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☆ I'm a general manager at Microsoft and a mom of 3. I used to hide my parenting responsibilities at work until I made one bold move.
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-19 | by ( Charissa Cheong | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

AdvertisementKatharine Kennedy, a global GM at Microsoft, took her baby with her to a work conference in May. In 2017, I got a global client director job at Microsoft, a company I'd always wanted to work for. In 2020, I left Microsoft to work at Salesforce, where I had my second child. AdvertisementWhen an important work conference came up shortly after I had my third child, I decided to take him with me to the event. AdvertisementBut when I brought my baby to the conference, I demonstrated how to harmonize personal and professional responsibilities.

Persons: Katharine Kennedy, Kennedy, I've, I'd, I'm Organizations: Microsoft, Big Tech, Business Locations: Florida, Salesforce, Las Vegas, ServiceNow, Vegas

☆ I built a 'tiny house' Airbnb hotel and sold it for $7 million. Here's why I decided to walk away when I did.
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-16 | by ( Charissa Cheong | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

I sold the property, called Live Oak Lake, for $7 million in October 2023. Part of the reason I considered selling Live Oak Lake was because of the stress of running it. We listed Live Oak Lake for sale in the summer of 2022. AdvertisementSelling the property has alleviated my stressI think I sold Live Oak Lake at the right time. AdvertisementThe Live Oak Lake project was an amazing project, a baptism by fire in the realms of real estate, marketing, and hospitality.

Persons: Isaac French, Instagram Organizations: influencers, Business Locations: Texas, Nordic, Waco, Zillow, Instagram

☆ I chose Europe over the US for my startup. The Silicon Valley startup benchmark is unparalleled, but I still prefer Berlin.
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-11 | by ( Charissa Cheong | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Ivan Maryasin founded Monite after moving from Silicon Valley to Berlin. Here's how its startup ecosystem compares to Silicon Valley. It's hard to find people with the same values or who'll know what you're talking about when you say, "Silicon Valley benchmark." AdvertisementI like living in Europe, but wouldn't rule out returning to AmericaMost people in Silicon Valley are focused on startups and innovation. If you're all about work and want to focus 24/7, Silicon Valley is the place to be.

Persons: Ivan Maryasin, —, I'd, that's, I've Organizations: Service, Hult International Business School, San Francisco, EU, LinkedIn, Facebook, MIT, Harvard, Business Locations: Silicon Valley, Berlin, Germany, Russia, Massachusetts, America, Moscow, Europe, it's, Zurich, Barcelona, London, San Francisco, California, Monite, Silicon

☆ I graduated from college at 39, after almost a decade in the military. I feel behind, but I think I made the right choice.
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-05 | by ( Charissa Cheong | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Josh Rose graduated from college at age 39 after nine years of active service in the military. Rose spent five years in the Air Force and four years in the Army on active duty. It paid well and was familiar from my time in the Air Force, but looking back, it was a mistake. I graduated at 39 and got a software engineering jobIt wasn't until May 2024 that I graduated from college at age 39. I feel behind in life, but I think finishing college was the right choiceHaving a degree boosted my confidence.

Persons: Josh Rose, —, Rose, didn't, I'd, Bill, I'm Organizations: Service, United States Armed Forces, Air Force, Army, University of Arkansas, Air, Federal Aviation Administration, FAA, Fortune, Business Locations: Texas, Afghanistan

☆ I 'quiet quit' my accounting job in my 30s. It was the right decision and helped me determine what truly makes me happy.
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-04 | by ( Charissa Cheong | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

But she realized her job wasn't making her happy and became a "quiet quitter." AdvertisementThis as-told-to essay is based on a transcribed conversation with Heather Doran, a 43-year-old in Mississippi, about "quiet quitting" at work. Roughly three years into the role, I started "quiet quitting." But "quiet quitting" is about going back to just doing the job we were hired to do, which isn't lazy. AdvertisementDo you have a "quiet quitting" story you want to share with Business Insider?

Persons: Heather Doran, she'd, —, We're, We'll, I'd Organizations: Service, Business Locations: Mississippi, South Carolina, I've

☆ I'm a seasoned angel investor. Here's what I'm looking for from entrepreneurs — and what makes me turn them down.
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-03 | by ( Charissa Cheong | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

William Reeve is an entrepreneur who's been angel investing for the past 25 years. AdvertisementThis as-told-to essay is based on a transcribed conversation with William Reeve, 52, an angel investor based in North London. I've been a fairly active angel investor for 25 years now. I'd say the sort of people who do angel investing because their accountant suggests doing it for tax breaks aren't going to do very well. AdvertisementDo you want to share your angel investing story?

Persons: William Reeve, who's, —, Reed, I've, Gabrielle Wesley, I'd, It's, Alfred Hitchcock, haven't Organizations: Service, Amazon, Fletcher Research, Mars, McKinsey Locations: North London, Dunelm, Mars Wrigley, America

☆ I have 6 short-term rental properties. People think real estate is passive income, but I disagree.
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-15 | by ( Charissa Cheong | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Alongside her partner Philippe, she now has six short-term rental properties. AdvertisementThis as-told-to essay is based on a transcribed conversation with Kerri Gibson, 48, based in Orford, Quebec, about her short-term rental business, Chalets Hygge. Some people consider getting into real estate as a source of passive income, but I wouldn't say it's passive at all. We funded the downpayment through an equity release in the form of a mortgage on our personal home turned short-term rental. Real estate has historically been thought of as passive income, running short-term rentals is not passive.

Persons: Kerri Gibson, Philippe, Gibson, —, I'd, Votre Histoire.co Philippe, We've, COVID, there'll Organizations: Service, Business Locations: Orford , Quebec, Airbnb, CA75,000, CA188,000, Vancouver, Quebec, Montreal, Orford, OTAs

☆ I'm a tech founder who's had to flee Lebanon. The conflict has spiraled at a terrifying rate, but the tech community is still pressing ahead.
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-14 | by ( Charissa Cheong | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

It exposed me to the amount of tech talent in the region. I felt guilty about leaving my team behind, but I'm determined to keep platforming tech talent in Lebanon and support the people who want to keep working. Many people don't know Lebanon has a vibrant tech sceneIn recent years, the tech sector in Lebanon has been booming. On multiple occasions, I'd leave Beirut to stay with friends in the mountains during the night. AdvertisementI didn't want to leave Lebanon and my team, but the UK government were urging British nationals to leave.

Persons: Laura Jardine Paterson, —, I'd, I've, we've, there'd, there's, Paterson, I'm, They've Organizations: Service, Tech, Business Locations: Lebanon, London, Palestinian, Syrian, Europe, Syria, Egypt, Jordan, UAE, Beirut, Israel, Southern Lebanon

☆ I moved to NYC from Denmark. I may have left one of the 'happiest' countries in the world, but New York is more exciting.
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-11 | by ( Charissa Cheong | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Denmark is among the happiest countries in the world, but Davies said New York is more exciting. AdvertisementThis as-told-to essay is based on a transcribed conversation with Joanna Davies, 30, about moving from Denmark to New York. Denmark was a safe place to live with a lot of welfare support, but I've found a more exciting destination in New York. New York feels especially different from Denmark's strong welfare system. Denmark may be one of the 'happiest' places to live, but New York is more excitingDenmark is known as one of the happiest countries in the world.

Persons: Joanna Davies, Davies, —, Denmark's, I've, Denmark I'd, — It's, New York hasn't, There's Organizations: Service, Aarhus University, Columbia University, Business Locations: New York, Denmark, London, Aarhus, America, New York . New York, Manhattan, Central, New York New York

☆ I spent my childhood traveling for my dad's work. It wasn't all that glamorous, and I struggled when we moved home.
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-03 | by ( Charissa Cheong | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

AdvertisementThis as-told-to essay is based on a transcribed conversation with Sally Prag, 49, from the UK, about traveling with her parents during her childhood. I struggled to adjust when we moved back to the UK, where I spent the rest of my childhood. In Tanzania, we lived close to a mud hut village, and I knew the residents lived differently from us. A childhood of traveling wasn't as glamorous as people think and I struggled with life back in the UKPeople always ask me how amazing my childhood must have been. It really was amazing, and I'm grateful for the experiences I had, but it wasn't as glamorous as people imagine.

Persons: Sally Prag, she's, Prag, —, I'd, we'd, I'm, expats, weren't, I've, We've, I, they've Organizations: Service, Business Locations: Malaysia, Tanzania, Kenya, Ghana, Indonesia, Nepal, England, Africa, expats, Tanzania —, France, India, Devon

☆ My expat parents took me traveling with them when I was young. Now, I'm terrified by the idea of moving around a lot with kids.
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-03 | by ( Charissa Cheong | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Now, as an adult, Prag says expat parents should help their kids develop lasting connections. AdvertisementThis as-told-to essay is based on a transcribed conversation with Sally Prag, 49, from the UK, about traveling with her parents during her childhood. I'd advise parents raising kids abroad to help their children maintain long-term friendships and hobbies. In Tanzania, we lived close to a mud hut village, and I knew the residents lived differently from us. My advice to expat parents is to help your kids keep up long-term friendships and hobbiesBecause of my upbringing, I'm a confident traveler.

☆ Some techies are leaving cushy Silicon Valley jobs to launch startups at home in India
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-01 | by ( Shubhangi Goel | Charissa Cheong | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

Some expat Indians are moving back home to launch companies of their own. But the chaos, where even established startups are trying and failing, makes India a fair playing field for new entrants, Hassan said. Programs like Startup India, which provides founders benefits like tax exemption, easier compliance, and funding support, have made creating a company smoother. Bhide returned to India in January, leaving behind about $580,000 in total compensation at ticketing platform StubHub. Bhide said the general sentiment among local founders is shifting from "Build from India" to "Build for India."

Persons: —, Nithin Hassan, — Hassan, Hassan, he's, Binod Khadria, Khadia, That's, Ben Mathias, VCs, Mathias said, Devyani Parameshwar, It's, Rohan Bhide, Bhide, Dhruv Anand, Dhruv Anand Dhruv Anand, Anand, Ruchit Garg, Garg, Niranjan Vemulkar, Vemulkar Organizations: Service, Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, Global Research, Diaspora, Business, Vertex Ventures, Indian, Startup, Reliance, Tech, Google Locations: India, Bengaluru, Oyo, Byju's, Asia, Africa, Delhi, Gurugram, Silicon Valley, It's, Mumbai, Bangalore

☆ I grew up undocumented in a red state. I now have my dream career after receiving DACA — but my childhood was full of fear.
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-30 | by ( Charissa Cheong | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Javier R. Quiroz Castro came to the US when he was three and applied for DACA when he was 22. In 2013, at 22, I applied for DACA — deferred action for childhood arrivals — and was given a work authorization card, enabling me to pursue a career in nursing. AdvertisementMy parents didn't have Social Security numbers or credit lines, so they always paid in cash. AdvertisementI applied for DACA, which opened doors for me to work legally in the USA year before I graduated from nursing school, President Obama announced DACA. AdvertisementThe US needs good people who work hard, and that's what a lot of my people want to do.

Persons: Javier R, Quiroz Castro, Quiroz, —, Javier, Obama, DACA —, I'm, I've, didn't, they'd, couldn't, DACA, Biden, haven't, Joe Biden, Trump Organizations: Service Locations: Houston , Texas, Mexico, Nashville, Houston

☆ I use an AI assistant as a doctor and cut hours off my workload. But, I'm still cautious about AI's future.
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-25 | by ( Charissa Cheong | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

I work at my clinic 40 hours a week, but I used to spend a lot of my time documenting patient notes outside those hours. AdvertisementLast fall, I started using Suki AI, an AI-powered voice assistant, to help me make notes from patient interactions. I'm in favor of using AI for notetaking, but do have hesitations about using it for other purposes in the medical field. I signed up to trial Suki AI, which I heard the American Academy of Family Physicians endorsed, and a competitor product. I'm all in when it comes to using AI for transcription and summing up visits, but we have to make sure we have appropriate guardrails when going beyond that.

Persons: —, Jennifer J, Bryan, I've, It's, I'd, Suki, I'm, we're Organizations: Service, Hattiesburg Clinic, Business, Mississippi State Medical Association, American Academy of Family Physicians Locations: Mississippi

☆ When I moved to Bali 10 years ago it was poised to be a new Silicon Valley. Now, it's overcrowded and touristy.
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-24 | by ( Charissa Cheong | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Read previewThis as-told-to essay is based on a transcribed conversation with Christin Baumgarten, 39, about living in Bali with her husband and two kids. I moved to Bali from Berlin in April 2014. I moved to Bali when it was becoming known as an emerging startup hubI initially just planned to stay in Bali for the length of the three-month internship. Related storiesI was lonely at first, but now I have a husband and 2 kids hereInitially, I found Bali a bit lonely. Another is that following the Ukraine war, lots of people from Russia and Ukraine have moved to Bali.

Persons: —, Christin Baumgarten, I'd, I've, we've, I'm Organizations: Service, Business, Tourism Locations: Bali, Berlin, Silicon Valley, Indonesian, Sumatra, Germany, Bali ., Ukraine, Russia, Renon

☆ I was going into Amazon's office 5 days a week before the RTO push. It's helped me focus and bond with teammates.
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-20 | by ( Charissa Cheong | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

AdvertisementFor most of my time at Amazon, I've been going into the office five days a week. When Amazon RTO rules started requiring people to come into the office three days a week, I noticed that in-person work helped me and my team collaborate better. Roughly a month after I started, I decided to work in the office five days a week. I heard rumors about Amazon employees "coffee badging" on the news, but I don't personally know of anyone who's done it. In-person work has helped my team collaborate and improved my focusI heard about Amazon's new RTO policy, requiring employees to come in five days a week, on Monday.

Persons: —, Luka Emrashvili, I've, It's, I'd, they'd, We've Organizations: Service, Business, Amazon, Big Tech Locations: Amazon, New York, I'm, Georgia, Eastern Europe, weren't, Bryant

☆ I help the ultrawealthy secure golden visas and golden passports. Here are the top 5 countries they want to move to.
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-20 | by ( Charissa Cheong | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Read previewThis as-told-to essay is based on a transcribed conversation with Armand Arton, 47, president of Arton Capital, a financial advisory firm, about golden visas and passports. We advise them about golden visas and golden passports — government programs that offer residency or citizenship rights to foreign investors. AdvertisementDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, many American investors couldn't enter Europe, so they are now looking for residency programs in European countries. After this year's elections in France and the UK, we're also seeing millionaires in those countries looking to relocate. I'd advise wealthy migrants to get in on programs sooner rather than laterThe number of applicants for golden visas increases every year.

Persons: —, Armand Arton, couldn't, we're, haven't, I've, It's, Brexit, We've, who've, Irma, Maria, it's, I'd Organizations: Service, Arton, Arton Capital, Business, Caribbean Locations: Europe, France, Hungary, Portugal, Spain, Property, Greece, Italy, England, Germany, UAE, Antigua, Barbuda, Bulgaria, Ireland

☆ 3 money mistakes even accounting professionals make, according to a personal finance expert who worked at EY and PwC
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-17 | by ( Charissa Cheong | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

I started my career as a solicitor and worked at PwC as part of their legal team in the UK. From my early days at PwC, I felt Big Four businesses operate super efficiently and do fantastic work. We work with organizations to support their early career talent, providing them with training on navigating uncertainties around personal financial literacy and how businesses work. When you're working at Big Four companies, there are all sorts of rules and regulations about the types of investments you're allowed to make because of audit restrictions. I recommend that early career professionals talk to their peers about what works for them from a personal finance position.

Persons: —, Carla Hoppe, I've, who've, overspending, PwC, I'd, isn't, Gen Zers Organizations: Service, Big, Business, EY Locations: PwC

☆ Even kids of the ultrawealthy are anxious about inheritance. Here are 4 top questions I get asked as a wealth expert.
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-11 | by ( Charissa Cheong | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

I'm the managing director and head of the Merrill Center for Family Wealth. But often, they aren't sure what success means to those people, perhaps because family members feel uncomfortable talking about it. How can I build my own personal identity, both within and outside the family wealth? Many rising generation members are concerned about how to carve out a path for themselves. When rising generation members interact with friends and colleagues, it can lead to uncomfortable questions about wealth and privilege.

Persons: —, Valerie Galinskaya, we've, I've, We've Organizations: Service, Bank of America, Business, Merrill Center, Family Wealth Locations: New York City, San Francisco

☆ I lived in Silicon Valley, New York, and London as a founder. If you're looking for a place to build a business, there's one clear winner.
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-23 | by ( Charissa Cheong | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

I've lived in the Bay Area, New York, and the UK while building and scaling Zyper. But if you want to be laser-focused without distractions, you can't beat the Bay Area. Particularly in the Valley, there's a propensity for very quickly backing "zero-to-one ideas" and creating something entirely new. Silicon Valley is special, and I plan to stayI moved Zyper to San Francisco right before the pandemic hit. AdvertisementThere are other emerging markets, like Korea, Brazil, and China, but I think there's something very special about the ecosystem and history of Silicon Valley.

Persons: —, Amber Atherton, I've, Zyper, Y Combinator, Y, it's, Michael Seibel, Everyone's, London's, There's, overregulate Organizations: Service, Business, Patron, Nvidia Locations: San Francisco, London, New York, Palo Alto, Bay, California, Zyper, Mountain View, Hong Kong, England, American, Delaware, . New York, York, Europe, Silicon Valley, Miami, Austin, Silicon, Korea, Brazil, China

☆ I quit my Big 4 accounting job to be a full-time entrepreneur. It's useful to have a stable job for as long as you can.
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-14 | by ( Charissa Cheong | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Macdonald, 32, quit his accounting job at PwC in 2016 to work on ManiLife full-time. I decided to accept a job at PwC, a Big Four accounting company, for a three-year graduate program. When the time came to return to my accounting job in September 2015, I gave up my peanut butter venture and returned to the UK. I had shelved my idea for a peanut butter brand to work at PwCI came up with the idea for ManiLife — my peanut butter company — living in Argentina. Having a stable job helped me get my business off the groundI think I left my PwC job at the right time.

Persons: —, Stu Macdonald, Macdonald, I'd, weren't, didn't, I've, I'm Organizations: Service, Business Locations: Wilmslow , England, PwC, Argentina, Córdoba, British

☆ I quit Goldman Sachs to be a stay-at-home dad. More men should look after the kids so women can have careers.
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-11 | by ( Charissa Cheong | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Read previewThis as-told-to essay is based on a transcribed conversation with Pranshu Dwivedi, 35, from New Delhi, about quitting his job at Goldman Sachs to be a stay-at-home dad. Business Insider verified his employment at Goldman Sachs with documentation. I joined Goldman Sachs as an intern in 2011, and in 2012 I got a full-time job as an analyst working in their Bengaluru office. AdvertisementI loved my experience at Goldman Sachs. I joined Goldman Sachs full-time in 2012, working on the equity research team.

Persons: —, Pranshu Dwivedi, Goldman Sachs, Goldman, I've, Hong Kong Goldman, We'd, wouldn't, She's, I'm, there's Organizations: Service, Goldman, Business Locations: New Delhi, Bengaluru, Hong Kong, Delhi, India

☆ I had a remote tech job at Amazon, but then RTO kicked in. I quit after they asked me to move to another city.
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-09 | by ( Charissa Cheong | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

In July 2022, three months after graduating, I started a full-time software engineering job at Amazon after applying and interviewing for the role. I enjoyed working remotely at AmazonWhen I started working at Amazon, the job was fully remote. I went into the Toronto office a couple of times, but it was super empty. I visited the Vancouver office twice when the company flew me out for social events. Amazon asked employees to RTO and, in some cases, relocate to a new cityI liked remote work and not having to waste time commuting.

Persons: —, Gazi Jarin, I'd Organizations: Service, Business, Amazon, Toronto Locations: Vancouver, Toronto, COVID, Seattle

☆ I moved to Thailand for graduate school. The free degree I earned isn't recognized in the US, but it inspired my side business.
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-07 | by ( Erin Liam | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Read previewThis as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Charissa Enget, a content creator and cybersecurity architect who gained her graduate degree in Thailand. So, after I graduated with a mechanical engineering degree from Oklahoma State University in 2017 and was trying to decide where to go for a graduate degree, I thought it could be the perfect opportunity. Charissa EngetThe university experience was different from what I was used toIn my Thai university, they were taught engineering from the ground up. Charissa EngetWithout a scholarship, the graduate program would have still been more affordable than pursuing a graduate degree in the US. I've moved back to the US but travel back to Thailand oftenAfter completing my graduate degree in 2020, I returned to the US.

Persons: —, Charissa Enget, Enget, Charissa, Kasetsart, I've, Chiang Organizations: Service, Business, Oklahoma State University, Kasetsart University, Thai Locations: Thailand, China, Venezuela, Spain, New Zealand, Thai, Bangkok, American, Chiang Mai, Houston

☆ I work at Microsoft and didn't realize how evil tech can be until I had kids. Here's how I limit their screen use to 1 hour a day.
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-06 | by ( Charissa Cheong | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Though I work in tech, I'm not very familiar with social media. I'll spend hours reading through tech documents to keep up with the latest developments. My three oldest kids have iPads provided by their school, and they also have personal Android tablets and phones. We then started looking for tools to monitor our kids' technology use. I talked with my three oldest kids about the monitoring, saying I wanted to ensure they were consuming age-appropriate material.

Persons: —, Bill Safcik, I've, I'm, they're, They're Organizations: Service, Microsoft, Business, Facebook, Big Tech Locations: Texas

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