Annie Margarita Yang is an author, speaker, and founder of Annie Yang Financial and The Job Search Academy. She is known for her unconventional career path and defiance of expectations. Annie was born to Chinese immigrant parents in Brooklyn, New York. She was told early on by many trusted adults that she wasn’t “special” enough to succeed without the traditional four-year college experience straight after high school. She chose to skip college and enter the workforce instead, and she quickly learned how to manage her finances on a minimum wage income.

Despite constant reminders that she wasn’t “qualified,” Annie worked her way up from low-wage jobs to high-paying roles in accounting, without an accounting degree. Along the way, she saved diligently, bought her first house at 25, and started an accounting firm helping real estate businesses manage their finances.

Annie’s mission is to empower others to overcome similar obstacles. She’s the author of two books—1001 Ways to Save Money and The 5-Day Job Search—and has appeared on over 130 podcasts about personal branding and career. Her story is a testament to persistence and resilience, showing that you don’t need the traditional credentials to achieve your goals. Through her work, Annie inspires people to ignore others and create their own path.