Pot-O-Gold Blog

Helping Your Community And Developing Relationships.

Giving a helping hand to your community is paramount to its success. Volunteering your time, money, or assets can benefit your community greatly and by doing so, you foster relationships you otherwise would never have had. Building these relationships can lead to life long friendships, business opportunities, and potentially love. Never think your work goes unnoticed.

We at Pot-O-Gold Rentals have been doing everything we can to help our communities. While it’s tough to lend our time or money, we at least do what we can by lending our assets. Every year, Pot-O-Gold donates porta potties and dumpsters to various organizations who reach out to us and to those who we reach out to. Developing long-term relationships with other organizations fosters trust that can only be gained by lending a hand.

Since the start of 2018 alone, Pot-O-Gold Rentals donated 100 toilets to various organizations with the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival being the largest by far. To them, we contributed 70 porta potties. The rest were donated to various other organizations who we have fostered or aim to foster relationships with.

These fostered relationships are like a rising tide that raises all ships.

Here’s a shout out all of the amazing organizations we have donated to this year alone. Please click on the images to visit their websites.

Meet The Staff: Stacy Verneuil

Welcome back to Meet The Staff! Today’s focus is going to be on Pot-O-Gold’s newest office employee, Stacy Verneuil. Shes only been working at Pot-O-Gold for three weeks now and she’s fitting in like a glove. Stacy’s from Ponchatoula, LA, is 26 years old, and is one of six siblings. She has two sisters and three brothers. Even with such a large family, it’s not complete without Stacy’s 4-year old son Bronson.

Everyone has their hobbies. Some of us like to play video games, some like to fish, and others just like going for a drive. Stacy enjoys swimming and four-wheeler riding. Lucky her! It’s summer in Louisiana right now, and the weather is just perfect for those activities. Ponchatoula is surrounded by rivers and they are excellent places to go four-wheeler riding and for a swim. Just watch for snakes.

Whether it’s a decadent filet mignon from your local steakhouse, fried catfish from home, or a taco from Taco Bell, everyone has their favorite food. With Stacy being a Louisiana girl, it’s no surprise that crawfish tops her list. I mean, can you blame her? The flavors that the crawfish take on from the cajun spices are incredible. The heat that’s left on your lips from all those spices is euphoric. Alas, you can’t have crawfish all year round. They go in and out of season every year just like everything else. When Stacy can’t enjoy a good crawfish boil with friends and family, she finds herself at her favorite restaurant, Rips on the Lake in Mandeville. From what I see on their menu, I may have to go myself. Their food sounds mouth-watering.

After keeping your nose to the grindstone all year long, you’re going to need a break before you break. Some years are so rough that the only thing that can help you recuperate is a perfect vacation. For Stacy, going to the mountains in the winter time would be heaven on earth. I have to say, she’s speaking my language with that one. There is just something magical about a log cabin on the side of a mountain. Sitting next to the hearth warming you feet next to the fire. Relaxing in a hot tub on the balcony overlooking the pines and snow-capped mountains. It warms the soul.

The places we most want to visit don’t always line up with our perfect vacation. If given the opportunity to visit anywhere in the world, Stacy would want to visit either Paris or Italy. One is a city, the other is a country, but both are the birthplace of some of the most amazing food the world has ever seen. She didn’t say why she wanted to go there, but I say the food is reason enough.

If given the opportunity to cast an actress to portray her in a movie, Stacy wouldn’t be able to choose. She likes so many actresses that the decision isn’t an easy one. That’s fair. Casting for a role can be quite difficult.

The alarm clock goes off at 6 am and you’re not happy with life. All you want to do is go back to sleep, but you have responsibilities. You drag yourself out of bed, throw your clothes on for the day, wake your child up and get them ready for the day. Breakfast and lost shoes make mornings a bit of a time crunch, but once you get in the car and drive off to work you have to hype yourself up for the day ahead. You connect your phone to your car and turn on your favorite jams. What do you play? Stacy plays a bit of Kelly Clarkson. Kelly does have some really catchy tunes that can definitely get your blood pumping if you’re a pop music fan. Since you’ve been gone is a classic.

We all have our unusual habits, but that’s part of what makes us human. Stacy has to make sure her TV volume is an even number. I can see how that can get pretty difficult to manage, especially if she doesn’t have 5.1 surround sound. Ever wonder why music is always so loud in a movie and the dialogue is so quite? Movie audio is always mixed in 5.1 surround sound so when it plays through stereo speakers, the audio is way off-balance.

The sound of a powerful engine can send chills up your spine. Most people’s dream cars are super cars; cars with incredibly powerful engines and some of the best engineering in the world. Stacy’s dream car is a Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport. What can you say? The woman’s got good taste; very expensive taste too. That’s why they call it a dream car, right?

There is a very popular saying, “Don’t meet your heroes.” This is a statement that I don’t fully agree with. Meeting someone face to face reveals character that you don’t see on camera. We all have our heroes and we want to meet them. If given the opportunity, Stacy would want to meet either Pink, Kelly Clarkson, or Adele because “they’re amazing.” I see that Stacy gets a lot of her inspiration from music.

Growing up, most of us wanted to do something exciting when we grew up. We wanted to be cops, firefighters, and astronauts, but Stacy wanted to go another route. She wanted to be a lawyer. Apparently she enjoys a good constructive argument, especially in the name of justice! I wonder if she was in the debate club in high school. Looking back, I wish I was.

Memories are some of the most powerful things in the world. They can bring up so many wonderful and powerful feelings that can overwhelm you. Everyone has that one memory that stands above the rest. Reflecting on it immediately brings a smile to your face and elation washes over you. For Stacy, that memory is when she brought her son to Disney World. I can understand why this would be her most cherished memory. The look of pure joy and excitement on her child’s face coupled with the uncontainable happiness is everything a mother could ask for.

Whether we wanted it or not, we have all had nicknames given to us. Some are endearing and others can be not-so-nice. Stacy has had two notable nicknames growing up: Little Bit and Red. I bet you can guess the origins of those names. If you guess that she’s a little red-head, you would be correct.

When I ask people what the biggest things on their bucket list are, it reveals a lot about them. Come to find out, Stacy is an adrenaline junkie. Before she kicks the bucket, she wants to go skydiving and climb Mt. Everest. You do you Booboo. Have fun.

We all have our guilty pleasures. For most people, their guilty pleasures revolve around chocolate, confections, and other sugary treats. Stacy’s on the other hand, is rather unique. She likes to go to hotels and contemplate taking their comfy pillows, but she never does it for “her life’s sake.” That one is quite unique.

Celebrity crushes are so very common. Everyone has one. Stacy’s first celebrity crush was Channing Tatum. I can see why. The man is built incredibly well and he can move. From Step Up to Magic Mike, Channing Tatum has won the hearts of almost every woman in the country.

We have all been given advice in the past, but not all of it sticks. There is however, that one piece of advice that stays with us throughout the years and has had its hand in moulding who we become. The best piece of advice Stacy has ever received was to never give up because you never know who is watching. I agree with this sentiment. Never give up and push through. Grab the bull by the horns and show it who’s boss.

First jobs are rarely fun, but we’ve all had them. Most of us started out in the food, service, or retail industries. Stacy started in food. Her first job was at Papa Johns when she was in high school. You have to do what you have to do so you can have money to go out with your friends.

Time for my favorite question. If you could have one superpower, what would it be? The reason I love this question so much is because it reveals so much about a person. Stacy would want to be able to become invisible so she could mess with people but never harm them. I can see the headlines now, “Poltergeist Prankster At Large!”

Alright guys that’s going to do it for this Meet The Staff! Stop by next time to learn more about Pot-O-Gold’s amazing, ever-growing family!

Pot-O-Gold’s best-in-class portable toilets, roll-off dumpsters, and more provide the best site service solutions for any event, construction, or DIY project. Our professional customer service team is standing by to assist you with any questions you may have regarding our products. For more information please visit our website at potogoldwaste.com or call 1-888-768-6465!

Cinco De Mayo

Every year, millions of people celebrate Cinco de Mayo by drinking and partying, but who can tell me why people celebrate this commemorative Mexican holiday? What is the meaning behind it? Cinco de Mayo is observed to commemorate the Mexican Army’s unlikely victory over the French Empire at the Battle of the Puebla on May 5, 1862, under the leadership of General Ignacio Zaragonza. Now that we’ve had our little history lesson, how about we grab a nice margarita or five and enjoy them with some traditional Mexican cuisine!

Let’s Party!

Come Cinco de Mayo, block and house parties are a dime a dozen. Tequila and is generally the giggle water of choice and good tacos and taquitos are being taken to chow town. People are dancing to good mariachi music and people are genuinely having a good time.

As with any good celebration, preparations need to be made. Food, music, and atmosphere are some of the first things on people’s mind when planning any party or celebration, but the restroom situation is usually the last. We get it. Porta potties don’t exactly spell fiesta, but for a party holiday like Cinco de Mayo, it’s rather important if you want to keep the foot traffic through your home to a minimum. Portable toilets are also an excellent consideration for those who are environmentally conscious. Flush after flush wastes hundreds of gallons of water during the party. We all know that alcohol makes people flock to the restroom. A porta potty uses only a few gallons of water for its entire “service cycle”.

What To Order?

Pot-O-Gold has two great portable toilet rental options for occasions like this: our standard porta potty and our special event porta potty. For one-day or weekend celebrations like Cinco de Mayo, I would highly suggest our special event portable toilet. You will save some money and treat your guests to some upgraded amenities like a coat and purse hook, a vanity mirror, and corner mounted shelving. No delivery fee. No fuel sur charge. As for your cost, it could be from $85 – $125 depending on your area. When you are done with your unit, just call for a pick up and it will be out of your way in no time.

What else does Pot-O-Gold offer?

Pot-O-Gold offers a variety of waste management products from porta potties, roll-off dumpsters, mobile sinks, restroom and shower trailers, and much more. Whether you’re having a small get-together, manning a massive construction project, or looking for restroom solutions at industrial facilities, Pot-O-Gold has everything you need.

Meet The Staff: Wahden Brandau

Welcome back to Meet The Staff! Today’s focus is going to be on Wahden “Wham-Bham” Brandau, a gentleman who has been working here at Pot-O-Gold for over 7 months as a pump truck driver. “I love my job! I take pride in my work! What can I say? I love to pump poo!” Endearing words from Mr. Brandeau. Wahden was born July 23, 1984 and is from Ponchatoula, LA. He’s married to his lovely wife Ashley and they have 3 beautiful children together. In fact, his fondest memories are the days when each of them were brought into this world.

Decompressing at the end of a long day or ,heaven forbid, a long week is absolutely paramount to keeping your sanity. We all have our hobbies. Some of us like to plop down in front of the TV or PC and play some video games. Some of us like to do puzzles or build models. Some of us like to work on our cars. Wahden enjoys golfing and playing darts. I never got the allure of golf. Maybe I’ll have to ask Wahden why he likes it so much. From what he tells me, he’s very good at it.

Speaking of decompressing, the best way to decompress is to go on a vacation. Most people love to travel or go on a nice cruise, and Wahden is no different. He wants to go on a nice, week-long cruise. I assume he wants to go with his wife and leave kids with grandma and grandpa. All the parents out there know how difficult it is to get peace and quiet when their little bundles of joy are zipping around the house.

Whether is Italian, French, or any of the other amazing types of cuisine out there, we all have our favorite. It’s rather difficult to outmatch Italian and French cuisine, but to Wahden, Tex-Mex does the trick. He really enjoys eating at the restaurant Ponchos, and from what I hear, it’s a pretty decent place to grab a bite to eat.

Lights. Camera. Action. Wahden was given the chance of a lifetime to have a movie made about his life. He was also given the privilege to choose the actor to portray him in the upcoming hit blockbuster. He picked the star of Happy Gilmore, Billy Madison, Water Boy, Big Daddy, and Mr. Deeds. That’s right folks! Adam Sandler! Not everyone can appreciate Adam Sandler’s comedy, but personally Wahden and I agree that he is hilarious. You gotta love a good slapstick comedian.

Getting up in the morning can be a drag. Coffee rarely helps, and you’re dreading taking a cold shower. Your mind gets to churning, and you have an epiphany. Music. Music is always something that hypes you up and prevents you from getting into an icy shower. What do you play in this situation? Wahden plays a little bit of hip-hop. I’m curious what his tastes are. Logic or Kevin Gates? Maybe old school stuff like Dre, Biggie, Pac, Snoop, or Eminem? Either way, music with heavy hitting bass is bound to wake you up in the morning.

No matter how down we get about ourselves, we always have that one attribute we value. For some, it’s physical and for others it’s mental. Wahden values his work ethic, something that will never go unappreciated. Hard work is always rewarded. Keep that work ethic burning my friend. It’s one of the greatest traits anyone can have.

From picking your teeth to counting how many swipes of deodorant you put on, we all have our unusual habits. Wahden’s unusual habit reveals a little something extra about him that we didn’t know. “I have a habit of forgetting to put my teeth in.” Yea, Wahden has false teeth. Kinda cool. I wonder what the story is there.

American muscle cars and Italian exotics are among the most desired cars in the world. I favor the 1967 Shelby GT500, but classic American muscle isn’t for everyone. Wahden favors a Lamborghini. That’s a very respectable choice. The sleek body style and the sound of a lamborghini is very unique and I see the appeal. They are beautiful pieces of craftmanship.

Historical figures, late family members, and celebrities are among the most desirable people to meet. Most people I interview want to meet their late family because of the stories they hear about them growing up. Wahden wants to meet Lynard Skynard because, “I’ve heard they are really cool to hang with.” There is nothing with wanting to meet the gods of southern rock.

What was your aspiration when you were a child? Firefighter? Astronaut? Cop? Well, that sure was Wahden’s. He wanted to be a police officer. As a child, I could see the appeal. The thought of wanting to help people and protect them from harm, and wanting to make the world a better place is a heartwarming sentiment. Alas, we can’t all be a Judy Hopps.

Wahden is a brave man. When I asked him what one place he would like to visit, he told me Australia. Traveling through the outback and visiting Sydney does seem like fun, but there is just something about all of venomous nope ropes and creepy crawlies there that turn me off. More power to you man. I hope you get to go and you have fun.

A bucket list is a list of things you want to do before you kick the bucket. Wahden is quite the adventurous type. He wants to go sky diving, go to space, and he wants to go on a cruise. When people tell me that they want to go sky diving, I always ask them why they would want to jump out of a perfectly good plane. Going to space seems kinda cool and going on a cruise can be quite romantic. Seems like a hell of a bucket list my friend. You better get cracking.

We all have guilty pleasures, and almost every single person I’ve interviewed has a one revolving around delicious yummy sweets. There is a good reason for this. We all know that sugar isn’t necessarily good for you, but it’s just so tasty and it’s very addicting. Wahden enjoys a nice bowl of ice cream while lying in bed. That sounds very comfy-cozy and delicious. That’s a great combination for a nice post-treat nap.

Brad Pitt, Amy Jo Johnson, Johnathan Taylor Thomas, Hillary Duff, etc. What do all of these celebrities have in common? These are all common first celebrity crushes. We’ve all had them. Don’t deny it. As I’ve shamelessly said before, I fancied the pink power ranger, Amy Jo Johnson. Wahden was saying, “hit me baby one more time,” a bit more than your average boy in the 90’s. Brittany Spears was a stunner back in the 90’s and guys drooled over her. Wahden, it seems, was no different.

There is always that one piece of advice that sticks to us once it’s given. While not a piece of advice, it’s a mostly true and profound statement. “It takes money to make money.” That is the most profound piece of advice Wahden has ever received. You have to spend money in order to make money. It does seem like that most of the time. This is why I say to invest and let your money work for you while you sleep.

First jobs suck and we all know it. Most of the time, it’s working in retail or a restaurant and you feel over worked and underpaid. We have all been through it. Wahden’s first job was a bag boy at Winn-Dixie. Things can get a bit boring bagging groceries, but someone has to do it. That job eventually led him to us, and now Wahden is part of the Pot-O-Gold family.

Time for my favorite question. I really like this question because it reveals a lot about a person. If you could have one superpower, what would it be? Wahden wants the power of invisibility. I wonder why. Does he wish to spy or hide? In my experience, invisibility is an answer given by those whose trust doesn’t come easy or by those who just want to disappear for a while. Who knows why.

Alright guys that’s going to do it for this Meet The Staff! Stop by next time to learn more about Pot-O-Gold’s amazing, ever-growing family!

Here Comes The Bride

Spring is here, and Summer is to follow. Over the course of the next few months, we will be graced with some of the most beautiful weather of the year. Flowers will be in bloom, the sun will shine brightly in the clear blue sky, and the sounds of birds and wedding bells will fill the air. That’s right folks! It’s wedding season!

The restroom situation is generally one of the last things that the bride and groom think about, but it’s one of the most important components of the ceremony. Your guests will need to go somewhere, and preferably somewhere comfortable. Pot-O-Gold offers a variety of wedding restroom rental options to fit any situation.

Special Event Porta Potty Rental

Pot-O-Gold’s Special Event Portable Toilet Rental option provides premium restroom amenities to customers when needed. Our event porta potty offers an upgraded aesthetic over our standard portable toilet and offers some nice amenities including a corner-mounted shelf, a coat and purse hook, and a door mounted vanity mirror.

Handicap Accessible Portable Toilet Rental

Pot-O-Gold’s Handicap Accessible Porta Potty rental option provides excellent accessibility and grab rails for those with special needs. Our handicap accessible porta potty is a spacious 5′ x 5′ unit so it provides plenty room for a wheel chair access and swing room for crutches.

Restroom Trailer Rental

Restroom trailers are the very best when it comes to mobile sanitation and it provides your guests with the comfort they deserve. We offer a 2-stall restroom trailer, a 7-stall restroom trailer, and a 12-stall restroom trailer to fit a variety of different sized parties. If you are wanting something more high-end, we offer our Gold Line Restroom Trailer which features wood floors, wood trim, and a completely upgraded aesthetic.

Mobile Hand Wash Sink Rental

Hand hygiene is very important, especially when you are around a lot of people and a lot of food. Pot-O-Gold offers 3 hand sanitation solutions to keep your hands clean and free of germs. We offer our 2-stall mobile hand wash station, our 4-stall mobile hand wash station, and our 4-stall hand sanitizer “hand tree.”

Consider The Size of Your Wedding

We understand parties come in all sizes and some may be confused about how many porta potties to rent for their special day. Pot-O-Gold recommends 1 portable toilet per 10 people and 1 hand wash sink or hand tree per 4 portable toilets.

Whether you are planning a massive outdoor wedding or a small backyard wedding, Pot-O-Gold is the best source for wedding porta potty rentals! Our portable toilet rental services are guaranteed to provide you and your guests with comfort and convenience!

Thank you for chosing Pot-O-Gold!

Meet The Staff: Estela Alba-Gonzalez

Welcome back to Meet The Staff! Today, our focus is going to be on Pot-O-Gold’s newest employee, Estela Alba-Gonzalez, our sales person for the Houston area. She’s only been with Pot-O-Gold for about a month now and she’s fitting in quite well with our growing family. Estela was born on August 8, 1980 and has lived in Houston all of her life. Houston seems like a fantastic place to grow up and raise a family. Speaking of family, Estela comes from a sizable one. She is one of five girls who all have families of their own. Some even have grandkids. “Family gatherings are usually loud and a bit crazy.” I can imagine. Estela has been married to her husband Jesse for almost 18 years and they have two children together: Christian, age 17 and Gabriel, age 12.

From hiking to gaming and fishing to hunting, we all have our hobbies. Estela fancies cooking, working out, and spending time with her family. Estela’s hobby of cooking is something the whole family can enjoy. I’m sure they’re grateful for that.

While we are on the topic of food, “Even though many consider me to be weird or picky about what I eat, I actually do love many kinds of food. My favorite is sushi though…and Mexican from El Toro Restaurant only. I guess it helps that they have the best mojitos too!” I have to say, Estela has good taste. Sushi and mojitos? Best food and best cocktail ever. I wont knock a good taco either.

We all have to get away from it all from time to time so we can decompress and not care about the world around us. Estela’s ideal vacation is to go to any beach with crystal clear water so she can just relax! “I got my toes in the water, *** in the sand, and not a worry in the world.” Sounds like a good time to me. There is just something about the sound of the waves and the smell of the ocean the invokes peace in the mind and body.

Estela is now the focus of the newest blockbuster mocumentary. The hype train is in full locomotion and people are bursting at the seams to see it. Estela was in charge of casting the lead role for the movie. Estela’s very first choice was Sandra Bullock because, “She’s a great actress and she seems to be a bit quirky like me.” in theatres July 2020!

Waking up in the morning can be a drag. You’re tired and you lumber around the house more zombie than human. You get to the kitchen, throw on a pot of coffee, and say, “Hey Google, play my wakeup playlist.” What’s playing? For Estela, it’s a combination of country, hip hop, and Spanish music. Not my particular cup o’ tea, but if that’s what gets you going, more power too you! Turn it up to eleven and rock out.

No matter how much we criticize ourselves, we always have that one thing that we like. We all have a perception of our greatest characteristic, but sometimes it’s hard for us to focus on it for fear of feeling narcissistic. I say, “forget that!” We should focus on that one thing that makes you feel good about yourself. Estela, feels as if her best attribute is that she is genuinely a caring person. Someone who truly cares about others is becoming rarer and rarer to find in a time where people are so sucked into their own lives through social media. Don’t let go of that quality Estela! It will never be undervalued.

When confronted with the question, “What is your most unusual habit,” Estela seemed to be a bit boggled at first, not because she couldn’t thing of any, but because she had so many! She finally settled on something I think she does when she’s lost in thought. “For some reason, I tend to do this thing with my lips and make a noise. My family says I sound like a horse.”

I learned today that not everyone has a dream car. The usual answers are within the realm of Italian exotics or American muscle, but not Estela. “Oh goodness, it’s crazy because my boys LOVE cars, but I’m not a car person at all so I don’t really have a dream car. I like to be up high so as long as it’s an SUV or a truck, I’m happy.” I can’t knock a woman of simple tastes.

There is always someone who you want to meet. For most people it’s a celebrity or someone significant from history. Estela’s choice is a bit more close to the heart. She would want to meet her grandfather on her mother’s side. “Family is everything to me and he’s the only one of my grandparents who I did not get to meet.” I’m in the same boat Estela. My mom’s father passed away when she was only a girl. She tells me that he and I are so much alike that it’s scary. Apparently it’s in my mannerisms. I wonder what you do that your grandfather did.

We all had a dream job when we were younger. Most kids want to be cops, firemen, astronauts, etc. Estela wanted to shape and mold the minds of future generations. She wanted to be a teacher. This is a noble aspiration in my book. Education of America’s future generations is so very important. As we grow though, things change and our path shoots off in an unexpected direction. Now, Estela is working for Pot-O-Gold as a sales person and we are more than happy to have her in our family.

Memories. They can be some of the happiest things in the world. We all have a fond memory or two. Estela’s most fond memories are those of family gatherings. Estela really does know the importance of family. The phrase “blood is thicker than water” didn’t come from nowhere. She is trying to instill these values in her kids so they will pass them off to the next generation and beyond. It warms my heart to see these values instilled in America’s future generations.

Most people have nicknames growing up whether they like it or not. Ive had many, most of which I can’t say aloud, but the one that was most common among the females in my life was Nay-Nay. Yeah. Terrible, I know. Estela’s nickname was Coneja growing up. Coneja is spanish for rabbit. She told me not to ask why so now I REALLY want to know. All I’m picturing now are anime bunny girls. I’m sure that’s not it.

There is always one place you want to go. Your reasons my vary, but there is always someplace you would love to visit. Estela wants to visit Mykonos Island in Greece. Not a bad choice. There is a certain beauty to Mykonos Island. I wonder if this is the beach vacation that would beat all other beach vacations for Estela. Hmm.

We all have some things we want to do before we die. Some people’s bucket lists span miles long while others may only have three things on them. Estela just wants to travel. Travel travel travel. Seeing the world is an aspiration of many and for good reason.

We all have our guilty pleasures. Most guilty pleasures usually revolve around food. Estela’s is no different. Estela loves nut butter. “I like to just get a spoon and eat away. Give me all the almond, peanut, coconut, cashew, and pecan butter!” Hey guys, Estela like nut butter. Really likes it apparently. Next time I’m in Channelview, TX, I know what to bring as a care package.

We all have had our celebrity crushes and some still do. Estela’s first celebrity crush was Mario Lopez. He was a good looking dude back in the day. With his boyish good looks, many women…and men… swooned over him.

Words of wisdom should never go unappreciated. We all recieve good advice throughout our lives. The best piece of advice that Estela ever received was one we all were told, but few seem to adhere to. “Treat others the way you wish to be treated.” This is something that I live by life by and I’m happy to see that it’s the case with Estela.

Finally, Our first jobs are never really great. It’s generally in retail or food service. The hours suck, the pay sucks, and all you do from the moment you wake is count down the time until you get off work. Exciting, I know, but we all go through it. Estela’s first job was at Academy. Working is retail is never fun, but someone has got to do the job. Estela stepped up to the plate!

Sorry folk, no “super power” answer this time. Maybe she doesn’t want a super power, and she likes the way that she is. There is nothing wrong with that.

Alright guys that’s going to do it for this Meet The Staff! Stop by next time to learn more about Pot-O-Gold’s amazing, evergrowing family!

Meet The Staff: Richard Dawson

Welcome back to Meet The Staff! Today’s focus is on Richard Dawson, a man who has been with Pot-O-Gold for quite a while. Richard is a jack-of-all-trades here at Pot-O-Gold! He does it all. His very first job working in a plant eventually led him to us. Richard was born May 15, 1977 and is from Santa Fe, TX, where he has lived his entire life. Santa Fe is now home to his lovely wife Kelly and their son Richard whom I will refer to from here on out as Little Richie to avoid any confusion. Richard really is a family man. In his free time, he loves spending time with his son. Richard sincerely stated, “He means everything to me.” I can imagine. There is no bond like the bond between father and son. Think Mufasa and Simba.

Food. Everybody loves food. We all have that one resturant we like to go to specifically for one item on the menu. For me, it was a sushi resturant that’s no longer in business called Koto. Their richie roll is still the most delicious thing I’ve ever put in my mouth. Too bad I’ll never get to taste it again. Richard loves to eat almost everything, but his favorite place to go is Joe’s Crab Shack in Galveston, TX. He is also a fan of peanut butter and honey sandwiches, and rightfully so. Peanut butter and honey sandwiches are delicious.

We all like to get away from the real world from time to time so we can relax. When it’s time to get away, where do you like to go? Richard is all about the beach vacation. The feel of the sand beneath your toes, the smell of the ocean, and the sound of the waves is pure bliss. Richard surfed when he was younger so it’s only natural that he is drawn to the beach.

You wake up in the morning and the first words out of your mouth are, “Hey Google, play _____.” Your Google Home responds and plays the music you ask it to play. What music is now filling the room? What is this music that gets you fired up in the morning? Richard isn’t terribly picky, as he will listen to just about anything depending on his mood. I tend to fill my mornings with poltical or video game related podcasts.

We all have that one thing that we like about ourselves even if we have no self-esteem. What’s yours? Richard likes the fact that he is hard working and a great father. These are attributes that any man should be proud of. A good work ethic and raising a child properly leads to a wonderful, prosperous, and strong country. He is also “handsome” to boot, so that’s nice.

Driving is a necessity for most and a genuine pleasure for some. I don’t like driving, but if I had my dream car, I may play a different tune. Richard likes Corvettes. You can’t knock Richard for loving this American classic. Corvettes have this x-factor that a lot of other cars don’t have. The body style is iconic and is known world wide.

Traveling isn’t everyone’s thing, but most people have an adventerous streak. The same goes for Richard. When asked what one place in the world he wanted to visit above all others, he really couldn’t decide. “I would like to travel the entire world one day, but closer to home? I’ve heard the Grand Canyon is really cool to see.”

We all have that one piece of advice that stands with us throughout our lives, and we have heard some pretty inspiring words of wisdom from these Meet The Staff segments. The best piece of advice Richard has ever heard isn’t quite as inspired, but there is a lot of weight to it. “Make enough money to retire.” Well, I have a piece of advice to give that will definately help anyone along the way to prosperity. Don’t just leave your money sitting in a savings account. Invest that money in a diverse portfolio. Invest in precious metals and major tech companies that arent going anywhere but up. Allow your money to make you even more money. Look into IRAs. There is a lot you can do to grow your money. If you get into investing while you are young, you can retire early and live a very comfortable life.

Finally, down to my favorite question because the answer usually tells you a lot about a person. If you could have one superpower, what would it be? Richard wants the ability to read minds. With this power, one would be able to ascend to highest echelon of the socio-economic latter. Life would be easy, and surprises (both good and bad) would almost completely disappear. There are a ton of advantages to being able to read minds, but those advantages come with a cost. The company of people would become rather boring because you would know what they are going to say before they even say it. As long as this power is controlled, it will be greatly beneficial. Remember the most famous comic book quote of all time, “With great power, comes great responsability.” -Amazing Fantasy #15, August 1962.

Alright guys that’s going to do it for this Meet The Staff! Stop by next time to learn more about Pot-O-Gold’s amazing, evergrowing family!

Meet The Staff: Charles Dewitt

Welcome back to Meet The Staff! This week’s segment may seem a little sparse, but I will do what I can to make things interesting! This week’s focus is on our New Orleans native Charles (Charlie) Dewitt, a driver who has been working for Pot-O-Gold for over 10 years. Just to think, this man started out as a restaurant dishwasher when he was only 8 years old.

Charles is a family man. He is close to mother and siblings, and he often travels all across the country to visit his family members who aren’t exactly down the street. Charles is a rare bird. He actively goes out of his way to spend time with his family. Most people can’t wait to get away from them. I guess Charles understands the phrase, “Blood is thicker than water” more than most. Something’s interesting though. Charles has never been married and has no kids of his own.

In his free time, Charles enjoys exercising and watching TV. Those are at opposite ends of the spectrum, but hey there is balance to be struck almost anywhere. He also enjoys working. He’s a rare bird indeed. Most people find work to be a necessary evil, but not Charles.

We all have our favorite meal. Everyone remembers the moment when they took their very fist bite. You were stunned for half a second. Your eyes rolled so far back in your head that Lynda Blair would be jealous. A meal so delicious you want to devour it, but you force yourself to have restraint. You savor every single bite because you know that when it’s gone, you will be full of longing. This longing is only comparable to the longing you feel when your lover has been away for a while. For Charles, that is steak from Saltgrass Steakhouse. Who can blame the man? That salt, pepper, and garlic powder seared and caramelized on the outside of a beautifully marbled ribeye or new your strip. It makes your mouth water. I’m making myself hungry! I better quit!

Charles, like many others, wants to enjoy a beautiful and sunny vacation in Hawaii. Sounds enticing doesn’t it? The sun hugging you with its warmth, the sound of the waves crashing against the shore which creates a beautiful overture that only mother nature could compose, the sweet taste of a mai tai that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside, all make a wonderful recipe for a relaxing vacation don’t you think?

Charles’ favorite actor is Vin Diesel. If given the opportunity to cast Vin to play him in a movie, he would jump at the chance. Picture this! Charles Dewitt: The Tale of a Pump Truck Driver, starring Vin Diesel. Sounds like a very unique and off-the-wall movie. With Hollywood seemingly running out of ideas, I would go watch it! At least it’s original!

We all have our morning playlist that jazzes us up for our day. Some of us like what’s hot on the radio right now. Some of us like to listen to 70’s and 80’s rock. Charles likes to listen to gospel music in the mornings. Charles must be a devout man.

I want you guys to think about something for a second. Think about what you feel is the best part about you. Think really hard. Got it? Now love that part of yourself forever. Let it shine! Charles’ best attribute is his big heart. Maybe he gives to charity? Maybe he helps the needy or fosters animals? Who knows?

We all have our habits that we find out of the ordinary. Some are not as unusual as you may think. Charles feels that his most unusual habit is his compulsion to drink fruit juice. He drinks it all day long. Sounds like a delicious and semi-healthy habit to me.

Close your eyes. Picture yourself driving down the road. Everything is perfect in life. Imagine the scenery, the smells, and the sounds. Take it all in. Now open your eyes. What were you driving? Charles was driving a ’72 Chevy Impala. What a beautiful vehicle. Maybe he wants to help the Winchesters on one of their monster hunts! Who knows?

If Charles could meet any one person, he would want to meet former President of the United States of America, Barack Obama. We all want to meet our leaders. Our leaders help guide our wonderful country into a hopefully brighter future. I would love to pick the brains of presidents past. Maybe we could learn a thing or two about them and their actions.

Growing up, Charles wanted to be a police officer. I think we all wanted to be a cop growing up. We all wanted to make the world a better place. As we get older we fall away from those childhood dreams and we move towards something more practical and easy-going. We can’t all be Judy Hopps!

Think back to a time when you were happiest; that one moment that stuck with you forever. For Charles, that was his first fishing trip. There is just something about fishing that sparks happiness and peace in people. The smell of the water and the silence creates the perfect setting for relaxation. When a fish bites your line, you feel a jolt of adrenaline. The fight fish put up is exciting and fun. I need to go fishing soon. I miss it.

If given a free ticket to anywhere in the world, Charles would love to go and visit Africa. I’m guessing he wants to learn more about his heritage. Africa is a beautiful country, and I wouldn’t mind visiting myself.

Oh bucket lists. Everyone has one. I’ve noticed a pattern of people being closeted adrenaline junkies. Charles is a bit more tame. He would like to go ziplining. I can speak from personal experience that ziplining is so much fun. He also wants to buy a boat and a truck. Charles is a man of simple desires. I respect that.

What’s your guilty pleasure? Watching trash tv? Eating an entire box of Oreos? Dressing up in your wife’s clothes? Hey, I’m not judging. You do you Boo Boo. Charles’ guilty pleasure isn’t quite so scandalous. He likes chocolate cake. A slice of moist and fluffy chocolate cake is sinfully good. You can’t blame him for having this guilty pleasure.

Celebrity crushes. We all have them and we can all remember our first. Charles’ first celebrity crush was Anita Baker. This man likes a woman with a good voice. There’s nothing wrong with that!

Some of the best advice Charles has ever received is one that could easily make the world a better place if we abided by it. Save your money. Being mindful of what you spend can lead to a very bright future. Why spend $6 on a latte at you local coffee-house when you can make a cup of coffee at home for around $0.36. If you have $6 per day budgeted out for coffee, make this small switch and invest the money saved. Doing this will make that saved money work for you. It will make you money while you sleep. Talk about easy living!

Finally, my favorite question! If you were granted one superpower, what would you choose? Charles wants the power of flight! Flying is freedom. Flying means, no more traffic. Flying is one of the most commonly chosen powers, but given what it represents, is it really that surprising?

Alright guys, that’s going to do it for this week’s Meet The Staff! Stop by next week to learn more about Pot-O-Gold’s ever-growing family.

Meet The Staff: Raul Aleman

What’s going on guys? Welcome back to Meet The Staff! As you can see we are doing something a little different today. I thought that I would improve our little weekly ventures into getting to know our employees better by adding a little audio. Without further ado, let’s get this show on the road!

Today’s focus is on Raul Aleman, a gentleman who has been working for Pot-O-Gold for just over 6 months now as a driver. Raul is 47 years of age, he is from New Braunfels, TX, and he is happily married with kids. They aren’t really kids anymore because Raul is also a grandfather, and when he is around his grandchildren, he loves to go skating with them.

Something interesting about Raul is that he is quite the cinefile. In his free time he loves watching movies. Movies can still bring families together in a day in age where people are so detached from everyone around them. Ideally, one day Raul would like to go on a cruise. My guess is on a romantic cruise to the Caribbean with his wife to spend time with the one person he vowed to loved above all others.

Now, enough with the sappy stuff! How about we get into the fun bits?

If there was a movie being made about Raul, and he was given task of casting an actor to portray him in the upcoming film, he would pick Michael J. Fox because, “we both shake.” Whatever that means.

You know that feeling you get in the morning where you wake up, and you’re groggy? You’re not wanting to go to work, and you need some motivation? Raul turns on some metal music to get his head in the game. Maybe a little bit of Mudvayne or something a bit more classic like Testament or Pantera? That would get my blood pumping for the day, that’s for sure.

Raul feels that his best attribute is his smile. I guess it’s warranted because his nickname is Smiley. I wish I could share that sentiment. When I try to force a smile, I look like a cheese ball.

We all have our unusual habits, but Raul says his is clearing his throat. Maybe it’s a compulsion. Who knows?

Everyone loves a good vehicle and everyone has different tastes. Raul, in my opinion, has great taste. If he was presented with the choice of any car ever manufactured, he would choose a ’69 Camero. You’ve got to love old-school American muscle.

I know that I said we were moving on from the sappy stuff, but I lied. If Raul could meet any one person, he would want to meet his grandfather. He never got to meet him. He and I both share this sentiment. My grandfather passed when my mom was just a girl. I know his pain well.

BACK TO THE FUN!

Something special about Raul that most people don’t know is, “I’m OCD lol.” My guess is that he means he has obsessive tendencies. Everyone likes to have their things in their rightful places. This is especially prevalent in type A personalities.

When Raul was but a wee lad, he had a dream. He wanted nothing more than to be a truck driver! 47 years later, and Raul is living that dream. Pot-O-Gold is officially in the business of making dreams come true!

Some of Raul’s most fond memories are those of his childhood. Memories of playing outside all day in a time where he had no responsibility. We all reflect back on those days and look at them with longing, but just know that carefree child grew up to be one awesome adult.

We all have that one place that we want to visit one day. The most common answer I hear is that people want to go to Rome, Paris, Italy, etc. Raul on the other hand, wants to go to Transylvania. I wouldn’t mind visiting to go and see some of the lore pertaining to lycans and vampires.

Everyone has a bucket list. We all have those things what we want to do before we die, and most people tend to want to experience beauty and an adrenaline rush. Raul is no different. Raul wants to go skydiving (no thank you), drive a race car, and go on a trip to Europe.

Guilty pleasures. The one thing that if people found out about, your face would turn beet red. Raul’s is sugar. He loves candies and chocolate. My guess is that he over endulges, otherwise, why is it guilty?

Growing up watching TV, we all develop crushes on the beautiful people on-screen. Me being born in ’91 and growing up watching Power Rangers, I developed a huge crush on Amy Jo Johnson. Raul’s situation isn’t any different. He developed a crush on Nia Peeples, an R&B singer and actress. She was quite the looker back in the day. I can’t blame him.

OK! OK! Back to the sappy stuff! We all receive that one piece of advice that changes the course of our lives forever. That piece of advice for Raul was, “Marry her!” Raul listened to that advice and now he couldn’t be happier.

First jobs almost always suck. I don’t look upon mine fondly. Raul’s first job was a “floor tech.” He didn’t elaborate here so I really can’t comment.

Finally we have come to my favorite question. If you could have one superpower, what would it be? Raul chose super speed. That’s an awesome power. As long as he doesn’t go messing with the speedforce, I think we will be alright!

Alright guys, that’s going to do it for this week’s Meet The Staff! Stop by next week to learn more about our ever-growing Pot-O-Gold family.

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Meet The Staff: Sam Marsh

Welcome back to Meet The Staff! Today’s focus is on Sam Marsh, a Pot-O-Gold veteran of over 2 1/4 years. He is one of our operations managers, but he started out as a “yard boy” cleaning porta potties. Talk about a rising star! Sam was born on March 16, 1990 in Grand Junction, Colorado. At the time of writing this blog, Sam has been married for 20 days! That’s right ladies and gentlemen! Sam is a newly wed man! Although this is about to sound eerily similar to a dating profile, it’s time to get to know Sam.

In Sam’s free time, he enjoys playing guitar and frisbee golf. Come chow time, Sam loves some good ol’ pizza! Kowabunga dude! His ideal vacation would be to take a road trip anywhere with a beautiful scenic drive. Picture a situation for me. Hollywood decided to make a movie based on Sam’s life, and Sam gets the privilege of casting the actor portraying him. Sam chooses Owen Wilson. I feel like we basically have the same personality. WOW!

We all know that mornings suck. We all need something to get us ready for the day. For Sam, that’s some heavy metal! I love listening to Lamb of God, Mudvayne, and Megadeth on the way to work myself. You can’t beat some good metal! Sam feel’s that his best attribute is his sense of humor. Laughter is the spice of life. When I asked Sam what his most unusual habit is, he responded,”I don’t know! Haha!” Sam’s dream car is a Subaru WRX STI. If Sam could meet any one person, he would want to meet Rodrey Mullen because he basically reinvented skate boarding, and he seems like a really cool guy. Something that most people don’t know about Sam is that he is a singer song writer. Growing up, Sam wanted to be a rock star. I’m sure he still wants to be. All guys do. I want to.

One of Sam’s most fond memories is going camping with his dad in an orange orchard having “orange wars.” Sam has a very unique nickname. He goes by Squid in some circles. I wonder what the origin of the same is from. If Sam could visit one place in the world, he would want to go to Iceland. A couple of things on Sam’s bucket list are backing across Europe and go sky diving. Backpacking seems great, but why would anyone want to jump out of a perfectly good plane? One guilty pleasure he has is dousing all of his food in Sriracha! We have all had our Sriracha love affairs. Sam’s first celebrity crush was Jennifer Anniston. Good choice! Jennifer Aniston is STILL a stunner to this day! The best piece of advice he has ever received was, “You are who you hang out with.” You are only as good as the company you keep is one of the greatest adages of all-time. Sam’s first job was working at Taco Bell. Yum! Finally, if Sam could have one super power, he would want the power of teleportation! Imagine not having to EVER pay for travel expenses and never having to sit in traffic.

That’s it for this week’s Meet The Staff! Stop by next week to find out more about our wonderful staff!