MEET OUR CREW
Cas Robinson - Founder + co-ceo with Richard
Born and raised in Winnipeg, Cas is not fond of the cold weather. On any given winter day, you will find her bundled up layers, shivering and asking Richard “did you turn down the heat again”. At the ripe age of 22, Cas opened up her own gently-used women’s designer shop… 2nd Apparel Boutique. Two years later while climbing the four walls she was confined too, she sold the business after securing a job with a union insurance company, American Income Life. Starting as an agent visiting families one on one selling insurance, she earned numerous awards including the distinction of being the first woman in Canada to achieve AIL’s prestigious Founders Club. In 2001 and with the gift of gab, she was recruited for the PR side of the business and started working with local, provincial and national unions implementing group policies.
With two kids growing like weeds, Richard + Cas Robinson co-founded OutGROW OutPLAY in 2008. Dylan, their little one loved hockey and with EE feet (yikes!), he constantly needed new skates and sometimes up to THREE new pairs per season. This cost a lot of moolah...so much so that Cas thought...there had to be a better way! Funny how things turn out sometimes because their past experience with 2nd Apparel lead the Robinsons down the path to creating an fun, exciting and much better way for families to sell, shop and save.
You’ll find her on any given day working on improving OGOP and mentoring Franchise Owners - she’s on-call 24/7. OGOP is her third baby, her passion and when you love what you do...it’s not work. She still dabbles (in her spare time) with AIL nurturing the relationships she’s built within organized labour over two decades.
Favourites…
Colour: Grey, but if you look in my closet, you’ll think it’s black
Quote: "Happy Wife, Happy Life!"
Food: Perogies, cabbage rolls and kolbassa
Hobby/Happy Place: 15 minutes before we start each Pre-Sale (like a relaxed Sunday morning!). The sales floor is completely spotless, organized, categorized and it’s the calm before the storm. This is “my” happy place because I spend it with our volunteers and consignors who are lined up to shop. It’s my time, where I can express how much we value and appreciate their business and all that they do for OGOP. Their excitement is the best part...love, love, love watching them explode onto the floor running for the items they want! I also love Saturday morning garage sale’n. My home is filled with amazing finds and I personally buy a ton (double garage racked, stacked and packed) of like-new children’s items to resell at our sales. Amount of money I’ve make doing this = a lot!
Pet Peeve: People who don’t say please, thank-you or acknowledge when you’ve gone out of your way for them. Manners and common courtesy are soooo important in life!
Something few people know about me: I’m a huge fan of the zombie apocalypse genre and have over 300 zombie novels on my kobo :-)
Richard Robinson - Founder + co-ceo with Cas
Growing up in a small Northern Quebec community, Rouyn- Noranda… Richards a 3x a week hockey/goalie guy who loves the cold and can not believe his wife grew up in Winnipeg! A thermostat watchdog who prefers cool vs warm and is constantly asking “who turned the heat up”. He thinks real food doesn't have labels (or need salt!) and is without a doubt...the family chef and healthy food know-it-all. After 26 years with Walmart, Richard retired and loves (and is freaky good at) merchandising, running the numbers, budgeting and maximizing profit margins. With his no-nonsense style, he works smart, works hard and has no issues holding people accountable for their actions or lack of them.
In 2004, Richard and Cas reached out to help make Christmas a little bit brighter for two dozen families who were facing hardship during the Holidays due to extended labour disputes (Strikes and lock-outs). Together they packed Christmas Food Hampers, collected toys for the kids and delivered cheer to the picket-lines. They called their efforts Operation Christmas Cheer. It was suppose to be a one time thing but it turned into so much more with the support of organized labour throughout Ontario. To date, their grassroots movement has delivered labours love annually to every union local on strike during the Holidays. Over 1500 families have received Christmas Food Hampers, toys and grocery gifts on behalf of 140 union locals, labour councils committees and individuals.
Favourites…
Colour: Black but... is that a colour?
Quote: "For every finger you point, three are pointing back"
Food: Anything pasta
Hobby/Happy Place: Cutting the grass and cooking... love making homemade pasta with my cuisinart mixer
Pet Peeve: People who speed in residential areas. I’ve been know to follow a few home and ask them to slow the “BEEP” down.
Something few people know about me: I write love notes to my wife, often and without cause.