• The app Clapper has surged in downloads amid a potential TikTok ban in the US.
• Clapper is a social-video app founded in 2020 and based in Texas.
• It offers an ad-free experience and monetization for creators.

Clapper, an upstart video and livestreaming app, has soared to third place in the free iPhone app download charts. The surge comes as TikTok awaits a decision from the Supreme Court about whether it will face a ban in the US.

Clapper was founded in 2020 when the first Trump administration initially floated the possibility of a TikTok ban. Bita Motiie, Clapper's head of operations, told BI that since then, Clapper has seen spikes in user growth any time the topic has been in the news.

"We've seen skyrocketing numbers of users joining us recently due to the fact that people are actively now looking for an alternative," Motiie said.

The top trending topic on Clapper on Wednesday was #TikTokRefugees.

A similar dynamic seems to have pushed the TikTok-like app Xiaohongshu, also known as RedNote, to No. 1 on the free iPhone apps leaderboard.

The US Congress passed a divest-or-ban law last year that will force TikTok to stop operating in the US if its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, doesn't sell the app. TikTok told the Supreme Court that the app would "go dark" in the US on Sunday if the divestment deadline isn't extended. A Supreme Court decision on TikTok's future is expected this week and legal experts told BI they thought the justices would uphold the law.

"A lot of our focus right now is helping all these TikTok users join our platform and learn about the differences," Motiie said.

Clapper shares much of the same vertical video functionality as TikTok but differs in a few key ways. It's only available to users 17 or older and doesn't carry ads.

"People are being bombarded with ads 24/7 through their phones, and we want to provide a safe haven where creators can focus on that genuine connection with others," Motiie said.

Creators can earn money on Clapper by receiving gifts from other users in livestreams, group chats, and direct messages. Creators can also sell subscriptions to their content or items on Clapper Shop. Clapper takes a 30% commission from these earnings.

Clapper's content can appear rougher around the edges than some other social-media platforms. On opening the app in the UK on Wednesday morning, BI was served a video of a man seemingly getting a horrific eye injury after being hit in the face, a woman almost being gored by a bull, and sexually suggestive "thirst traps."

Users can turn off "not safe for work" content. The app also forbids sexually explicit content or nudity.

Motiie said Clapper was focused on hiring three to four additional community managers and utilizing AI moderation tools. Clapper is a small business at present, with around 20 staff based in Dallas, Texas.

A Clapper spokesperson said the company hadn't taken on any outside funding since 2023, when it raised $3 million in seed financing. The spokesperson said the company is profitable and that it is not currently seeking further investment.

Industry insiders say Clapper needs to move quickly to seize the moment

Asti Wagner, CEO of Invyted, an app that connects brands with influencers, said Clapper would need to move quickly to appeal to creators and refine its marketing to ensure its overnight popularity translates into lasting business success.

"TikTok was lucky in that it massively boomed in lockdown when everyone was on their phones," Wagner told BI.

"The 'no ads' thing is really interesting, but I don't know how long that will last," Wagner said. Social platforms, in general, tend to derive most of their revenue from ads.

Motiie said it was very unlikely Clapper would introduce ads over the next couple of years. However, that doesn't mean brands can't collaborate with Clapper creators, she added. Clapper is also encouraging brands to set up their own profiles on the app.

Gigi Robinson, a creator with more than 150,000 followers on TikTok, joined Clapper in 2020.

She's only posted four videos and grown her audience there to around 1,000 followers. However, Robinson said that in light of TikTok's precarious position, she's considering posting more content on Clapper and has been in touch with the company's partnership team to get her profile verified.

Whatever TikTok's ultimate fate is, Robinson said the potential of the app going dark has highlighted that creators shouldn't be over-reliant on any single platform for their audience and earnings.

"A majority of creators are scrambling right now," Robinson told BI. "That's going to be the lasting impact."

The US Department of Transportation filed a lawsuit against Southwest Airlines, accusing the carrier of selling flights with unrealistic schedules that operated chronically late.

According to the DOT, Southwest Airlines caused 90% of the delays on flights between Chicago Midway and Oakland, California, and between Baltimore and Cleveland, Ohio, during a five-month period in 2022.

The agency also announced a $650,000 fine to be paid by Frontier Airlines for similarly behind-schedule operations. Earlier this month, JetBlue was hit with a $2 million fine for chronic delays.

DOT did not immediately respond to questions about why Southwest was sued while the other airlines were fined.

In a statement, a Southwest spokesperson said the airline is "disappointed that the DOT chose to file a lawsuit over two flights that occurred more than two years ago. Any claim that these two flights represent an unrealistic schedule is simply not credible when compared with our performance over the past 15 years."

The spokesperson added that Southwest has operated more than 20 million flights without other infractions since the DOT's chronically delayed flight policy was enacted in 2009.

This story is developing. Check back for updates.

• As an interior decorator, there are quite a few items I'd skip when designing the bedroom.
• I think vibrant colors and busy patterns can disrupt valuable wind-down time before bed.
• Personally, I think too many mirrors can be distracting to a bedroom's overall design.

Polyester sheets may be cheaper than other fabrics but I still wouldn't buy them.

My go-to fabric for sheets will always be 100% cotton, followed by pricier linen and silk. But I always avoid polyester when it comes to bedding.

Polyester is made from plastic fibers and isn't as breathable as natural materials, making it unideal for temperature control. It can trap moisture and create static cling, which can disrupt comfortable sleep.

Unlike a cotton sheet, which will soften over time, polyester materials may show wear and tear more quickly with regular washes.

Busy patterns and vibrant colors may disrupt your wind-down time before bed.

I love to decorate with bright colors and bold patterns but I use them sparingly in a bedroom. A high-saturation color palette or a busy pattern can strain the eyes and energize the mind, making it more difficult to relax. 

Instead, I strike a balance between busy and bland by adding contrast with light shades, dark muted colors, and lots of varying textures to create visual interest and a relaxing environment.

For example, color enthusiasts could pair off-white wall paint with dark-navy velvet curtains. If you're a pattern lover, opt for the kinds that appear in textures, like in handwoven throw pillows.

Leave the wicker furniture at the beach house.

The natural-fiber furniture trend recirculates every couple of years. Though it looks cute amongst eclectic bohemian decor, I recommend leaving it out of the bedroom.

The distinct woven texture can add dimension but its numerous crevasses collect dust and add to your cleaning routine.

If you're OK with periodically vacuuming your headboard and really want to incorporate wicker furniture, go for a modern weave style. And unless you're decorating an actual beach house, I recommend using one or two accessories of rattan decor rather than an entire bedroom set.

Highly reflective finishes may be elegant but they don't make for a cozy feel.

High-gloss or polished finishes are great for elevating an atmosphere but I avoid using highly reflective items in the bedroom.

Polished marble tabletops, high-gloss painted walls, and chrome hardware can make the overall space feel less cozy, as they're visually harsh and tangibly cold. Keep those materials for spaces like the living room or office.

Instead, opt for brushed metal, warm wooden furniture, and nonreflective textiles and wall coverings. I even suggest matte paint finishes to absorb as much ambient light as possible.

Open closets and storage solutions can quickly turn into clutter.

Open-storage solutions have become more popular but the bedroom is one area where I wouldn't recommend having items out on display.

Creating a visually relaxing zone to wind down in can be challenging enough without having to worry about your sweaters being neatly lined up.

I prefer wardrobe solutions with solid doors and drawers so that your bedroom can feel streamlined and neat once all your items are put away. The less visual clutter, the better.

Avoiding mirrors in the bedroom is more than just superstition.

I think too many mirrors, especially across from or in view of the bed, can disrupt a good night's sleep. Some consider it bad luck, and in the practice of Feng Shui, it's believed that a mirror will reflect the energy of a room and potentially amplify negative energy.

I use mirrors sparingly so I don't catch any movement in them when it's time to unwind at night.

If you choose to incorporate a mirror into your space, try placing it thoughtfully to reflect light and give the illusion of more space without showing the bed. 

Nightstands without storage are a missed opportunity.

Though minimalistic nightstands create a light, airy look in pictures, the inconvenience of not having a bedside storage solution will get old fast. As clutter piles up along the tabletops, your space will turn from chic to stressful with nowhere to hide your unmentionables.

I always choose a nightstand with at least one fully concealed drawer. Having some open shelving for a book or two might add a nice touch but be mindful, as this can also create clutter.

For an extra touch of luxury, opt for nightstands with built-in charging stations so that you can tuck away your devices at night and avoid any lingering blue light.

Hardwood, poured-concrete, and tiled floors should never be left bare in the bedroom.

Hardwood floors might be popular, but I'd consider installing wall-to-wall carpeting in the bedroom. Carpet dampens sound, adds insulation to a space, and is luxuriously cozy to walk on barefoot.

That being said, permanent carpeting can be divisive among homeowners and renters and tends to show wear and tear more quickly than hardwood flooring.

If wall-to-wall carpeting isn't for you, opt for the perfect balance by incorporating large area rugs into your bedroom. As a low-traffic area, the bedroom can be an excellent place for a high-pile, plush, or even shag carpet.

Overhead lighting can overpower the bedroom.

Recessed lighting and large chandeliers will create a lot of light but might not fit the relaxing vibe of the bedroom. When creating a lighting design for the bedroom, I like to avoid overhead bulbs and focus on variety.

Incorporating built-in sconces and connecting bedside lamps or lighting accents to a wall switch are great ways to bring soft light into your bedroom.

If you love the look of a statement chandelier, incorporate a dimmer or smart-bulb setup to control your lighting.

Retire the matchy-matchy comforter and pillow trend.

Oftentimes, a comforter will come with two pillow shams or a collection of matching throw pillows to create a completed set. Though it may look coordinated, it doesn't give off the elevated look of a designer bedroom.

Instead, try coordinating stand-alone shams and throw pillows with the color palette of your comforter or bedroom.

Create variation by using solid sheets, textured throw pillows, and fabric patterns that go well together but don't make an exact match. This technique will enhance the bed as the focal point of the room, and you'll get to choose more comfortable pillow fabrics.

This story was originally published on August 10, 2023, and most recently updated on January 15, 2025.

• Erosion has come for yet another home on the billionaire hot spot island of Nantucket.
• A house last purchased in July was demolished on Tuesday.
• Buying on certain parts of the wealthy island has become a gamble as weather patterns intensify.

Just over six months after businessman Don Vaccaro signed the paperwork on his new property on Nantucket's coast, the beach house is no longer.

On Tuesday, the three-bedroom home was demolished after being condemned by the town after the coast eroded to within five feet of the structure, according to a filing by the town's conservation commission. Just last year, the property was valued at nearly $2 million by the town's assessor. Vaccaro spent only $200,000 on it.

The home's final demise was a surprise, Mike Melvin, the general manager at Holdgate Partners, which oversaw the demolition, told Business Insider. Just last year, his firm had updated the house when its septic tank fell into the ocean.

"It was a little bit surprising to see how fast things have eroded out there," he said.

Melvin blames storms this winter with strong southeast winds that chipped away at the island's southern shore.

"They'd be better with a nor'easter, to be honest," Melvin added.

By the end of the week, what remains of 28 Sheep Pond Road will either be turned into gravel or packed up and sent to a contractor to handle the disposal off-island. Melvin worries other homes in the area might still be at risk as the year goes on.

"It could be just one bad storm" that takes out other properties, Melvin said.

Buying a home on certain parts of Nantucket, an island off Cape Cod's coast known for attracting the ultrawealthy like billionaires Eric Schmidt and Steve Schwarzman, is a gamble. In recent years, erosion has led to the demolition of a handful of properties, many once valued at multiple millions of dollars. Other residents have spent seven figures to move their homes away from threatened bluffs.

Vaccaro, who did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider, was well aware of the risk. He told the local newspaper, the Nantucket Current, that he lost more than $400,000 on the ordeal.

"The house may not last more than six months," Vaccaro told the Current when he purchased the home in July. "Inevitably, the ocean will win. The house is only temporary, everything in life is temporary."

Over the next 50 years, sea level rise, coastal flooding, and erosion are estimated to cause over $3.4 billion in cumulative damages to Nantucket, according to the island's 2021 Coastal Resilience Plan.

While there have been a number of firesales on particularly vulnerable properties, the island's larger real estate market has remained healthy. In 2024, the number of single-family homes sold on the island increased 11% year over year, according to data from local firm Fisher Real Estate. Since 2020, the number of homes sold on Nantucket for more than $10 million has increased 50% and the median home sale price reached an all-time high of $3.7 million.

"The concentration of wealth is quite stunning on Nantucket, and it keeps escalating," Bruce Percelay, a real estate developer and the publisher of the island's N Magazine, who has been vacationing on Nantucket for nearly all of his life, told BI last year. "To use a well-worn phrase, come hell or high water, people are still buying multimillion-dollar homes on Nantucket."

• Apple CEO Tim Cook said he plans to retire eventually but wants to keep working beyond traditional retirement age.
• Cook, 64, has led Apple since 2011. He said he strongly values intellectual stimulation and work.
• Cook has said he wants his successor at Apple to be an internal hire.

Apple CEO Tim Cook said he plans to retire eventually but doesn't think he'll stop working anytime soon.

Cook, who has led the tech giant since the death of founder and former CEO Steve Jobs in 2011, said in the "Table Manners" podcast with UK singer-songwriter Jessie Ware that he still wants the stimulation of work.

In the podcast, Ware's mother, Lennie Ware, asked Cook if he thought he would ever retire. Cook, 64, replied, "sure, but not the traditional definition of it."

He went on to say that he doesn't see himself "being at home doing nothing and not intellectually stimulated." Cook said he thinks he will always be "thinking about how tomorrow can be better than today."

"I think I'll always be wired in that way and want to work," Cook said. "I mean, I was working when I was 11 or 12."

Cook shared earlier in the podcast that he got his first job on a paper route at around 11 or 12 years old before graduating to "flipping burgers" at a local restaurant by the age of 14 or 15.

"My upbringing — a lot of it — was centered on work and the belief that hard work was essential for everybody, regardless of your age," Cook said.

Last month, Cook said in a Wired Q&A that he gets questions about his retirement from the CEO position "now more than I used to."

Apple has not made any statements about Cook's retirement. A Bloomberg report in May described company insiders as saying Cook's retirement was most likely at least three years away.

Apple did not immediately return a request for comment from Business Insider for this story.

The Bloomberg report listed several top executives' names as potential successors for Cook. John Ternus, a senior vice president of hardware engineering, and Jeff Williams, the company's chief operating officer, were thought to be frontrunners for the position.

Cook has also said he wants his successor to be an internal hire.

"I really want the person to come from within Apple," Cook told the pop star Dua Lipa on an episode of her podcast in November 2023.

"Food Wars" hosts Harry Kersh and Joe Avella travel across New Orleans to find the best seafood boil in the city. They'll be visiting three locations in one day to see what the city has to offer. This is "Food Tours."

• More than 400 Washington Post staffers are urging Jeff Bezos to meet with the paper's leaders.
• The letter says integrity and transparency issues have caused staff departures.
• The Post has faced subscriber losses and leadership scrutiny under CEO Will Lewis.

More than 400 Washington Post staffers sent a letter to the paper's owner, Jeff Bezos, asking him to intervene after a year of crises.

The letter asked Bezos, who has owned the paper since 2013, to come to the Post and meet with its leaders.

"We are deeply alarmed by recent leadership decisions that have led readers to question the integrity of this institution, broken with a tradition of transparency, and prompted some of our most distinguished colleagues to leave, with more departures imminent," the letter says. "This goes far beyond the issue of the presidential endorsement, which we recognize as the owner's prerogative. This is about retaining our competitive edge, restoring trust that has been lost, and reestablishing a relationship with leadership based on open communication."

One newsroom insider called it notable for its representation of nonunion as well as union signatories.

"It ratchets up the pressure," said this person, who, like some others, spoke on condition of anonymity to speak freely about internal matters. Their identity is known to Business Insider.

Since Bezos bought the paper, the Amazon executive chairman has had regular meetings with the business side but largely stayed out of the news coverage.

"From the very beginning, he told us he wouldn't be involved in any way in the newsroom, or be a hands-on owner," the Post insider said. "Our Amazon coverage has been aggressive, and he's never pushed back. I think the plea now is to get him involved now to establish some leadership in the newsroom."

The Post has been battered by a string of recent crises under Will Lewis, its publisher and CEO. NPR reported that the outlet lost a significant number of subscribers after announcing — just days before the US presidential election in November — that it wouldn't endorse a candidate. That decision broke with 40 years of tradition and after a Kamala Harris endorsement had been planned.

Bezos later explained the decision in an opinion column, saying many people believe the media is biased and presidential endorsements don't help.

A second Post insider, who is familiar with the subscription numbers, said the paper had won back at least 20% of the subscriptions it lost after the endorsement situation. They said nearly three-fourths of those people who canceled are still using the site while their subscriptions remain active.

Since the endorsement controversy, a number of high-profile newsroom figures have defected. They include a Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist, who quit after the paper declined to publish her cartoon that portrayed Bezos and other media and tech CEOs sucking up to a statue of President-elect Donald Trump.

A third Post insider described a nihilistic feeling at the company amid the talent exodus. They said they felt it would be hard for the paper to move forward under Bezos' ownership in a second Trump administration, given credibility issues with some left-leaning readers.

"A lot of really good institutions are going to have a really hard time in the Trump administration, from higher education to journalism," this person said. "And I think the Post, in part because of our own doing, is one of the first to have its walls shook really, really hard."

Lewis earlier faced scrutiny when he replaced the top editor, Sally Buzbee, last year, and then his choice of replacement backed out. He also faced questions over his actions during the aftermath of a UK phone-hacking scandal.

Not all Post staffers are in agreement with the petition. Another staffer, the sports columnist Sally Jenkins, said the Post's biggest problem is the underlying business challenges facing it and other legacy media.

"I think the Post is in the middle of trying to find solutions, and it takes a lot of time," she said. "Would I love it if Jeff Bezos came to the newsroom? Sure. I just think things are much more complicated than, 'Oh, things will be fine if Jeff Bezos comes in and talks to some editors.'"

Like many other news outlets, the paper has struggled on the revenue side. Last week, it began laying off 4% of staff on the business side, Reuters reported.

Here's the full text of the letter:

To Jeff Bezos:

You recently wrote that ensuring the long-term success and editorial independence of this newspaper is essential. We agree, and we believe you take as much pride in The Washington Post as we do.

We are deeply alarmed by recent leadership decisions that have led readers to question the integrity of this institution, broken with a tradition of transparency, and prompted some of our most distinguished colleagues to leave, with more departures imminent. This goes far beyond the issue of the presidential endorsement, which we recognize as the owner's prerogative. This is about retaining our competitive edge, restoring trust that has been lost, and reestablishing a relationship with leadership based on open communication.

We urge you to come to our office and meet with Post leaders, as you have in the past, about what has been happening at The Post. We understand the need for change, and we are eager to deliver the news in innovative ways. But we need a clear vision we can believe in.

We are committed to pursuing independent journalism that holds power to account and to reporting the news without fear or favor. That will never change. Nothing will shake our determination to follow the reporting wherever it leads.

As you wrote when you first became The Post's owner in 2013, "The values of The Post do not need changing." We urge you to stand with us in reaffirming those values.

Signed,

Staffers of The Washington Post

• TikTok users are reacting to a potential US ban by creating memes.
• The government has said the Chinese-owned app presents national security concerns.
• Users are turning to humor to cope with uncertainty about the platform's future.

It's a week of mourning for TikTok users, and they're using humor to make peace with the looming ban.

A slew of videos and photos have emerged as TikTokers make memes to say goodbye to the short-form video platform. A TikTok ban isn't certain, but users will find out the app's fate on Sunday — the deadline for its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to find a buyer in the US.

In true internet fashion, TikTokers are posting what could be their final jokes on the app. Some of them are hosting fake funerals for TikTok; others are bidding goodbye to their "Chinese spy," a reference to the US's concerns that the app represents a threat to national security.

Meanwhile, others are blaming Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg for trying to take away TikTok. Zuckerberg could win big if "TikTok refugees," as they call themselves, flocked to Meta's Instagram to watch short-form reels.

Some, like TikToker Santina Rizzi, aren't so sure Zuckerberg is "going to get" the top spot for short videos if a ban goes through. She said users would go to YouTube instead.

"I'll be touching grass before I return to anything Meta," a top comment said.

Still, users are finding ways to laugh instead of panicking about the potential shutdown.

Some said they're willing to move to another country to have access to TikTok, and others joked they're willing to learn Chinese to use an emerging platform called Xiaohongshu, also known as RedNote. The China-based app shot to the top of the Apple App Store this week as people sought an alternative to Instagram reels or YouTube shorts.

While some have found substitute apps to fill the void, others have pondered turning a new leaf in their social media usage and trying to regain some of their time and energy.

"I think I'm just going to finally read a book," one commenter said in response to a video from Sierra Boudreaux (@averagesisi).

"I'll probably actually start getting my 10k steps in," another added.

Over the years, TikTok has been the birthplace of iconic memes, phrases that have entered the cultural lexicon, or just a place for people to consume short-form content tailored to their interests.

Without TikTok, the world might have never learned slang terms like "unalive," "rizz," or "demure," which initially became popular on the platform.

But many users have also made peace with the potential dissolution of TikTok, and they're trying to enjoy the time they have left with the app — however long that may be.

This isn't the first time a beloved social media app has faced a big change. Twitter users mourned the platform as they knew it before it became X under Elon Musk's ownership. Like TikTok, users laughed and despaired over the fate of their go-to platform.

TikTok's future is yet to be determined, but users are going hard on the jokes in case it's their last chance to get one in.

And if all else fails, there's always the library.

• Martha Kilner, from London, was a teacher for 20 years.
• She ended up in hospital after a panic attack due to the increasing stress and workload.
• She became a virtual assistant in early 2024 and was fully booked within three weeks.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Martha Kilner. It has been edited for length and clarity.

I wanted to be a teacher ever since I did my psychology degree. I did my dissertation on dyslexia in children, which involved lots of visits to schools, and I felt really comfortable being in front of a class. So I became a teacher in 2002, at the age of 22.

For years, I gave it my heart and soul. The school felt like a family, and teaching was my purpose and calling. I got married in 2010 and had three children in three and a half years. I took maternity leave and returned to teaching full time in 2018.

I realized that I couldn't have a family and be a teacher, so I became a virtual assistant in 2024.

I had no life-work balance as a teacher

Almost as soon as I went back, I realized that it wasn't working anymore. It became clear that it wasn't family-friendly. I used to think teaching would be great when I had kids because of all the vacations you get. But I was leaving for work at 7 a.m. and not getting home until 6 p.m. a lot of the time, so I hardly saw my children. The workload was also never-ending.

I started having lots of health issues, which I attributed to teaching. I was having hair loss and heart palpitations, and I had a ticking in my ear. After sitting down for six hours straight during a parents' evening, I ended up with deep vein thrombosis. I just felt like I wasn't living my life anymore, and things came to a head in 2019 when, after a session with a student teacher, my heart started racing. My colleagues called an ambulance, and I was taken to the hospital; as it turned out, I'd had a panic attack.

But I didn't quit teaching then. I thought it was me, that it was because I had been out of teaching, that it was a new school, and I needed to get into the swing of things, and it would all be fine.

The school offered me a new job but I knew it was time to leave

Then 2020 came, and the Covid lockdowns happened. On my 40th birthday, the announcement came that schools were closed and teaching would go online. We had the Easter vacation to prepare, and I had never had much to do with Google Classroom. I taught third grade, so they weren't used to using computers regularly and accessing resources online. It was stressful at first, but I actually enjoyed meeting my class online in small groups while being at home and not spending so many hours at school.

During maternity leave, I learned to crochet as I found it relaxing, and it was during the pandemic that I thought I could turn it into a side hustle by creating online crochet tutorials. I couldn't quite make it profitable, but I had already decided I wasn't returning to in person teaching. My school offered me a role as their marketing and communications officer — a role I actually loved, managing the school's social media, PR, and newsletters. But it was a low-paid, entry-level job, which wasn't sustainable financially.

I became a virtual assistant

A friend then suggested becoming a virtual assistant (or VA). I found a website called "The VA Handbook" and a Facebook group called "The VA Handbookers" and learned everything I needed to know about becoming a VA. It was mainly about marketing myself because I already knew how to build websites and organize spreadsheets and calendars. From my crochet business experience, I knew getting clients would be the hardest part.

I posted on my personal social media that I was going to try being a VA. Someone I had previously worked with booked me for 30 hours a month there and then, as she had just set up her own marketing agency. That gave me the confidence to officially set up my VA business. I then put up a LinkedIn post about it. So many people who I'd worked with before vouched for me, and I was fully booked within three weeks.

I now have four VA clients who work from 10 hours a month to 60 hours a month. I do everything from inbox and calendar management to social media and websites, proofreading and editing documents, data entry, and customer support. I'm more of a business assistant, as there are so many different aspects of a business that I help with.

I'm more present for my kids

Life is so different now. I take my kids to school every day, and I go for a 6k walk afterward, either with a friend or listening to a podcast. On a Thursday, a friend comes to my house to work, and on Friday, my husband, who's a lawyer, works from home, so I still have work buddies.

I actually make more money, too, and work fewer hours. I can earn about $58,000 a year as a VA, working about 30 hours a week, while I was making about $54,000 a year in my last teaching role. I don't get company retirement payments anymore — I will have to pay into a retirement fund myself — and of course, I don't get the teacher vacation anymore. But weighing up the pros and cons, I still think I have a better deal now. My cholesterol and blood pressure are now normal.

• JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon was asked on an earnings call who would be likely to replace him.
• Dimon suggested there is a running list but that no final decision has been made.
• The comments follow the latest leadership reshuffle due to a top exec's retirement plans.

One of the biggest Wall Street storylines over the years has been around who will eventually take over as CEO of JPMorgan Chase — a role long held by Jamie Dimon.

Questions resurfaced this week when America's biggest bank by assets announced a series of management changes triggered by the pending retirement of Daniel Pinto, the firm's president and COO and longtime stand-in for Dimon in the case of an emergency.

The leadership reshuffle sparked fresh speculation about who might succeed Dimon, a topic that played out on the company's fourth-quarter earnings call on Wednesday.

"Jamie, who's your successor?," Wells Fargo's bank research analyst Mike Mayo asked on the call.

Dimon suggested there is a running list (including some people analysts like Mayo may not suspect) but that no final decision has been made. He declined to name names, however, except for Jenn Piepszak, co-CEO of JPMorgan's commercial and investment bank, who was tapped to replace Pinto as COO and who has said she doesn't want the CEO job.

"We have several exceptional people. You guys know most of them. Maybe one or two you don't know," Dimon told Mayo. "The board reviews and meets with them all the time. I think it's wonderful that Jenn Piepszak, who does not want to be the CEO, will be here as
chief operating officer and stay after that."

As Business Insider reported this week, Pinto is set to step down in June from his day-to-day role and fully retire at the end of 2026. Piepszak agreed to take on the role of COO vacated by Pinto but took her name out of the ring for CEO consideration.

"And obviously, we're not going to tell the press, but it's not determined yet," Dimon said. Even if there was a top pick, he said, things could change by the time he steps down as CEO.

"People get sick, they change their mind or family circumstances. So even if you thought you knew today, you couldn't be completely sure," he said.

Dimon made headlines last year when he said his time as JPMorgan's CEO was coming to a close. "The timetable is not five years anymore," he told investors, a reference to a running joke about how, when asked how long he might remain at the helm, he's often said five years.

On Wednesday, Dimon suggested that he still plans to retire as CEO, although not necessarily chairman, in four to five years.

"Now you're talking potentially four, five years or more," he said. "I'll be 69 in March. I think it's the rational thing to do."

"I've had a couple of health problems, you know," he added, referring to cardiac issues he'd undergone in recent years. In 2020, he underwent emergency heart surgery.

"If I'm here for several more years, I may or may not be chairman," he said, adding, "It's going to be up to the board."

• LinkedIn released its annual jobs on the rise report.
• The list ranked roles based on job growth rates using member data.
• Among the top 10 jobs were AI engineer and consultant, physical therapist, and travel advisor.

The US labor market ended 2024 on a high by adding 256,000 new jobs in December, as opposed to the 164,000 predicted.

The unemployment rate also fell to 4.1% in December from 4.2% in November.

While this hints at positive growth, economists have predicted that job seekers navigating the 2025 job market will still face challenges.

One way to keep up with an ever-changing job market is consistently upskilling, and LinkedIn's annual jobs on the rise report provides insights into the top 25 growing professions and the skills needed to take on these roles.

The roles were ranked based on job growth rates, which were determined by compiling job titles that saw the most growth on its website between January 1, 2022, and July 31, 2024.

The report also detailed the most common skills for those jobs, which were identified using top skills listed on LinkedIn profiles of people who'd held those job titles; the median years of prior work experience for the roles; and the top locations hiring, based on "the regions that employed the largest percentage of each job title from January 1, 2024 to October 31, 2024," according to the report.

Here are the 15 fastest-growing jobs in the US. The full list is available on LinkedIn.

15. Grants consultant

Many nonprofits and businesses require external assistance —  usually financial — to support their mission and work. Grant consultants identify the organization's needs, research different grant programs, and help secure funding by applying for the right opportunities.

According to the LinkedIn report, grant consultants must be skilled at grant writing, grant administration, and federal grants management.

Where the most jobs are: New York City, Washington, DC, Cleveland

Median years of prior experience: 4.4

14. Land agent

Imagine a developer who wants to build a wind farm but needs to lease land from several property owners in the area. A land agent steps in to make it happen.

They research who owns the land, negotiate fair lease agreements with the owners, and ensure all legal and regulatory requirements are met.

Those who have deep knowledge of land acquisition rules, can search titles, and negotiate contracts can excel in this role.

Where the most jobs are: Salt Lake City, Phoenix, Macon in Georgia

Median years of prior experience: 4.4

13. Treasury manager

Treasury managers are like an organization's air traffic controllers. They ensure a company's finances are secure by keeping tabs on all expenses, monitoring bank accounts, and predicting cash needs.

According to the report, job seekers must be skilled at cash management, cash flow forecasting, and financial analysis to excel at this role.

Where the most jobs are: New York City, Chicago, Dallas

Median years of prior experience: 6.4

12. Artificial intelligence researcher

In a fast-growing industry like AI, researchers are often the brains behind new developments and advancements in this technology — think quicker outputs, improved solutions, and the ability to differentiate between large data sets quickly.

Similar to AI engineers and consultants, those seeking a job as an AI researcher must be skilled at deep learning, large language models (LLM), and PyTorch.

Where the most jobs are: San Francisco, Boston, Seattle

Median years of prior experience: 3.2

11. Community planner

If a town wants to add a new park for its residents, a community planner would help navigate the process. They gather input from the community, study the area to find the perfect spot, and make sure the project aligns with zoning rules and budgets. Then, they team up with architects, engineers, and local officials to bring the vision to life.

Per the report, the skills needed for this role include urban planning, zoning, and community outreach.

Where the most jobs are: Washington, DC, Boston, Chicago

Median years of prior experience: 3.3

10. Security guard

Security guards protect property, assets, and people by maintaining a safe and secure environment. Their duties typically include monitoring premises, patrolling areas, overseeing access points, and responding to security breaches or emergencies.

Per the report, the skills most commonly needed for this role include security operations, surveillance, and customer service.

Where the most jobs are: New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco

Median years of prior experience: 2.2

9. Sustainability specialist

A sustainability specialist helps organizations become more responsible about their overall environmental footprint. They dig into operations, find ways to cut waste, save resources, and shrink carbon footprints. From crafting eco-friendly strategies to tracking progress, they're the go-to for making businesses cleaner, greener, and future-ready.

According to the report, those hoping to take on this role must be adept at sustainability reporting and understand corporate social responsibility and environmental policies.

Where the most jobs are: New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco

Median years of prior experience: 3

8. Outside sales representative

Outside sales representatives help companies sell their products or services by building a roster of clients, forging connections, and helping to achieve sales targets.

Those hoping to take on this role must be skilled at cold calling, account management, and sales operations.

Where the most jobs are: Houston, Dallas, Atlanta

Median years of prior experience: 4.3

7. Director of development

This senior leadership role, typically in nonprofit organizations, requires the individual to devise fundraising strategies and suggest proposals for donor engagement. They are crucial in ensuring the organization secures the resources it needs for maximum impact.

Those hoping to take on this role must be skilled at fundraising, grant writing, and community outreach.

Where the most jobs are: New York City, Los Angeles, Washington, DC

Median years of prior experience: 5.4

6. Event Coordinator

Event coordinators work behind the scenes in planning and executing various events, including corporate, PR, brand, or collection launches, weddings, and birthday parties. They also handle their clients' logistics, decor, vendor management, and budget allocation.

Those seeking a job in this industry must be skilled at event planning, social media marketing, and customer service.

Where the most jobs are: New York City, Los Angeles, Boston

Median years of prior experience: 2.8

5. Travel advisor

With the travel industry making a comeback post-COVID-19, there's also been a revival in travel advisor roles. As travelers seek curated and hassle-free journeys, travel advisors are important in ensuring stress-free and memorable trips.

They help vacationers plan every aspect of their trip, from accommodations and dining to must-see attractions. For clients unsure about where to go, travel advisors recommend destinations tailored to their interests, preferences, and budget. To succeed in this role, individuals must be skilled in travel planning, writing, and social media marketing, per the report.

Where the most jobs are: New York City, Los Angeles, Miami

Median years of prior experience: 4.7

4. Workforce development manager

In every industry, as innovations come along, employees have to upskill to stay on top of industry trends and meet organizational needs — this is where workforce development managers play a crucial role. They identify the company's needs and areas where employees require additional support, then devise training programs to address those gaps. Training programs usually include leadership workshops or skill-based courses.

The LinkedIn report says individuals must be skilled in program management and development, and community outreach to take on this role.

Where the most jobs are: Los Angeles, Columbus in Ohio, Seattle

Median years of prior experience: 5.1

3. Physical therapists

The role of a physical therapist has made leaps in the past year, moving from No. 13 to the third spot this year.

Typically, physical therapists assess, devise plans, and help patients suffering from mobility issues or those recovering from injuries. According to the report, those seeking a career in this domain must have the following skills and qualifications: orthopedic rehabilitation, patient care management, and occupational therapy.

Where the most jobs are: New York City, Boston, Chicago

Median years of prior experience: 3.6

2. Artificial intelligence consultant

AI consultants, which ranked eighth last year, took the second spot this year.

AI consultants advise organizations on how to best implement AI tools and technology within their existing workflow. The report recommends that those seeking to work in this role be skilled in LLM, prompt engineering, and Python.

Where the most jobs are: San Francisco, New York City, Washington, DC

Median years of prior experience: 4.5

1. Artificial intelligence engineer

Given the rapid rise of AI in workplaces and our daily lives, it's no surprise that artificial intelligence engineers, who were No. 10 on last year's report, have taken the top spot this year.

AI engineers "design, develop, implement," and train AI models to perform complex tasks, recognize patterns, and analyze large amounts of data. Per the report, the skills most commonly needed are large language processing, PyTorch, and natural language processing.

Where the most jobs are: San Francisco, New York City, Boston

Median years of prior experience: 3.6

• President-elect Donald Trump has 10 — soon to be 11 —grandchildren.
• They range in age from 5 to 17.
• His second-youngest child, Tiffany, announced her pregnancy in late 2024.

The Trump family is gearing up for the inauguration on Monday, eight years after Donald Trump took office for the first time in January 2017.

A lot has changed for the Trump family in the past eight years: Back then, Donald Trump's oldest son, Donald Jr., was still married to his now ex-wife, Vanessa, and the president had two fewer grandchildren.

Donald Trump has five children — Donald Jr., Ivanka, Eric, Tiffany, and Barron — and the three eldest each have multiple children of their own, while Tiffany Trump is set to give birth to her first child this year. Barron, who is just 18, started his freshman year of college in 2024.

Trump's eldest grandchild, Kai, is already stepping into the spotlight. She spoke at the 2024 Republican National Convention and frequently posts photos on Instagram with her grandfather — she even posted that Elon Musk had "uncle status" on X. It stands to reason that as the rest of his grandchildren grow up, they might become more publicly outspoken, as well.

Here's a guide to all 10 of Trump's grandchildren.

Kai Madison Trump

Kai is the oldest of President Trump's grandchildren at 17 years old. She's also the oldest child of Donald Trump Jr. and his ex-wife, Vanessa Trump. She was born in May 2007.

Donald Jr. and Vanessa, who were married from 2005 to 2018, have five children together.

Kai spoke onstage at the Republican National Convention last year, making her first foray onto the political stage.

She's also set to play college golf and verbally committed to playing at the University of Miami beginning in 2026, she shared on Instagram in August.

She thanked Donald Trump, who owns more than a dozen golf courses, in the post, writing, "I would like to thank my Grandpa for giving me access to great courses and tremendous support."

Donald John Trump III

After Kai came Donald J. Trump III, who was born in February 2009, making him 15. Donald Jr. posted a photo with all of his kids, including his 15-year-old son, on Thanksgiving.

He was also onstage at the RNC in 2024.

Tristan Milos Trump

Donald Jr. and Vanessa's third child, Tristan, was born in October 2011 and is now 13 years old.

Spencer Frederick Trump

Spencer is the fourth of Donald Jr.'s five children; he was born in October 2012 and is 12 years old.

His middle name comes from his great-great-grandfather and his great-grandfather, Frederick Trump and Frederick Trump Sr., respectively.

President Trump also had an older brother, Frederick Trump Jr., who died in 1981.

Chloe Sophia Trump

Chloe is the youngest child of President Trump's eldest child. She was born in June 2014, making her 10 years old.

Her dad posted a photo of her and her older brother Spencer fishing in December 2024 on Instagram.

Arabella Rose Kushner

President Trump's second child is Ivanka Trump, who married Jared Kushner in 2009. She gave birth to their first child, Arabella, in July 2011. She is now 13 years old.

Ivanka regularly shares photos of her kids on social media. In a July 2024 Instagram post about Arabella's birthday, Ivanka wrote that her daughter loves singing, playing the piano, riding horses, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

Joseph Frederick Kushner

Ivanka's second child, Joseph, was born in October 2013, making him 11 years old now.

According to Ivanka's Instagram, Joseph likes computers, dirt biking, and skateboarding.

Joseph and his cousin Spencer, who are 11 months apart, share the same middle name.

Theodore James Kushner

Ivanka's youngest child, Theodore, was born in March 2016. He is 8 years old, and loves football, parkour, poker, Rubik's cubes, and more, per his mom's Instagram.

Eric Luke Trump

Trump's third child, Eric, has been married to Lara Trump since 2014.

Their first child, Eric Luke (who goes by his middle name), was born in September 2017, making him 7 years old.

Luke has appeared at Trump rallies, like the September 2024 North Carolina rally pictured above, and appeared at the 2024 RNC with his sister.

Carolina Dorothy Trump

For now, 5-year-old Carolina is Trump's youngest grandchild. She was born to Eric and Lara in August 2019.

• Biden announced an additional $4.5 billion in student-debt cancellation for 261,000 borrowers.
• The relief impacts borrowers who attended Ashford University, which a court found engaged in fraudulent behavior.
• This is among Biden's last debt relief efforts before he leaves the White House.

More student-loan borrowers are getting debt relief during President Joe Biden's last week in the White House.

On Wednesday, Biden's Education Department announced that it approved an additional $4.5 billion in debt cancellation for 261,000 borrowers who attended the for-profit school Ashford University from March 1, 2009, to April 30, 2020.

This announcement is a result of a request for relief from the California Department of Justice, which investigated Ashford and found, along with evidence from the Education Department, that the school misled students about the costs of attending and the credentials they needed to pursue their desired careers.

The California Department of Justice hit Ashford with a $20 million penalty in 2022, and a federal court found the school guilty of fraudulent behavior that same year. Ashford appealed the ruling, and in 2024, an appeals court upheld the department's findings of wrongdoing.

"Numerous federal and state investigations have documented the deceptive recruiting tactics frequently used by Ashford University," Under Secretary of Education James Kvaal said in a statement. He added that "today's announcement will finally provide relief to many students who were harmed by Ashford's illegal actions."

The Education Department said it will email impacted borrowers notifying them of their relief in the coming days, and borrowers do not need to take any further action. Since this relief is a group discharge, it also includes borrowers who did not individually submit borrower defense to repayment applications, which are forms borrowers can submit for relief if they believe they were defrauded by the school they attended.

This relief expands on the Education Department's 2023 approval of a $72 million group discharge for 2,300 borrowers who attended Ashford, following the court decision from 2022. Ashford was acquired by the University of Arizona Global Campus in 2020.

This could likely mark Biden's last batch of student-loan forgiveness before he leaves office. On January 13, the Education Department announced $4.2 billion in debt cancellation for 152,000 borrowers, bringing the total student-debt relief under Biden to over $180 billion for 5.3 million borrowers.

The landscape for student-loan forgiveness is uncertain under President-elect Donald Trump, who has previously criticized broad debt relief and is unlikely to continue Biden's debt relief efforts.

• I spent two days in Toulouse, which Lonely Planet dubbed the top city to visit in 2025.
• Nicknamed the "Pink City," Toulouse is home to several universities and iconic sites.
• Despite its youthful vibrancy and affordable eats, it didn't have the sophisticated vibe I wanted.

My husband and I love exploring new cities, so when we were planning our recent trip across France and Spain, we knew Toulouse would be one of our stops.

Located in southern France near the Spanish border, it has long attracted tourists — and travel site Lonely Planet named it the top city to visit in 2025.

Toulouse is home to several universities and iconic sites, including the historic Dome de La Grave along the Garonne River. It's also been nicknamed the "Pink City" for its stunning rosy-colored terra-cotta architecture.

Although my husband loved our two days in Toulouse, something about it didn't fully click for me.

A lot of the city seemed to be oriented toward college students

I'm not a fancy-pants traveler, but I still like to incorporate some swankiness into my trips. Unfortunately, we didn't find many opportunities to sprinkle sophistication into our days in Toulouse.

As we were in a large French city, I expected to see a few more upmarket shops (other than Galeries Lafayette) and high-end restaurants mixed in with all the secondhand shops, bookstores, and casual eateries.

Instead, we found more businesses and affordable eateries that seemed geared toward local students. On the plus side, though, we saved money eating at the plentiful quick and tasty cafés, like El Amacen empanada bar.

In addition, Toulouse seemed to have a lively nightlife, which makes sense considering the many nearby universities.

It was a bit too much for me, especially since this meant we heard many loud people heading out of the bars late at night near our hotel.

We stayed in the middle of the city, so I wasn't expecting silence. In fact, I enjoy hearing the sounds of a city in the evening. However, at a certain point — say, after 11 p.m. — I appreciate some quiet.

My husband and I wanted to keep our hotel window open to get some fresh air as we slept, but the late-night revelers made that a less-appealing option.

The traffic and roads were difficult for us to navigate

I'm happy we had the experience of driving across France, but doing so was particularly stressful in Toulouse.

As with most major cities, traffic here felt intimidating — especially since Toulouse has numerous narrow one-way streets.

Upon arrival at our hotel, we had to circle the roads several times before we could eventually pull over to the valet, as numerous vehicles were double-parked, and we didn't want to block traffic.

Thankfully, Toulouse is a very walkable city, and we mostly managed to get around on foot to take in the sights and visit friends. Next time we're in France with a car, though, we'll head elsewhere.

Overall, I wasn't blown away by Toulouse — but maybe younger travelers would be

We enjoyed Toulouse's rosy architecture, museums, and charming views from the banks of the Garonne River, but it just didn't have that certain je ne sais quoi I've felt in other large French cities like Paris or Bordeaux.

In many ways, Toulouse felt like a college town, probably because it kind of is one, with its multiple universities and sizable student population (tens of thousands!).

I wished it had felt more expansive, sophisticated, and buzzing with excitement — though preferably not loudly and late into the night.

Although I understand why many love the city, I feel like I would've liked it more when I was in my early 20s. I'm in my 40s now.

To be fair, we were in Toulouse for less than 48 hours and stayed within the city center, so I realize that doesn't give me the most comprehensive perspective.

Still, first impressions are important. I'm glad we went, but I left feeling like one visit was enough.

• Decisions, decisions.
• Some billionaires and CEOs are deciding whether to attend Donald Trump's inauguration or catch the first day of Davos.
• Attending Trump's inauguration could mean scoring face time with the new President and his administration.

It's a scheduling conflict most of us will never know.

Some of the world's wealthiest and most powerful people are staring down a decision as the first major events of the billionaire social calendar this year overlap.

President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration on January 20 coincides with the first day of Davos, an annual gathering of the world's business and politics elite in Davos, Switzerland, held by the World Economic Forum.

Those invited to both must now decide: Do they miss potential face time with the incoming president and members of his inner circle, or skip a day of networking with political leaders and business titans from around the globe?

Trump's swearing-in begins at noon ET on Monday.

The first item on the agenda at Davos, titled "First Impressions: Inauguration Day," starts at 3 p.m. local time Monday. (Davos is six hours ahead of Washington, DC.) Later on Monday, an awards ceremony begins at 6 p.m. Davos time, followed by an open forum and an opening concert, both at 6:30 p.m. Given the time difference, you couldn't possibly attend both Trump's inauguration and Davos Day 1 in person — even with a private jet.

A slew of major US companies or their execs made $1 million donations to Trump's inauguration fund, including Meta, Amazon, Google, OpenAI, and Uber.

Attending the inauguration in addition to making a donation could be a savvy business move. Trump was a vocal critic of Big Tech in his first term, so those firms and their execs could benefit from maneuvering to be in his good graces when he retakes the Oval Office.

Big donations to presidential inauguration funds typically come with exclusive perks, like seats for the inaugural address or entry to black-tie balls or other events.

Donors who gave $1 million towards the fund were supposed to receive six tickets apiece to six different events, including Trump's swearing-in and a January 19 "candlelight dinner" with Trump and his wife, Melania, The New York Times reported, citing documents on the matter. Some big donors, however, may no longer receive VIP tickets as some events have already reached capacity, according to the report.

While it will be come more clear who opted for a trip to D.C. on Monday, there are some CEOs that seem likely to attend Trump's inauguration.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has been frequently spotted by Trump's side since the election and has lambasted Davos in the past.

Screenshots of invitations for a black-tie reception Monday night co-hosted by Mark Zuckerberg also circulated on social media this week. According to the circulating invite, Zuck will be co-hosting the event alongside Miriam Adelson, the billionaire widow of casino magnate Sheldon Adelson; Tilman Fertitta, Trump's pick for US ambassador to Italy; and Chicago Cubs owner Todd Ricketts and his wife, Sylvie Légère.

For those who choose to attend the inauguration, they'll still be able to catch much of Davos. The annual event concludes on January 24.

• I tried five different ways to add protein to my coffee to see if I could find a new go-to.
• Adding protein to your caffeine source can help prevent energy crashes.
• Although I still like whey protein powder, collagen is my new favorite protein booster.

My morning brew is sacred. However, I know drinking it first thing on an empty stomach isn't great.

Luckily, my social-media feeds have been full of "proffee" (protein coffee) recipes lately, and it turns out the internet trend actually has some merit.

"Consuming protein along with coffee can help to stabilize blood-sugar levels," registered dietitian Bianca Coats told Business Insider. "Protein will help to slow down the absorption of simple carbohydrates and caffeine into the bloodstream and reduce the likelihood of a crash."

According to nutrition coach Adrianne M. Ortiz, we should be getting about 20 to 30 grams of protein within the first half an hour of waking up.

I knew I wanted to find a go-to way to add protein to my morning cup of Joe, so I tested five different ingredients to see which one was best.

Here's how they stacked up.

Flavored protein powder was an easy place to start.

I've used vanilla protein powder to sweeten and add protein to my coffee before, so I knew what to expect with this one. Although I've tried plant-based options, I usually go for whey because I think it blends more easily into liquids.

For this recipe, I used 8 ounces of freshly brewed espresso, a serving of Nutrisystem's Prosync sweet vanilla shake mix (15 grams of protein), ice, and a splash of maple syrup.

I really enjoyed how it tasted, and using a simple flavor like vanilla or chocolate will allow me to change up the recipe when I want to. Unfortunately, the powder did become a little gritty after a couple of minutes.

PB2 is a nice option for a low-sugar protein boost.

I've had some incredible Reese's-inspired lattes and love adding peanut butter to coffee-flavored protein shakes, so I was excited to try adding PB2 (a powdered peanut-butter alternative) to my coffee.

It notably has less fat and fewer calories than the spread. A 2-tablespoon serving of peanut butter has 190 calories, but the same serving of PB2 only has 45.

I brewed two espresso shots and added a serving of PB2, some 2% milk, and honey to taste.

If I were to recreate it, I'd use chocolate milk or add chocolate syrup — this recipe definitely needed more sweetener for my tastes.

Egg whites make for a fluffier protein option.

Egg whites were probably the most intimidating protein-boost option.

I whipped ¼ cup of egg whites (3.6 grams of protein) and used them as a base for ¼ cup of espresso and a splash of maple-flavored oat-milk creamer.

I don't think I whipped my egg whites correctly — they weren't quite as fluffy as they should've been — which made the whole experience a little less pleasant.

But I loved the flavor of this drink, so I'd definitely try it again using a stand mixer or high-speed blender to get really fluffy whites.

Cottage cheese didn't work out so well for me.

I probably wouldn't have thought of it myself, but cottage cheese can be a great protein addition to coffee. I blended a ¼-cup serving of low-fat cottage cheese with a cup of caramel-flavored coffee and a dash of oat milk.

The drink tasted good, but the cottage cheese separated pretty quickly, which was a little unpleasant.

I probably won't use it in regular coffee again, but I'm open to adding a serving of cottage cheese to protein shakes or frozen, blended coffee beverages.

Collagen has the benefit of being unflavored.

Collagen is naturally found in animals, including humans. But according to Ortiz, our collagen levels tend to diminish after 30.

Powdered collagen peptides typically have about 18 grams of protein per serving and are often flavorless. However, it's important to note that collagen isn't a complete protein source because it doesn't contain all the essential amino acids our body needs. It's best to pair it with other foods and complete protein sources throughout the day.

I added two scoops of Vital Proteins unflavored collagen peptides to 6 ounces of caramel-flavored coffee and topped it off with some maple-flavored oat-milk creamer.

I used a frother to whip everything together, which gave the drink a beautiful ombré effect. Plus, I didn't notice the collagen at all as I enjoyed the cup.

Everyone will have their preferences, but I loved the collagen coffee.

I don't think it's essential to add protein to your coffee — although it's smart to pair your regular cup with a balanced snack or meal to avoid a crash. But I had fun trying the different add-ins.

Collagen powder is my new favorite way to add protein to my morning coffee because it doesn't impact the flavor or drinking experience at all.

I'll keep using scoops of chocolate or vanilla whey protein powder when I want a sweeter cup of Joe, and I'm excited to try most of these recipes again with a few tweaks.

This story was originally published on July 23, 2024, and most recently updated on January 15, 2025.

• JPMorgan Chase and Goldman Sachs had blockbuster performance numbers for the end of 2024.
• JPMorgan's profit rose 50%; Goldman's profit jumped 105%, led by higher investment-banking fees.
• Here's what it could mean for hiring across Wall Street in 2025.

Big banks posted blowout fourth-quarter earnings on Wednesday, led by a growing appetite for corporate financing, institutional trading, and dealmaking —  trends that could boost hiring in 2025.

JPMorgan Chase kicked off Wall Street's earnings season by reporting a 50% increase in profits, led by a 49% increase in investment-banking revenue over last year's fourth quarter, and double-digit growth in trading revenue. Goldman Sachs, meanwhile, said profit for the three months that ended on December 31 rose 105%, driven by demand for corporate dealmaking and capital raising. And Citigroup showed a 35% increase in investment-banking revenue for the fourth quarter from a year ago.

The robust results follow several years of sagging demand for Wall Street's bread-and-butter businesses, layoffs, lower bonuses, and an overall muted environment for job hopping.

Now, the strong 2024 performances, particularly in trading, mean that annual bonuses could be as much as 35% higher from a year ago. Banks have started to share the bonus numbers with employees, as Business Insider reported last week.

More broadly, Wall Street headhunters say that hiring has been picking up in select areas in recent months, including junior-banking roles and back-office tech jobs. They expect the shift to continue in 2025.

"The 45% surge in Goldman's profits and CEO David Solomon's bullish outlook on M&A signals a notable shift in the hiring market," said Meridith Dennes, managing partner at Prospect Rock Partners recruiting firm. "Banks that aggressively downsized during the 2022 to 2023 slowdown are now selectively rebuilding their deal teams."

Of course, working on Wall Street could also get harder in 2025. The industry's notoriously long hours could intensify as demand for dealmaking and capital raising continues. At the same time, work-from-home options are shrinking, with JPMorgan last week telling employees on a hybrid schedule to return to the office five days a week starting in March.

Here are 4 trends in financial-industry hiring that could spur Wall Street job growth in 2025:

Dealmakers

Following several years of muted dealmaking, demand for mergers and acquisitions has been picking up in recent months, driven by lower borrowing costs as interest rates decline. The M&A streak is expected to continue in 2025, aided by a more business-friendly regulatory regime under President-elect Donald Trump.

The uptick is already having an effect on hiring. As BI recently reported, John Weinberg, the chairman and CEO of the elite boutique investment bank Evercore, said in December that he's been spending an unusual amount of time on year-end hiring.

"Most of the time, you don't really do much recruiting in November or December," he said at a Goldman Sachs conference in New York. "If you could see my schedule, you'd see that virtually every day I am speaking with and recruiting" new talent, he said.

As for the jobs outlook, he said: "You could probably anticipate that our recruiting efforts will increase, not decrease."

Recruiters in December told BI that they have seen surging demand for M&A bankers in industries viewed as hot for deals, including tech, healthcare, restructuring, industrials, consumer retail, and financial institutions — a trend they expect to continue this year.

Junior bankers

Demand for junior investment-banking talent has also been picking up. Dennes, the headhunter, said that she is seeing especially strong demand for what she referred to as "the seasoned associate," but also at the vice-president level, who tend to sit in the middle of the investment-banking pecking order.

As BI reported in October, JPMorgan Chase ramped up off-cycle hiring for junior investment bankers late last year, according to people familiar with the bank's recruitment efforts and to its online jobs board. At the time of the report, a JPMorgan executive told BI that the bank was hiring across all levels of investment banking amid a bump in deal flow.

Whether the JPMorgan hiring boost will continue in 2025, however, remains to be seen. On Wednesday, the bank's chief financial officer, Jeremy Barnum, told investors that JPMorgan intends to keep headcount flat this year, following a 2% rise in staffing in 2024. That included a 3% rise in its asset- and wealth-management unit, according to company filings.

Goldman Sachs' careers portal, meanwhile, displays 15 open job listings for junior bankers in New York, London, and San Francisco, namely at the analyst and associate levels. In January, one open role called for an associate to cover deals for financial institutions and asset-management clients, while another sought an IB associate to focus on the entertainment sector. A third associate position was focused on executing general mergers and acquisitions.

IT jobs

Headhunters have said that an array of financial-services firms, from banks to hedge funds, are expected to boost tech hiring as they explore and build new artificial intelligence capabilities.

In July, JPMorgan's CEO, Jamie Dimon, said he expects to add thousands of AI-related jobs in the next few years. Hedge funds and proprietary-trading firms have also been getting into the act, shelling out big bucks, as much as $350,000 in annual salaries, to snag coveted AI researchers and engineers.

Some private-equity firms, meanwhile, have been paying up to $2 million, including base salary and bonus, for so-called AI operating executives, recruiters told BI last year.

See BI's top tips for landing a Wall Street tech job in 2025.

Private credit and financing

So-called private credit has been on a roll in recent years as more asset managers, like Apollo and Blackstone, pick up lending that banks increasingly deem too risky for their balance sheets.

Plus, there are signs that demand for nonbank loans will only intensify in 2025, as demand for corporate capital raising increases, including for M&A.

On Monday, Goldman Sachs announced a new structure to capitalize on growing demand for financing. Its new Capital Solutions Group is geared to provide alternative sources of lending to corporate clients as well as financial sponsors.

Earlier this month, Bloomberg reported that hedge fund Point72 hired Todd Hirsch, a former Blackstone senior managing director, to build out its new private-credit business.

Goldman on Wednesday reported record results in fixed-income and equities financing, which includes capital raising on behalf of clients. Goldman's CEO referred to financing a "large strategic opportunity" for the bank, thanks to what he described as "important structural trends currently taking place in finance" including the emergence of private credit.

See BI's top do's and don'ts for landing a job in the burgeoning private-credit industry.

• Israel and Hamas have reached an agreement on a cease-fire deal meant to halt 15 months of fighting.
• The White House confirmed Wednesday that there's an agreement in place.
• Hamas and other militant groups kidnapped over 250 people in Israel on October 7, 2023.

After more than 15 months of catastrophic fighting with tens of thousands dead, Israel and Hamas have reached an agreement on a cease-fire, the White House announced Wednesday.

The agreement, a major breakthrough in the Middle East, is meant to halt the bloodshed and facilitate the release of some of the remaining hostages.

"At long last, I can announce a cease-fire and a hostage deal has been reached between Israel and Hamas," President Joe Biden said Wednesday afternoon.

In a written statement, he said the deal would stop the fighting in Gaza, surge much-needed humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians, and reunite hostages with their families.

On October 7, 2023, as part of a Hamas-led terror attack against Israel, Hamas and other militants kidnapped 251 people from Israel. About 1,200 were killed across the country.

Hamas and its allies still hold 98 hostages, an Israeli government spokesperson said Tuesday, though at least 34 of them are thought to have died in captivity.

The deal, which Israel has yet to formally approve, is set to include multiple phases. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said: "Several items in the framework have yet to be finalized; we hope that the details will be finalized tonight."

The first stage of the agreement is expected to include 33 hostages — most of whom are alive — released on "humanitarian" grounds, the Israeli spokesperson told reporters at a briefing. This will consist of women, children, older people, and hostages who are sick.

When asked how many Palestinian prisoners Israel was willing to release in exchange, the spokesperson said that the country "is prepared to pay a heavy price, in the hundreds."

The Israeli military confirmed that it's preparing for the return of the hostages. Qatar's prime minister said the deal would go into effect on Sunday.

Biden, flanked by Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, told reporters that the first phase of the deal included a full cease-fire. It's expected to last six weeks and includes the withdrawal of Israeli forces from all the populated areas of Gaza.

A second phase, which is still being worked out, would see a "permanent end" to the war, Biden said. The president added that this phase would include the release of the remainder of the living hostages, with the rest of the Israeli forces withdrawing from Gaza.

In the third phase, any remains of hostages who have been killed would be returned to their families, and a major reconstruction plan would be set in motion for Gaza.

To date, 117 hostages have been returned alive to Israel, including 105 freed as part of a prisoner exchange in November 2023.

The cease-fire deal intends to halt the conflict, which has seen large areas of Gaza destroyed and left the militant group battered. The Hamas-run health ministry says Israel's military offensive in Gaza has killed more than 46,000 people.

Negotiations for a cease-fire deal have been ongoing for many months, but news that Israel and Hamas were close to reaching an agreement emerged earlier this week, hinting that, at last, there could be movement.

The deal comes in the final days of the Biden administration, which had been closely involved in negotiations to get a framework approved.

President-elect Donald Trump said his victory in November directly contributed to the deal coming to fruition. "We have achieved so much without even being in the White House," he wrote in a post on his Truth Social platform.

• James Watt, the cofounder of the beer company BrewDog, has criticized the UK's work culture.
• Watt said the UK was "one of world's least work-oriented countries."
• Watt stepped down as BrewDog CEO in 2024.

James Watt, the cofounder of the beer company BrewDog, said the UK was "one of the world's least work-oriented countries" as he criticized the idea of "work-life balance."

Appearing in an Instagram video alongside his fiancée, Georgia Toffolo, Watt initially said he believed "the whole concept of work-life balance was invented by people who hate the work that they do."

Watt said he and Toffolo instead believed in "work-life integration."

Watt received pushback over the post and later deleted it from Instagram, saying "the comments crossed the line from debate to personal abuse." However, he later reposted it with additional context.

In the new post, Watt made it clear that his content was "aimed at founders, entrepreneurs, and people who want to push their careers forward," adding that "most successful leaders I know don't separate work from life."

In a LinkedIn post, Watt then suggested the pushback may be linked to what he described as the UK's comparatively low work ethic.

"As a nation, we love to joke about the French being lazy, but the reality is that our output per hour is 13% lower than theirs," he wrote. "I've heard countless international leaders say that the UK's work ethic just doesn't stack up against other nations, especially the US."

He then went on to cite a 2023 study by the Policy Institute at King's College London that found the UK public ranked among the lowest internationally for the importance placed on work.

The study, which looked at 24 nations, including Italy, France, and Russia, found that British people were the least likely to say work was important in their lives and among the least likely to say that work should always come first.

"This isn't to say nobody in the UK works hard—I know that millions of you do and are relentlessly grafting every day," Watt added.

BrewDog was founded in 2007 in Scotland and soon found success as it shook up the craft beer scene with its bold, controversial marketing and its signature Punk IPA.

The company has since built a network of bars and breweries around the world. Its Columbus, Ohio site features a taproom, hotel, and brewery.

Watt stepped down as CEO of the company in 2024, after 17 years at the helm. His departure followed a number of controversies over the company's alleged treatment of staff.

In 2021, dozens of former employees wrote an open letter accusing the company and Watt of creating a "culture of fear" in which staff were treated "like objects."

Watt later apologized to the former employees, saying the company had "always tried to do the best by our team."

"But the tweet we saw last night proves that on many occasions we haven't got it right. We are committed to doing better, not just as a reaction to this, but always; and we are going to reach out to our entire team past and present to learn more. But most of all, right now, we are sorry," he added.

In January 2024, BrewDog also faced fallout after it emerged it would no longer hire new staff on the real living wage, instead paying the lower legal minimum wage.

• Viral imitations of Hermès' Birkin bag have boosted awareness of Walmart's e-commerce marketplace.
• The positive attention is a tailwind as Walmart aims to take on Amazon's online dominance.
• Dupes like the so-called "Wirkin" can also pose a challenge for the retailer's brand relationships.

For all of the fanfare they received last month, the internet-famous dupes of the ultra-luxe Birkin handbags have been disappearing from Walmart's e-commerce marketplace.

Walmart itself has been fairly quiet about the trend.

"In some instances, products may no longer be available," a Walmart spokesperson told Business Insider, declining to comment on the items specifically. The spokesperson added that the company encourages shoppers to explore its website for "exciting alternatives."

The frenzy around these imitation luxury accessories, available for a fraction of the price of the designer versions, highlights how such an increase in attention can be a somewhat mixed bag for online platforms like Walmart. An imitation bag going viral on TikTok can bring publicity to an online marketplace while also posing legal and reputational risks for brand owners.

"The Birkin dupes on Walmart's site have attracted such attention because of the juxtaposition of a very price-focused brand and a very aspirational product," GlobalData retail analyst Neil Saunders told BI. "It underlines how much its marketplace has evolved over recent years. Walmart has been actively expanding the offer to attract more consumers, especially younger and more affluent ones."

Walmart executives have touted the massive assortment of products available via third-party sellers in its online marketplace, which launched in 2009. Last quarter, CEO Doug McMillon said the SKU count is approaching 700 million items — a figure that dwarfs the 120,000 SKUs typically carried in a Walmart Supercenter.

McMillon has spoken at length about how important a huge selection of products is for Walmart to become the first place shoppers think of when they need anything from a dozen eggs sold by Walmart to a pair of sneakers from a third-party seller.

"When somebody thinks about buying anything and they want to go search or they want to go find a specific item, we want to be in that consideration set and that requires 1P and 3P," he said in a September 2023 earnings call, referring to first-party and third-party goods.

Amazon largely achieved this place in American consumers' minds by offering more than 600 million products on its site, of which 588 million are sold by third-party vendors, according to Capital One.

But what happens when sellers offer — and shoppers want — products that might infringe on another company's intellectual property rights?

Neither Walmart nor Hermès have said publicly whether an official complaint was filed, but McMillon has often said the company prizes its brand partnerships and wants to keep suppliers happy.

A Walmart employee who works in the Marketplace division told BI the company takes a cautious approach with potentially risky listings.

"We sure block a lot of stuff I could just get on Amazon," he said.

While many of the listings for the imitation Birkin bags are no longer available on Walmart's website, similar bags were available on Amazon as of Wednesday morning.

One third-party seller on Amazon was offering a $100 "Wirkin welmes" leather handbag, using keywords that were popularized in reference to the delisted dupes on Walmart.com. The listing was taken down after BI contacted Amazon for comment.

Amazon told BI it automatically scans every product listing for potential IP infringement, and said there is a difference between IP-infringing products and products that otherwise resemble brand-name products. The company also said several bags have been removed for violating marketplace policies, including the listing mentioned above.

Balancing new customer awareness with protecting brands could help explain Walmart's relatively low-key handling of the Wirkin trend publicly. However, this likely won't be the last time the company will have to thread this needle.

The Walmart employee said the Marketplace team regularly writes new rules to address new situations, and that AI image recognition is increasingly being trained to flag listings for review by human staffers.

Opening the marketplace to an ever-larger number of sellers means there will be no shortage of listings that will go on to be deleted. Those future listings will likely come and go with less attention as more people realize Walmart's offering goes well beyond its physical stores.

If anything, the kerfuffle over the Wirkin shows that Walmart's marketplace ambitions have reached a key milestone, attracting a level of viral attention in league with existing titans like Amazon and eBay.