Meredith's birthday celebration, the escape room, the fart, Drew is here and he brought treats!, Halloween in Mexico, England and Ireland, Drew's new amazing job, the original Karen?, Drew has some bad jokes for us, the human brain remembers everything, Meredith still doesn't know movies, the process of feeding the world, food waste, our favorite Halloween traditions All the links: https://linktr.ee/theclopeneffect Support us here to keep us recording: https://the-clopen-effect.captivate.fm/supp...
Oct 21, 2022•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 86
So much candy! We share the most popular Halloween candy in every state, 31 of the best Halloween candy for 2022, customers that want a 40 pound bag of candy for the price of a 5 pound bag and the customer service return bin during Halloween Information borrowed from thrilllist.com and thekrazycouponlady.com
Oct 07, 2022•56 min•Ep. 85
First, sending our love to all those impacted by the Florida hurricane. Second, It's spooky season - Abandon places and fast food restaurant murders! The Titanic has to be the most talked about abandoned ship, The Chicken Church, Pripyat was the city most affected by the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in 1986, The Dome Homes, City Methodist Church, Ponyhenge, Łapalice Castle, Beelitz-Heilstätten Hospital, Canfranc International Railway Station, Kennecott, Power Plant IM - Charleroi, Brown's Chicken ...
Sep 30, 2022•48 min•Ep. 84
Celebrating over 10,000 listeners this week! Also, a very small percent of people are successful in MLM businesses but that small percent seem to love it! Meredith loves to buy from her friends, she tried selling perfume once, and Cass is not really a fan of MLMs. Information borrowed: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_multi-level_marketing_companies and all business.com Support us here: https://account.venmo.com/u/theclopeneffect
Sep 23, 2022•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 83
Katie, owner of Kit and Caboodle Market is here! We talk about her past life as a probation officer and a counselor, her current life working at MBI HR and her successful gifting business! She hosts the Crafts and Cocktails Maker's Market show and really appreciates good organic wine. Please visit her website here: https://kitandcaboodlemarket.com
Sep 16, 2022•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 82
Phone Interview! We talked with Dana Goldstein on her third memoir 'Spent - My Accidental Career in Retail'. Dana is an amazing storyteller and understands the retail world. Please click the link to buy her book or listen on audible! Dana's website: http://danagoldstein.ca/books/
Sep 09, 2022•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 81
Happy 80th episode to us! We were so fortunate to sit down and talk with Matt Nelson from Left at the Light Podcast! We talk all about Matt, the podcast, McHenry County Living, Truck Off Festival, rate all those creative business names out there, Meredith can't say Oregon and Cass has a great Johnny story. Left at the Light: https://anchor.fm/leftatthelightpod Truck Off Festival: https://www.truckoff.net 22 Creative restaurant names: https://upserve.com/restaurant-insider/creative-restaurant-nam...
Sep 02, 2022•53 min•Ep. 80
We talk through all the sayings we use while driving to the city and we discuss the ~100 best jobs in the US borrowed from: https://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/rankings/the-100-best-jobs - Degrees needed, salary, and how many jobs are available for each specific role
Aug 26, 2022•1 hr•Ep. 79
We discuss the worst jobs in the world! Maybe you'll feel better about your career or maybe not. Information borrowed from: https://allthatsinteresting.com/worlds-worst-jobs/3 & https://www.careeraddict.com/worst-jobs
Aug 19, 2022•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 78
Summer is over - School is starting! Remember back-to-school shopping and all the fun things you'd buy? We talk about the weirdest requests from teachers and the worst gifts to give! AND Coming soon! •Live event at @poppycakeslg 8/20/22 •Collab with @twochickstalkinflicks •Collab with @leftatthelightpod •Interview with @authordanagoldstein •Interview with Katie, owner of @kit.and.caboodle.market Mentioned: supermarket news.com, mom.com, getschoolsupply.com, Warrant...
Aug 12, 2022•50 min•Ep. 77
Tracy Gibson, manager of Studio D Jewelers is here! https://studiodjewelers.com She brought us pasta and wine because Craig from Americano and PastaBar didn’t bring us any (LOL!), Tracy talks about where she's been, we asked many questions; most popular cuts & stones, Meredith realizes she can’t pronounce ‘cubic zirconia’, Tracy shows us the most beautiful 5.19 carat diamond, jewelry is all about the stories, we talk about the strangest piece Tracy has ever seen, the most beautiful piece Tra...
Aug 05, 2022•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 76
Do not leave your pets in hot cars! This episode shares why you shouldn't. Information borrowed from https://franklinpet.com/the-facts-about-dogs-in-hot-cars/ 5 Alternatives to leaving your pet in the car Use a drive-thru for errands when available Bring a friend who can play with your pet outside while you run your errand Shop at pet-friendly stores where your pet is welcome to browse with you Eat at an outdoor café where your pet can sit with you Leave your pet at home where it’s cool and safe...
Jul 29, 2022•47 min•Ep. 75
"If I have to scream, I've already lost." "I'm about as Italian as a pint of Guinness." "We're gonna get nerdy here, you ready?" "I've been making pasta for 3 months to pay for this driveway." "Dude!" We are so excited that Craig joined us to talk all about pasta and wine! Craig is a chef, he shares great stories and his family is amazing! Join us to learn where Craig was, where he is now and learn the art of pasta making! Saluti! Americano's link: https://www.americanowoodstock.com/events Pasta...
Jul 22, 2022•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 74
Have YOU experienced a Mandela Effect!? _ “False memories can sometimes be shared by multiple people. This phenomenon was dubbed the "Mandela Effect" by paranormal researcher Fiona Broome, who reported having vivid and detailed memories of news coverage of South African anti-Apartheid leader Nelson Mandela dying in prison in the 1980s.” Also referenced information from buzzfeed.com and https://finance.yahoo.com, Cass answers her phone when a telemarketer calls, Meredith shares a travel story, ti...
Jul 15, 2022•58 min•Ep. 73
*Early Release!* 6 important life lessons learned in retail borrowed from https://lifegoalsmag.com, 17 hilarious things only people in retail would understand borrowed from https://thoughtcatalog.com, the customer is always right in their own sense of style, is sparkling water filtered through beaver butts?, Taurine, Cass hears tornado sirens, an Abby story about time management, customer service voice All the links: https://linktr.ee/theclopeneffect
Jul 07, 2022•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 72
We talk all about Cassandra's surprise birthday party, the crabby bartender, the rude driver, the crosswalk, the intersection, construction season, big box information from www.investopedia.com, small specialty store facts from www.ibisworld.com, and e-commerce facts from www.markinblog.com, boutique mentioned: Jayne Lake Geneva, "Live, Laugh, Leave me alone", breathing technique, Steven's short film link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSW1sEgmTNM All the links: https://linktr.ee/theclopeneffe...
Jul 01, 2022•59 min•Ep. 71
Happy 40th birthday, Cassandra! Also, all about gift cards, information borrowed from querysprout.com and howstuffworks.com
Jun 24, 2022•52 min•Ep. 70
All about flying etiquette in this episode. Also, 10 ways to practice good airline etiquette from aarp.com and 1 Starbucks story. Unedited.
Jun 17, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 69
Cassandra's 40 day countdown birthday board, careful with that sugar free chocolate, the cabin, crunchy trail mix, shelled pistachios, GORP, Jordan Almonds, thank you to the McHenry County businesses; Truck Off Festival, Mchenry County Living, previous episodes memory, training new team members, the small glass bowls, a long day of talking, the customers that leave stuff everywhere, the return bins, How did you find your way to Illinois?, Uber statistics from https://carsurance.net, we love Domi...
Jun 10, 2022•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 68
Bonus episode! We have had so many great stories and guests, we just wanted to share a few: pizza thief, customers pooping all over the bathroom, missing product, wrong tags, phone and lotion shenanigans, self scan settings, personal shoppers and avocados, courtesy flushes, weight loss challenges, Cassandra's mom swiped credit cards, no limes, I work in Pharmacy, have you ever been to Home Depot?, baby's first tattoo, the beeper & the cashier, buy one get one free, customer's posing for pict...
Jun 05, 2022•28 min
This episode is more on the serious side as we talk about fighting unemployment but also; Meredith shares a couple retail stories, KT is here and still baking cheesecakes!, her new adventure, Meredith has never tried a Pop-Tart, non-traditional weddings, Meredith's runner flip-flops, don't steal then use Catalina coupons, meeting reports, Cassandra takes an unemployment call, the Top 10 Reasons for Getting Fired from https://www.thebalancecareers.com, and KT brought cheesecake
Jun 03, 2022•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 67
James shares parts 1, 2, and 3 of his farting stories, fizzles, Cass' Snapchat story, when people try to act like they didn't fart, someone's always around, why are farts so funny?, "It smells like butt in here!", snack pack, birds flying around the grocery store, James' retail career, meat department, cuts of beef, one year in retail, Meredith surprises Cassandra with a butcher quiz from howstuffworks.com Support us here: https://account.venmo.com/u/theclopeneffect
May 20, 2022•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 66
Kristen, owner of Aeon Gallery & Aeon Lounge is here! We talk all about the art gallery, try some Absinthe drinks, stealing hotel art, a pumpkin statue thief, her beautiful bar top, spirits, Paint & Sips by Little Mountain Art, and so much more! Visit the gallery Thursday - Sunday here: 10331 N. Main Street, Richmond, IL 60071
May 13, 2022•1 hr 25 min•Ep. 65
Retail salaries, store directors, regional buyers, store operations, store resets, Cassandra’s blue sparkly shirt, facts borrowed from theinterviewguys.com, Jay's pig, we keep yawning, we never stopped, Cassandra has had Covid 3 times, Meredith's bedroom is a mess, people selling mirrors, don't take a picture while standing on a glass scale Support The Clopen Effect: https://account.venmo.com/u/theclopeneffect
May 06, 2022•57 min•Ep. 64
Cheers! Dan (owner/brewmaster) and Mark (head brewer/brewmaster) from Kishwaukee Brewing Co. are here to share their knowledge! We talk about their beers on tap, festivals, alewives, beer brewing processes, bottling, Meredith surprises Cassandra with a beer quiz from quiz-bliss.com, and Cassandra thinks she sees a deer butt on the artwork. Visit the brewery here: https://www.kishwaukeebrewing.com Venmo Support: https://account.venmo.com/u/theclopeneffect
Apr 29, 2022•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 63
Take that day off, take that vacation, Cassandra’s husband loves a good sale, Meredith’s tanning salon stories, funny customer stories from boredpanda.com Venmo Support: https://account.venmo.com/u/theclopeneffect
Apr 22, 2022•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 62
Pharmacy, accidentally beeping, Cassandra tries to train a cake decorator on new equipment, Meredith surprises Cassandra early with a quiz by grizly.com, What is your favorite date and how did you work it into the conversation?, 17 Types of Retail Jobs from https://www.localwise.com, Meredith could never work at a quiet card shop, Eric Clapton music, feeder fish, when does a company decide to post a recall?, the truck driver story, straight to the comments Email us at: theclopeneffect@gmail.com ...
Apr 15, 2022•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 61
Yearly raises and price increases, Burger King drive-thru, Cassandra dropped her phone in the toilet, there are 2 types of angry customers, 10 common phrases you should never say to a customer https://www.userlike.com, 12 steps to help you cope with customer complaints https://www.shopify.co.uk, Who's getting the attention they need today?, locking wheels on carts, Cassandra is very good with people, keep the line moving, people have gotten worse, silence, Meredith describes live bomb parties...
Apr 08, 2022•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 60
Bonus episode! What kind of drink are you, Cassandra? A quick listen before our Friday episode! From https://brainfall.com/quizzes/what-kind-of-drink-are-you/
Apr 08, 2022•6 min
All the laughs then some retail company history. Information mentioned can be found on the company's website unless otherwise stated in this episode. Wal-Mart, Meijer, Target (britannica.com), Kohl's, Nordstrom and Macy's. 17 unique businesses to start from Shopify.com. Meredith surprises Cassandra with a vacation quiz from https://www.thequiz.com/where-should-you-go-on-your-next-vacation/. Also mentioned: nesteggfarm @ https://www.instagram.com/nesteggfarm/?hl=en
Apr 01, 2022•1 hr 26 min•Ep. 59
