The Economics of Everyday Things

Before a guide dog can help a blind person navigate the world, it has to pass a series of tests, then go through $75,000 worth of training. Zachary Crockett sniffs around.   * SOURCES: * Peggy Gibbon, [https://seeingeye.org/leadership/peggy-gibbon/] director of canine development at The Seeing Eye. * Charles Pat McKenna, [https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlespatmckennaesq/] assistant division director of the New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired.   * RESOURCES: * "Why Seeing Eye Dogs Are So Expensive To Breed and Train, [https://www.businessinsider.com/why-seeing-eye-dogs-are-expensive-breed-train-2024-3#:~:text=These%20dogs%20are%20essential%20to,way%20through%20the%20training%20program.]" by Abby Tang and Emily Christian (Business Insider, 2024). * "For decades, the blind have used canes to get around. Now a special wristband gives them a ‘sixth sense. [https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/innovations/wp/2017/10/27/for-decades-the-blind-have-used-canes-to-get-around-now-an-special-wrist-band-helps-them-locate-hazards/]'" by Peter Holley (Washington Post, 2017). * The Seeing Eye. [https://seeingeye.org/] * "History of Guide Dogs, [https://www.igdf.org.uk/guide-dogs/history-of-guide-dogs/]" by The International Guide Dog Federation. * "Facts and Figures [https://www.igdf.org.uk/about-us/facts-and-figures/]" by The International Guide Dog Federation.   * EXTRAS: * "Morris Frank, [https://vimeo.com/568841913/83dd5446f2]" by The International Guide Dog Foundation (Vimeo, 2021).

Behind that 70% off sign, there’s a liquidation consultant trying to maximize retailer profits. Zachary Crockett seeks a deal.   * SOURCES: * Bradley Snyder, [https://tigergroup.com/portfolio-items/bradley-w-snyder/] executive managing director at Tiger Group. * Zac Rogers, [https://biz.colostate.edu/about/directory/colostate-zsrogers] associate professor of supply chain management at Colorado State University   * RESOURCES: * "What Went Wrong: The Demise of Toys R Us, [https://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/podcast/knowledge-at-wharton-podcast/the-demise-of-toys-r-us/]" by Angie Basiouny (Knowledge at Wharton, 2018) * "Retail apocalypse 2024: All the once-popular stores and restaurants that shuttered locations this year, [https://www.fastcompany.com/91251267/retail-apocalypse-list-of-stores-restaurants-chains-closing-locations-2024]" by Sarah Bregel (Forbes, 2024) * "BBB Tip: Avoid bogus bargains at going out of business sales [https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/19651-bbb-tip-how-to-avoid-bogus-bargains-at-going-out-of-business-sales]" by Better Business Bureau (2024) * "There’s a science and art to running a going-out-of-business sale. (And business is booming.) [https://www.cnbc.com/2018/04/27/the-business-of-running-a-going-out-of-business-sale-is-booming.html]" by Courtney Reagan (CNBC, 2018)   * EXTRAS: * "I don't wanna grow up: The first day of the end of our childhoods, [https://www.rgj.com/story/money/business/2018/03/23/dont-wanna-grow-up-first-day-end-our-childhoods/453915002/]" by Mike Higdon (Reno Gazette-Journal, 2018)

Picture day is an annual tradition for American families — and, for the companies that take the photos, a lucrative one. Zachary Crockett smiles for the camera.   * SOURCES: * Ken Murphy [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenmurphy3/], C.E.O. of Lifetouch * Jeremy McColm [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-mccolm-2b23492a8/], senior manager of photography at Lifetouch   * RESOURCES: * "The money and stress and failed hairdos of school picture day, [https://www.vox.com/the-goods/2019/8/23/20829840/school-photo-self-presentation-cost-meme-lifetouch]" by Kaitlyn Tiffany (Vox, 2019) * "The School Photo Industry Is a Master Class in Drama, [https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/10/style/school-photos-costs.html]" by David Gauvey Herbert (New York Times, 2019) * "With Lifetouch Acquisition, Shutterfly Claims Leadership In Picture Memories Market, [https://www.forbes.com/sites/pamdanziger/2018/11/18/shutterfly-with-lifetouch-acquisition-stakes-claim-in-burgeoning-picture-memories-market/]" by Pamela Danziger (Forbes, 2018) * "Exclusive School Photography Agreement [https://www.vernonpublicschools.org/uploaded/Transportation/Lifetouch_District-Wide_Photography_Services_Contract_FY20-FY24.pdf]" (Vernon Public School District, 2019)   * EXTRAS: * "Money Schools Earn From Student Portraits Varies Widely, [https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/money-schools-earn-from-student-portraits-varies-widely/67572/#:~:text=Photography%20companies%20and%20schools%20share,student%20body%2C%E2%80%9D%20she%20said]" by Scott MacFarlane, Rick Yarborough, and Jeff Piper (NBC News Washington, 2016)

They're not always the nicest places to go — but for their owners, portable toilets are a lucrative revenue stream. Zachary Crockett lifts the lid.   * SOURCES: * Ron Inman [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronald-inman-b218a123/], vice president of Honey Bucket * Veronica Crosier [https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronica-crosier-19a5a615/], executive director of Portable Sanitation Association International   * RESOURCES: * "Providing Toilets for 39,000 Runners, [https://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/01/sports/othersports/01toilets.html]" by John Branch (New York Times, 2008) * "Platinum Equity-owned United Site Services weighs $4B sale – Reuters, [https://www.spglobal.com/marketintelligence/en/news-insights/latest-news-headlines/platinum-equity-owned-united-site-services-weighs-4b-sale-8211-reuters-62062344]" by Pam Rosacia (S&P Global, 2021) * "Renting Portable Units, [https://psai.org/renting-portable-units/]" by Portable Sanitation Association International * PolyJohn History [https://www.polyjohn.com/history]   * EXTRAS: * "The Porta-Potty King of New York City Faces a Threat to His Throne, [https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2019/02/charles-howard-porta-potty-king-of-nyc.html]" by David Gauvey Herbert (Intelligencer, 2019)

You can be a top model and still not get recognized on the street — as long as you keep your cuticles healthy and your moons white. Zachary Crockett points a finger.   * SOURCES: * Dani Korwin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dani-korwin-b4a83816b/], managing director of Parts Models. * Ellen Sirot [https://ellensirot.com/hand-model/], hand model.   * RESOURCES: * SAG-AFTRA Network TV Code 2024 - 2025 Extension Agreement Rates [https://www.sagaftra.org/sites/default/files/Rate%20Sheet%20-%20SAG-AFTRA%20Network%20TV%20Code%202024-2025.pdf]. * "How to Become a Hand Model [https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/become-hand-model-6394/]," by Jack Smart (Backstage, 2024). * "Meet New York’s Top Hand and Foot Model Agent (It’s a Real Thing!) [https://www.vogue.com/article/hand-foot-model-agent-dani-korwin-fashion]," by Christian Allaire (Vogue, 2021).   * EXTRAS: * "The Puffy Shirt [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AoKErz_HtGA]" S5.E2 of Seinfeld (1993).