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MrBeast is currently the most-subscribed YouTuber in the worldbut his biggest moneymaker isnt content. Its chocolate. The 26-year-old creator, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, owns the snack brand Feastables, which generated $251 million in sales and more than $20 million in profit last year, according to investor documents obtained by Bloomberg. By contrast, his main media businessincluding his blockbuster YouTube channel and the Amazon Prime reality competition show, Beast Gamesbrought in similar revenue but lost nearly $80 million over the same period. With 372 million subscribers at the time of writing, MrBeasts videos range from spending 100 hours inside the pyramids to helping 2,000 people walk again. As you might imagine, content of that sort doesnt come cheap. The average video for MrBeasts main channel now costs between $3 million and $4 million, according to Bloomberg. Recouping such extravagant production budgets is no easy task, especially with only a few videos released per month. Little surprise, then, that the YouTube star has spent the past few years leveraging his fame to build businesses that have nothing to do with the social media platforms he started out on. Now, the most profitable arm of Beast Industries is its commerce division, led by the chocolate brand Feastables. According to Bloomberg, the company forecasts that Feastables will triple in size over the next couple of years, while media revenue will only account for one-fifth of its total sales by 2026. (MrBeast did not respond to Fast Companys request for comment.) As well as Feastables, Beast Industries is also a shareholder in the snack brand Lunchly and owns Viewstats, a software firm that sells digital tools to fellow content creators. As reported by Bloomberg, Beast Industries has secured more than $450 million in funding over the past four years to fuel its businesses. In recent months, MrBeast has been in talks with investors to raise an additional $200 million, which would push the company’s valuation past $5 billion, The Verge reported last week. Investors backing Beast Industries’s $5 billion valuation are betting on a future driven by consumer products rather than viral videos. Beyond Feastables, MrBeast is gearing up to launch a range of new products in the coming years, including beverages, a snack brand, and a cereal line. Hes also set to expand into mobile gaming, with a division expected to debut next year. This reflects a broader monetization shift in the creator economy, where major social media stars are pivoting from content to consumer products. Last year, popular podcast host Alex Cooper launched her drink brand, Unwell, while YouTuber-turned-podcaster Emma Chamberlain opened her first ever café in Los Angeles for her coffee brand, Chamberlain Coffee. Logan Paul, another early YouTube star, cofounded Prime energy drink and teamed up with MrBeast on Lunchly. Turns out, selling your brand as a chocolate bar or a beverage might be the real jackpot.
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E-Commerce
Let’s face it: The workplace is pretty much an extrovert’s world, with all those meetings and open work spaces. It’s not always easy for introverts and people who prefer a quieter setting to be at the top of their game, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be productive in an office and have a really successful career. The trick is finding the right job fit. Resume Genius, a website for job seekers, recently released its curated list of introvert-friendly well-paying jobs for 2025. Jobs were ranked based on four factors: autonomy, amount of social interaction, minimum median salary of $48,000 a year, and high job-growth potential. The researchers compiled their results from O*Net and Glassdoor reviews to determine the first two factors, and data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to determine the last two. The jobs on this list emphasize independent work, problem-solving, and analysis. Introverts can be more independent and usually possess highly sought-after soft skills like deep focus and creative problem-solving,” Nathan Soto, a career expert at Resume Genius, said in a statement. Here are the top 10 jobs for introverts: 1. RadiologistMedian annual salary: $353,960Estimated job growth (2023 to 2033): 3%Typical educational requirements: Doctor of medicine (MD) degree, radiology residency program 2. Natural Sciences ManagerMedian annual salary: $169,120Estimated job growth (2023 to 2033): 8%Typical education level: Bachelors degree in natural science or a related field 3. Computer and information research scientistMedian annual salary: $157,160Estimated job growth (2023 to 2033): 26%Typical educational requirements: Master’s degree in computer science or related field4. Physicist and AstronomerMedian annual salary: $149,530Estimated job growth (2023 to 2033): 7%Typical educational requirements: Bachelor’s degree for entry-level position, master’s and PhD in physics for advanced5. Computer hardware engineerMedian annual salary: $147,770Estimated job growth (2023 to 2033): 7%Typical educational requirements: Bachelors degree 6. Software developerMedian annual salary: $138,110Estimated job growth (2023 to 2033): 17%Typical educational requirements: Bachelors degree in computer and information technology or related field7. Computer network architectMedian annual salary: $133,930Estimated job growth (2023 to 2033): 13%Typical educational requirements: Bachelor’s degree in computer-related field8. ActuaryMedian annual salary: $132,500Estimated job growth (2023 to 2033): 22%Typical educational requirements: Bachelors degree in mathematics, actuarial science, statistics, or other analytical field 9. Biochemist and Biophysicist Median annual salary: $120,310Estimated job growth (2023 to 2033): 9%Typical educational requirements: Bachelor’s degree in biochemistry, biology or related field for entry-level position; master’s and PhD for advanced 10. Operations research analystMedian annual salary: $95,600Estimated job growth (2023 to 2033): 23%Typical educational requirements: Bachelors degree in operations research, business, mathematics, or engineering
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This article is republished with permission from Wonder Tools, a newsletter that helps you discover the most useful sites and apps. Subscribe here. I like thinking on paper. Thats why Ive got a box under my desk with 27 old idea notebooks. But when Im looking for a specific note scrawled early in 2020, digital notes are helpfully searchable. Given that paper and digital have distinct advantages, Ive been experimenting lately with hybrid approaches. Read on for what Ive found to be most useful. My current notebook of choice: The reMarkable Paper Pro What it is: A specialized paper tablet originating from Oslo, Norway that feels like a cross between a Kindle and an iPad. Its designed for writing and reading, not Web surfing, games or social apps. In touch and sound its closer to paper than any digital device Ive used. Its simple to use, well-designed, and I rarely need to charge it. Choose this if . . . You like the feel of paper but prefer having a single, organized device to piles of paper notebooks. Its great if youre easily distracted by multi-purpose devices (thats me) or if you spend a lot of time taking notes by hand and want a luxurious, minimalist device. My favorite features: Feels like paper. You can adjust the marker (stylus) to look and feel like various pens or pencils. The screen somehow even sounds like paper. Backup and sync. See any of your notes later on your phone, tablet, or laptop app as editable PDFs. During an online meeting you can even use the paper tablet as a whiteboard to screenshare live notes or diagrams. Flexible annotations. I like annotating PDFs as I read. You can toggle your notes on/off to return to the original. Unlike the Remarkable 2, this model lets you add color annotations, though I rarely do. You might find it handy to have distinct hues for highlighting facts or quotes. Distraction-free. No apps, email, browser, or notifications to tug at your attention. Easy import. You can easily import articles or documents from your Web browser or from Google Drive or Dropbox. Eye-friendly Its easier on your eyes than an iPad or computer, and works well in the dark, too, with an adjustable, built-in backlight. Templates. You can start with a blank page or your choice of lined or dotted page templates; calendar or task list templates; or even a Bullet Journal from the new template and workbook collection. Caveats Single-purpose device. If you need a multi-function tablet, this isn’t it. If you already have a digital watch, phone, tablet, & laptop, you may have enough. Premium investment. The $579 price point makes this a luxury device for those who can afford to invest in a fancy note-taking tablet. Doesnt work with Kindle books or other reading formats. Its great for PDFs and ePub files, and you can even import Web articles with a bookmarklet in your browser. But you cant use it to read your Kindle books. Feels large for reading. If youre used to holding a small Kindle in your hand, this device feels big at 274 x 197mm (10.8 x 7.8). The reMarkable 2 is a little smaller and cheaper ($399). No multi-document view. Unlike a laptop or an iPad, this device doesnt let you view multiple documents at once. Thats good for staying focused, but it adds friction when youre switching back and forth between two reference documents, as Ive been doing lately. Slower page turns. As with other E Ink screens, you have to wait a bit longer for each new page to load on this device than on LCD or LED screen devices. Clunky handwriting to text conversion. You can convert handwritten notes into digital text, even if you have messy handwriting like mine, but the process involves multiple clicks and I havent been thrilled with the resulting conversion and formatting. Slight learning curve. Its easy to use out of the box. But for advanced features, like triple-tapping to cut and paste text or adding multiple annotation layers, youll need a bit of practice. Pricing: $579 with the Marker (stylus) or $629 with the Marker Plus, which has a built-in digital eraser. The Book Folio protective cover is $89, while the Type Folio cover, which lets you type notes, is $229. The eraser tip is worth the extra $50 for quick corrections. The cover with built-in keyboard is only necessary for those who type all the time or use the device in place of a laptop. The optional Connect subscription for backing up your device and syncing to mobile and desktop apps is $30/year after a free 100-day trial. My flexible, reusable backup notebook: Rocketbook What it is: A reusable notebook with plastic pages (made with Polyester/ Polypropylene) that you write on with erasable FriXion pens. How it works: To digitize notes, use Rocketbooks free smartphone app (iOS or Android) to scan a page and send it to Google Drive, Evernote, Slack, Dropbox, Box, Trello, OneNote, OneDrive, iMessage, iCloud, or Google Photos. Then wipe the page off to reuse it. Choose this if . . . You like writing with an ink pen but want to keep notes organized in your preferred digital hub. It works well if you want a relatively low-cost, reusable notebook and dont want another digital device. My favorite features Reusable pages. Wipe off the ink with a damp cloth and you can repeatedly use the same pages. Easily scan notes to your digital hub. By marking a symbol at the bottom of a given notes page, you can send that particular page to your preferred destination. You can send some pages to one place, others to another. No subscription cost. The app is free, with no monthly fees. Lightweight design. The spiral binding and fold-back cover makes it easy to quickly return to any page. Easy page titling. You can write a double-hashtag at the top of any page to set its title for simpler digital categorization. Text conversion. Transform your handwriting to searchable text as long as its not illegible. Caveats Requires a special pen. Youll need a backup supply of FriXion pens. Different writing feel. Plastic pages feel different from traditional paper. Occasional smudging. The erasable ink can sometimes smudge before it dries completely. Be careful about leaning your hand on fresh ink. Cheap, light material. This is essentially a collection of coated plastic sheets, so it doesnt have the heft of a thick notebook or a digital tablet. Pricing: $30 to $50 depending on the size and style. These go on sale periodically. FriXion pens cost a few dollars each. Tips: I like the $38 Fusion model because it includes 42 pages with seven different page templates. It includes monthly and weekly calendar pages, dotted, lined and list pages, and project, goal and idea templates. Size: I prefer the executive size (6 x 8.8 inches) because its a bit more portable than the larger letter format. The mini size can be handy if you like keeping a notebook in your pocket. I also like a new hybrid alternative, the Boogie Board Blackboard 2.0 This reusable smart notebook has a permanently dark screen. It feels like writing on black glass with a special smart pen/stylus. Like the Rocketbook, you link the Blackboard to a free mobile app. From the app you can send an image or PDF of anything youve written or drawn to another app like Dropbox or Apple Notes. Like the Rocketbook, you don’t have to worry about recharging the screen. There is, technically, a battery in the Blackboard, because it’s a passive LCD screen, but you can use it for years without an issue. Ive used other Boogie Board screens and never had to change a battery. I think of it like a grown-up Etch a Sketch. It’s a fraction of the cost of the reMarkable tablet or an iPad, but its flimsy case gives it a much cheaper, more plastic-y feel. Limited space: The Blackboard 2.0 has just one page to use and then sync before running out of space. The Rocketbook, by comparison, gives you 42 pages to write on before you need to sync or erase. The reMarkable can store hundreds of thousands of pages of digital notes. Charging and syncing: If you get the Blackboard version with the Smart Pen, you do have to recharge the stylus. Its easy to misplace either the pen or the pen cover. On the plus side, it’s a little easier to sync and erase than the Rocketbookjust press a button to sync your writing or drawing to your online notes. Press another button to erase a page and start fresh. Pricing: $150 for the Blackboard 2.0 with the Smart Pen, or $45 for the same Blackboard minus the smart penin which case you use your phone to scan what you write into the Blackboard app, much like the Rocketbook. If you want a digital pen: Livescribes LivePen What it is: A digital pen that records what you write on special paper and converts it to digital text. Consider this if you like the feel of paper and want to backup your notes digitally without a tablet. Youll still have to buy special notebooks so the pens built-in camera can track your words digitally. I like that the newest model is ultra-portable. I had an old version of this pen that felt like a chunky highlighter. The $65 LivePen bundle includes four 158-page journal-sized notebooks. Keep them in distinct locations so you can use them with your digital pen wherever inspiration strikes. Caveats Special paper required. Youll have to repeatedly buy Livescribe notebooks or download and print special paper files with the required micro-dots. Easy to misplace. The LivePen is smaller than the other note-taking tools, meaning its easier to lose it. Comfort considerations. Its smaller than older models, but may not be as sleek as your favorite Cross pen. Battery dependent. Youll have to charge it every couple of weeks. Prefer plain paper? Try Leuchtturm1917 What it is: A traditional, sturdy, paper notebook, with a table of contents section at the front to help make it easier to organize notes inside. Choose this if . . . Youre a traditionalist who wants zero distractions or if have no interest in additional gizmos to plug in. Or maybe you just enjoy the tactile experience of pen on paper. No batteries, charging, cords or software updates needed. Tips: Snap picturesof important notes and upload them to ChatGPT, which excels at recognizing handwriting and converting it to digital text. No special app needed, and you can send the converted notes to your digital hub of choice. Options: I like the $17.50 dotted model with numbered pages, two page markers, a pocket and an elastic closure band. If you often write outdoors, consider the $29 Outlines model for extra durable waterproof paper and a water resistant cover. Or if you draw, try the 120g model for $29 for low-transparency paper that wont let ink run or colors show through to the back. Want a cheaper choice? This similar Rettacy notebook is just $8. Bottom line: I rely on a blended system No one tool satisfies all of my note-taking needs. Other explorations: I use Letterly to take audio notes, and I experiment occasionally with Goodnotes and other iPhone and iPad apps. Why all-digital isnt optimal: I need to get away from screens on Saturdays, and periodically at work. So no digital-only system will work for me. Why all-paper doesnt work: Having filled up desk drawers and storage bins with old reporting notebooks, Im not eager to accumulate more paper. And my urban life is variableI often dont have a paper notebook with me. What I prefer: For now, the reMarkable Paper Pro is my preferred note-taking tool when Im at work or doing extended brainstorming at home. An occasional replacement: When in meetings or with my children, I sometimes prefer my Rocketbook to remove any hint of digitalia. Paper lives on. I sometimes pull out an individual piece of paperor index cardsand later digitize it with ChatGPT. This article is republished with permission from Wonder Tools, a newsletter that helps you discover the most useful sites and apps. Subscribe here.
Category:
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