Automated cry for help Bartesian is moving to new offices in Fulton Market, with room for five times the people. The “Keurig for Cocktails” has been understandably popular throughout the pandemic, but we can’t help thinking there’s something depressingly uncanny about it. Maybe there’s an opportunity to partner with Talkspace and get some virtual therapy from your virtual bartender.
Bartesian plans to hire about 35 people over the next year or two, for which it got a nice little tax credit after threatening to move to Waterford, Wisconsin. Yes, no doubt a village outside Milwaukee would be just as high visibility as Fulton Market.
Motorola Solutions, meanwhile, is trying to wriggle out of some of its office space, putting 54,000 square feet across two of its seven floors up for sublease. Where we would once have read that as a sign of trouble, we’re now more worried about companies expanding into new office space. Shrinking seems like the smarter move.
With supply chain fears fresh on their minds, the big money seems especially interested in American manufacturers — which is rarely good news for the people working in American manufacturing. Take auto parts maker Tenneco, which is going private in a $1.6 billion sale to Apollo Global Management. The Lake Forest-based company was basically battered into the deal by activist shareholders, and the general coverage has been about how folks with ownership stakes will benefit.
Electric truck maker Rivian, which has its biggest plant in Normal, is theoretically spreading the wealth (or the risk). Several pension funds — and George Soros — are buying up the company’s stock, which is down 43% so far this year. It is February.
If a car isn’t on the gift list, consider diamonds. Gurnee-based AKHAN, just raised $20 million to expand its capacity to make superstrong diamond-impregnated glass. Just as important in an airplane windshield as it is in your constantly dropped phone.
Jobs, Glorious Jobs
Technology Strategy Senior Manager at Allstate
A solid landing for any MBA-types among you. We appreciate a job description that kicks off with “Think that tech strategy in the insurance field can’t be exciting, rewarding and challenging?” A note: When trying to lure people in, make sure your question can’t be answered with a simple yes or no.
Senior Digital Content Strategist at Morningstar
Help the demand gen team bring in new business with useful, search optimized content. The job is specifically looking for someone who can “nerd out” about SEO, which, sad to say, is generally anyone who can talk about SEO without rolling their eyes, ourselves included.
Inspiration of the week
“I don’t think being mentally healthy means feeling good and happy all the time. It’s being able to feel that balance of anger and sadness and happiness, and to hold all of those things.”
—Podcast journalist Stephanie Foo reminds us all that meltdowns are part of mental health, sort of. Foo recently wrote a book about her diagnosis of complex PTSD, and this interview is full of nourishing little truths that only come after years of therapy. Like the reality that many (most?) things are out of our control, but “we do have some agency, and the healing process gives us more agency.” A useful read after a tough week.
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