Stock Watch: Billionaires

Bernie Sanders doesn’t think they should exist; Bruno Mars wants to be one so frickin’ bad. This week on Stock Watch, we’re charting billionaires throughout history.

Icebreakers With…Cassey Ho

Blogilates

If you've ever genuinely cracked a smile three sets deep into a grueling ab workout, it's almost certainly because you were being coached by Pilates guru Cassey Ho.

Cassey has posted workouts and blogged under the Blogilates brand for 12 years. As CEO, she turned free YouTube Pilates classes into a health and fitness empire, expanded into gyms, built an app, created a thriving activewear brand, and much more.

We asked Cassey some icebreaker questions to learn how she's held onto her digital crown. 

You've been working in the public eye for 12 years. How have you learned to grow as a person while keeping your audience along for the ride?

When I first started, I was trying to keep fans happy, but there comes a point when the fans are telling you who to be instead of you leading them. And I got stuck in a place where I began to get super scared of upsetting people.

In 2019, I decided to go on my 90-day journey, not just for physical reasons, but also for mental reasons, emotional reasons…[I discovered] myself, finding my confidence and my strength again, and in all natural ways—eating healthy and working out.

Do you create for different platforms with a different audience in mind? 

It's like talking to different siblings; they just need to be talked to differently if you want a certain result. How I'm going to talk to someone on TikTok is different than how I'm going to talk to them on Facebook.

Instagram users are eating up Reels because I think there is a sect that is not willing to go on TikTok. So that's one place where I’m able to use the same content on both platforms.

You only get to use two condiments for the rest of your life. What are they?

Sriracha and Everything but the Elote Seasoning from Trader Joe's. 

Best concert?

2CELLOS. They are these two guys who play the cello, but really hardcore. Classical music with this rocker twist.

What question do you wish people asked you more?

Would you like to have dessert? I'm always asking people, and they're like, "No, we're full."

How does an established YouTuber, blogger, and Instagrammer translate that success to TikTok? How do you stay authentic when you are the brand? Read the rest of our interview with Cassey to find out.

For Non-Cringe Team Bonding Activities, Just Ask

Each week, Morning Brew’s Head of People Ops Kate Noel will answer reader-submitted questions about work in 2021. 

I am a manager of a team of 10 people, and we could use some bonding after working remotely for a year. Do you have any ideas for non-cringe virtual activities? —Dan from Detroit

Hey Dan, thanks for writing in! As the Head of People Ops, I like to think of myself as the leader of fun, so coming up with team events is my specialty. During Covid, I've helped Morning Brew host trivia nights, socially distanced picnics, a virtual drag show, a magic show, and a virtual escape room, just to name a few. 

In your case, I would suggest you ask your team members what they are interested in. What might be considered cringe for one group might be super fun for another! So getting their insight would cut out a lot of the guesswork. Another great resource is Groupon. Prior to the pandemic, Groupon vendors held their events in person but had to pivot to virtual experiences once the world lowkey shutdown. You will be surprised at all the creative ideas that now exist for groups of different sizes. 

Hope that helps, and be sure to let us know what you end up kicking things off with! 

Is it okay to eat during Zoom meetings? —Avery in Santa Clara, CA

My HR-safe answer? "No." My real-life answer? "Read the room, boo!" All Zoom meetings are not created equal. If it’s with your closest teammates, it’s probably nbd. But if you feel nervous about eating your sushi on camera, then you might want to wait until after the awkward goodbye waves at the end of your meeting. Not for nothing, you could probably get away with keeping your video off during a larger group meeting to eat food. But at your own risk, so choose your own adventure. 

Something bothering you at work? Ask Kate for advice here.

The Big Ballot Showdown at the Arctic Circle

EMIL HELMS/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images

When Greenland pops up in the news, it means one of three things: a) global warming is getting worse, b) someone wants to buy it, or c) a dramatic election took place over a rare earths mining project with implications for US national security.

In fact, there was a fierce election held there last week with global ramifications. But first, because there’s no such thing as a stupid question….

What is Greenland? 

The island that dominated the top part of the map in your high school classroom is a semiautonomous territory of Denmark, not an independent country. 

It’s pretty empty: About 57,000 people live there, despite the landmass being big enough to cover more than 20% of the US. The only economic game in town is fishing, which is why Denmark provides two-thirds of Greenland’s budget and handles its monetary and military affairs.

But like Dippin' Dots, there’s so much potential, and that’s what this election was all about. Greenland sits on one of the world’s biggest deposits of rare earth elements, minerals that are required for the production of modern machines like fighter planes, electric vehicles, and smartphones. 

After years of paperwork, a Chinese-backed Australian mining company was ready to tap these reserves. But then opponents called for a snap election to stop the project in its tracks...and it worked. On Wednesday, the pro-environment Inuit Ataqatigiit (IA) party wrested power away from the Siumut party, which had supported the project.

• The IA party isn’t opposed to all mining, just this particular development, which critics say could release radioactive waste into the fragile environment that surrounds the site.

A lot is at stake 

For Greenland and for the US, China, Russia, or anyone else that considers themselves a global superpower.

For Greenland: Many Greenlanders want independence from Denmark, but the only way that can happen is to wean themselves off Danish payments. The economic boom generated from rare earth mines could be their ticket out. 

For the US: With China controlling over 70% of rare earth mining, the US is eyeing Greenland’s reserves (about 10% of the world’s rare earths) as a way to become less reliant on China for these critical raw materials.

For the rest of the world: Greenland is becoming the hottest destination this side of South Beach. As climate change melts away Greenland’s ice sheet, shipping routes are opening up that could cut travel times from Asia to Europe in half, which, if you know anything about the traffic at the Suez Canal (and you do), is quite attractive. 

Bottom line: When former President Trump floated the idea of buying Greenland in 2019, everyone had a good laugh, paused for a second, then went, “Hmmmm, not a terrible idea.” Expect the battle over Greenland, and within Greenland itself, to heat up in the next few years.

Open House

For today’s Open House entry, we’re taking y’all down to Waco, Texas, in honor of the new men’s college basketball champions. Try to guess the listing price of this Lone Star house based on several facts and pictures.

Zillow

If you liked cheering on Baylor, you’ll love living 12 minutes from campus in this luxurious 4,444 square-foot house built in 1982. Amenities include:

• 5 beds, 4 baths
• A pool surrounded by giant oak trees for secret pool parties (nothing weird, just secret)
• 3 fireplaces
• A master bedroom with a sitting area, perfect for resting before a long night of sleeping

How much do you think it costs? Scroll down to find the answer.

Just Click It

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Meme Battle

Welcome to Morning Brew's Meme Battle, held right here in your inbox every Sunday. 

The winner of the first-ever Meme Battle is Sophie from Vancouver. Congrats on this masterpiece—let's NFT it. 

This week’s challenge: You can find the new meme template here for next Sunday. Once you're done making your meme, you can submit it at this link. We'll pick a winner to feature in next week's Sunday Edition and provide everyone with another meme template to meme-ify. 

$725,000 (there was recently a $24k price cut!)

✢ A Note From Bankrate

Based on comparison of Bankrate's average refinance rates vs. average national 30-year fixed mortgage rate as reported by Bankrate's National Average survey, a survey of the 10 largest banks in 10 large US markets as of 03/31/2021. Terms and conditions apply. Bankrate, LLC NMLS ID# 1427381 BR Tech Services, Inc. NMLS ID# 1743443

Monthly payment reduction based on 30-year fixed-rate mortgage with an initial balance of  $350,000, originated 4/24/2019 at the average national 30-year fixed mortgage rate as reported by a survey of the 10 largest banks in 10 large US markets, refinanced at the Bankrate national average of refinance rates as of 3/31/2021. Terms and conditions apply. Bankrate, LLC NMLS ID# 1427381 BR Tech Services, Inc. NMLS ID# 1743443

✤ A Note From Masterworks

See important info