my garage into a studio. I had a long-term tenant there already, and getting the tiny house was my attempt to make a little extra income on Airbnb. I think the popularity of tiny homes and the minimalist movement, along with my low pricing, helped attract Airbnb viewers. Since I had extra space, I decided to buy another tiny house for $35,000I call it The Tiny Heauxtel, and I bought it in 2021.

☆ I did the Disney College Program 4 times and had years of free access to the parks. Here's how I got in.
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-05 | by ( Jamie Killin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Keller participated in the Disney College program four times, working at the parks as a student. When I was 12 years old, I learned about the Disney College Program. When I got older, I learned that travel and tourism was a college degree programI went that route for my bachelor's and master's degrees while in the Disney College Program. I was there until the following August, then went back to Florida to do the Disney College Program again while I started graduate school. I had to apply for the Disney College Program each time, so I learned the process wellThe college program application just requests super basic information from you — it's not one of those long, 100-question type things.

☆ I own an 'arctic hideaway' Airbnb in Norway, where guests can pay $150 per night to sleep under the Northern Lights
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-05 | by ( Jamie Killin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Håvard Lund is the owner of an "arctic hideaway" Airbnb in Gildeskål, Nordland, Norway. Lund's Airbnb is a village of tiny houses, where guests can see wildlife and the Northern Lights. They came up with the idea of a tiny village with all the functions of a normal house, but cut into several houses. A arctic hideaway building with the Northern Lights in the sky behind it fyreMediaTwo of the six years we've been open have been during the COVID-19 pandemic, so it's been slow. If guests come to visit a remote island in the Arctic without shops and cars, they need to know that they can handle it.

☆ I ask my Airbnb guests to do chores and pay a cleaning fee — here's why
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-09 | by ( Jamie Killin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

As a host, we have the ability to set the price of our cleaning feeThe cleaning fee is an extra cost on top of the nightly rate to address the cleaning costs for the home. When we upped our cleaning fees, we doubled the number of cleaning professionalsThat helped with cleanliness, but then we lost bookings because of the high cleaning fees. When we reduced our cleaning fees to their original price, we upped our nightly ratesTo offset any unforeseen cleaning costs, we raised rates by $70 per night. We ask our guests to do 2 chores before they leaveThis helps keep costs down and maintain the excellent condition of the property for future guests. Courtesy of Michelle BursonSecond, we ask that guests take some measures to help out the cleaning professionals who come in after their departure, which also helps us keep our cleaning costs down.

☆ I bought a $15,000 property to turn into an off-the-grid Airbnb 6 years ago. Now it rents for $1,250 per night — and it's done so well that I just quit my job.
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-09 | by ( Jamie Killin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Hillary Flur, 31, is the owner of an off-the-grid Airbnb in Joshua Tree, California. Then I heard about Airbnb, and I thought to myself: "I'm going to Airbnb my apartment so I can afford rent." Malek and I would work from Monday to Friday in our office, and then on the weekends we would drive out to Joshua Tree and start building. Since we started renting the property in late 2016, unique Airbnbs in Joshua Tree have grown in popularity. For people who're trying to do Airbnb in Joshua Tree now, it can be pretty hard to find something affordable.

☆ I create a holiday display at the Phoenix Zoo but it's a year-round job that includes putting up lights in June
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-31 | by ( Jamie Killin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The light exhibit is an important event for the zoo, which is a nonprofit, because it's our largest fundraiser. Ultimately, a position opened up on the ZooLights team and he thought I'd be a good fit, so I ended up applying and got the job. By June 1, the ZooLights team is starting to install all the lights and armatures. ZooLights at the Phoenix Zoo is an important event because it’s its largest fundraiser. It's also an important event for the zoo because it's our largest fundraiser.

☆ I work as a Christmas elf in Arizona dancing and chatting about Santa to visitors
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-25 | by ( Jamie Killin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

I'm an aspiring dancer and actor, and I auditioned for the Christmas elf role in early October through my school. I'm working as a holiday elf at Enchant, a holiday celebration sponsored by the Hallmark Channel in eight U.S. cities. Enchant Christmas features a 100-foot Christmas tree and a maze where guests can find sculptures of each of the nine reindeer. Enchant Christmas ScottsdaleWe also tell the kids stories about how we got to the Phoenix area from the North Pole. My friends and family have come to see me at work s so it's a great experience all around.

☆ See inside a cowboy ranch in the Las Vegas desert, where teepees run $131 a night on Airbnb and guests can throw axes and do cattle drives
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-29 | by ( Jamie Killin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: 1 min

On it, Airbnb hosts Rob and Sandi Croft rent out tiny homes, teepees, and a wagon to guests. They manage the accommodations for the ranch. Rob and Sandi Croft. Courtesy of Rob and Sandi CroftYou can read more about their business here.

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