For someone with millions of followers across his social platforms, content creator Nick Cassano, aka Nicky Cass, is surprisingly low-key. Although he played baseball throughout childhood and in college (graduating from Montclair State University in New Jersey with a marketing degree), he never dreamed he’d throw out the first pitch for the Yankees and the Mets, let alone chill in his backyard with the Stanley Cup. Those are just a few of the perks that come with being the founder of Nicky Cass Media and filming videos that bring in thousands — sometimes millions — of views.
The amateur chef (who is currently perfecting his lobster bisque) believes the secret to his success is authenticity. “What you see is what you get with me, which is rare nowadays — especially on social media,” Cassano tells Alexa. “There aren’t trophies in business like there are in sports, so I believe you should reward your own successes and commemorate milestones.” Translation: Treat yo’ self! At 24, the comedic influencer is a self-professed “old soul,” who chooses quality and craftsmanship over the latest trends. Check out his splurges — from the watch on his wrist to his favorite ride.
“I have been working with Rhoback for a long time. The company used to just do polos, but now they have added other forms of apparel that you can workout or lounge in, like these joggers. They’re awesome.”
“I never in a million years imagined being lucky enough to get one of these, but when I hit a business milestone, I wanted to remember that moment forever. What better way to mark your success than with a Rolex? Plus, the way they fit on your wrist is just magical.”
“The suede on these is so soft and they come in unique colors, which I appreciate. Being of Italian heritage, I know the work that goes into Italian-made shoes. The craftsmanship is heirloom quality. If I have kids, I will pass these down to them.”
“I’m big on scent. This cologne stands out in a crowd.”
“This book changed my life. That sounds dramatic, but it’s true. I read it in college and am rereading it now. It taught me that it’s better to seek to understand than to be understood. Society would be a better place if we all did that.”
“Cadillac is a classic brand that stands the test of time. The Lyriq is the perfect [all-electric] SUV: a luxurious, smooth ride. And I love that when the car goes into low speeds, it emits a noise — which I’ve been told is the sound the sun makes. They actually got the recording from NASA. How cool is that?”
“The Grill is in Midtown [Manhattan], but you feel like you are dining at the White House. My good friend Mario Carbone owns it and the salmon lox that are cured in-house, the pasta with meat ragu and the prime rib are all off the freakin’ charts.”
“In baseball, I learned you should always take good care of your equipment. I feel that way about my pens, too. I just ordered a bunch of journals to write down my next big ideas in, and I’ll be jotting them down with this pen.”
“I listen to this album on repeat. I don’t know what he’s saying, but it’s beautiful, and it puts me in the right mindset to do my work and interact with people.”
“Warby Parker glasses look good and they last a long time. I also like that they have blue-light filtering options because I tend to look at a screen most of the day.”