Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend - Scents and Sensibility

Episode Date: January 1, 2026

Conan talks to Sandra from Lakewood, CA about running a perfume shop and tips for getting a TikTok to go viral. Wanna get a chance to talk to Conan? Submit here: teamcoco.com/apply Get access to all the podcasts you love, music channels and radio shows with the SiriusXM App! Get 3 months free using this show link: https://siriusxm.com/conan. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Conan O'Brien needs a fan. Want to talk to Conan? Visit team cocoa.com slash call Conan. Okay, let's get started. Hi, Sandra. Welcome to Conan O'Brien needs a fan. Hi, oh my gosh. I'm so excited to be here.

Hi, Sandra. How are you? I'm doing so well, Conan. How are you? I'm good. First question, where are you? I never know where in the world anybody is. Where are you?

Right now, I'm in Lakewood. I have a perfume shop in Huntington Beach, and I spend almost on my time in Huntington Beach. My sister lives in Huntington Beach. You're in California. Yeah. Yeah, gotcha. I'm sorry. You said something, Matt?

Just that my sister lives in Huntington Beach. Do you know her? I don't know her name, but I probably know her. Her name is Greta Gorely. Greta Gorely. It's Jenny. Yeah, I just talked to her yesterday at Trader Jones. Yeah.

She wanders around. She wears around. She wears really thick sand. And she says, I am Greta. Sandra, I apologize. I think we got off to a little bit of a foolish start, and that never happens here. These are my compatriots, of course.

You're probably familiar with if you're a fan. That's Sona, and that's Matt, brother of Greta, Gourley. And tell us a little bit about yourself. What do you do? So I quit my engineering job two years ago to start a perfume shop, a beauty shop. So that was, like, my dream. And I was one of those people during COVID who, like, life slowed down,

and I pursued what I really wanted to do. So you make sense. Is that right? I sell perfume and skin care makeup. Good for you. And so you were an engineer. You trained as an engineer. You were working as an engineer.

And one day you said, I'm done. I want to start making sense, which is a play on the old Talking Heads album. No, I think that's actually very good. And Sandra, I can see, I mean, you're not laughing, but I know on the inside this is killing with you. It was so quiet. You said that and it was so quiet.

It was a kind of quiet you only hear in very deep space. Respond. So this is something you've been thinking about your whole life is making perfumes and skin care products? I always loved it. I didn't realize it could be a career. I just thought engineering was a career. And then beauty products, you just like it on the side.

I didn't realize I could actually partake in it. Yeah. So let's talk about it. What are you making? I mean, some of the products that you're making, are these products that I would use? Could I use your products? Yeah. a shop. So I sell, I have brand partners, so I sell a lot of great perfume brands and other

skincare brands, too. Do you think that she makes everything, like all the makeup and stuff? Is that what? I was thinking, I thought that maybe she's got a lab and she's mixing. I did too. You know. Oh, you did? I just thought she said she's an engineer. Oh, I just thought she like found a perfume that she liked and sold it in her shop. Well, I didn't think that. I actually thought, oh, she's an engineer. She's she's got this science background. She's probably putting bits of skunk into a blender and making a perfume or whale vomit, ambergris, you know, and she's taking various herbs and seeds

and doing all these experiments long as the night. That's what I thought, Sandra, and now I'm finding out that you just, you go to a drugstore, you buy some jupe, and then you sell it. No, no. A lot of really smart people have perfumeries that do that. And I think what I really liked was I was one of the early adopters onto TikTok shop. So within six months of TikTok shop founding, I got on that.

I made like three videos a day just sharing perfumes and their sense and trying to find the right fit for people, making videos in my car. You know, so. Why were you making videos in your car? The algorithm, Conan. Oh, what? You know what? I've decided in the modern era all you have to answer to any question is the algorithm yeah you know why did you get coffee ice cream the algorithm Sandra yeah so um the the TikTok algorithm likes it if you're in your car is that true that's correct oh this is trial and error but then weird just with the car background it just gets more reviews you want to respond to a comment that also helps get views

I wonder if that's because it looks intimate but also urgent like you're going someplace there must be something that plays into our sense that this is important if this person is giving me this message in a car, is the car moving? I hope not.

I think it would be really urgent and get a lot of clicks if you were in a very fast moving car. Like an F1 car. Yeah, F1 car and you were going at maybe, I'm just going to say, 160 miles an hour.

Should we do the podcast that way? All three of us in an F1? No. Yes, one really wide-bodied F-1. We're all together. You just see our heads rocketing around with helmets on. So, okay, I want to get into, that's interesting, be in a moving car. What are the other rules for making a successful TikTok video that gets people to buy your product besides a moving car?

Yeah, yeah, great question. I think it's a big part. part is the hook, 80% of the work, the first like two, three seconds, you want to, you want to grab them. So like, you know, never buy this perfume. If you buy this perfume, you're going to regret it because it's going to make all the guys cheat on their wives. Because they won't stop smelling you. Just like, hook them in, you know, do a little twist and then. So, I mean, good hooks would be, um, there's a meteor coming. There's one place to hide. And then you're like, Wait, what? What? Where do I hide?

No need to hide if you're wearing this perfume. So you get them with an urgent message first. Is that right? Yeah, yeah, you're really fast, yeah. Yeah, I think I could do that. We should start doing that. These are things we could, okay, from now on on the podcast, it's the three of us in an F1. Every podcast doesn't start with, hi, I'm blank, and I want to be Conan O'Brien's friend. We're not doing that shit anymore. It's your house is on fire, but I can stop.

it. And then you're like, wait, what? How do you're going to, wait, where's my house on fire? How can I stop it? Well, today we have Ike Berenholtz. And we're going to talk about comedy improv. And Sona's going to tell a story about the time that she stayed out really late and had too much to drink a bunch of years ago when she was irresponsible. Nice. Yeah. Yeah. Okay, well, this is good. I'm learning things. And then how do you end a TikTok video?

What do you do? What's the way to end it appropriately? They all ended a car crash. Yes, they are going to when the car is moving in an F1. But before we die, click the click. Oh, no, Sandra. No, no, sorry. That was dark. I'm so sorry.

That's inappropriate. Yeah, but they got to make the purchase. No, they really can't. You can buy the, you can buy right on TikTok shop. And usually there's like, there's a timer, there's an exclusive deal. It depends on how you do it. If you have like a perfume channel and you're more for the long-term views, you might play things differently.

So we try this right now. I'm in an F1 with these two idiots. We're going at 160 miles an hour. You know, and this, wow. What is that a wank? engine from the 1970s. Yeah, a rotary winkle. That's a rotary wankle.

I can't mind being in an F1. Yeah, you're doing it right now. Is that how it is? And then it's this thing starts. And I just say, I have gold. Do you want some? That's what I'm saying when we're going 160 miles an hour. I have gold.

Do you want some? And then, hey, today it's like Barronholz. We're going to talk about comedy. Well, that's all I have for today. The key bus sees the podcast. Uh, or, or, uh, you'll be buried in cement. Ah! Is that, that's, that, that what you're talking about?

But the, the, the, the, the, the, the, press, press this button, you know, like, uh, comment, comment, hey, or something. God, I'm sorry. Can I say something? Senator, I really like you, but you have, you're terrible at being urgent. You just don't have an urgent vibe. I always have an urgent. vibe and you saying come on just click or you don't have to but maybe click the thing i'll i'll work on it

i'll work on it i'm i're unique they're different angles i understand you might have an idea for some sense for the three of us i do yeah yeah and and they're they're they're unique they're different angles. Matt, I'll start with you. I really like your last name. Oh, thank you. It's my sister's last name, too. Whoa, that's crazy, Greta.

Good old Greta Gorely. You're like super nice and clean cut, and I feel like we should have something that sort of clashes with that and brings some interest. So there's a perfume. Yeah, Dracar. There's a perfume. That's what I wore in high school. It was?

Were you Armenian? I was, just in high school. So you wore a scent in high school, man? I wore a cologne in high school, yeah, for like a year. I went from Dracar to Farenthood. And then they let you out of the locker. No, they never did. I had to chew my way out.

They said, you can come out now, but you put that scent on again and we'll pound you, nerd. Okay. Sorry, go ahead, Sandh. So what's the scent you're thinking of for Matt? Okay. It's a scent called A City on Fire by Imaginary Authors. It's very like burnt matches, like a fire gone wrong. It's Cormac McCarthy-like.

It's very dark and moody and smoky. Can I just put matches out on him? Okay. Fun's fun, guys. All right, we're having a good time. Okay, okay. And then I'll stick them in a locker. Okay.

Got you some burnt next night. Okay, we're having some fun. All right, but nothing will get done in student government if I'm in there, okay? You're right. You're right. You're right. If he has to stop and put on ointments, we'll never get this student government form. But does this line of fragrance truly exist?

Are you making this up? Yeah, yeah. This is at my perfume shop. There's a Cormac McCarthy inspired fragrance? Correct. I tie it to Cormac McCarthy. Oh, okay. I thought the slogan was, um,

smell the way he wrote. That's a good one. I'll tell that to my customers. Charred baby. Oh, man. Look, I didn't write it. It was rough. Poor Mac Daddy.

That's me. Nice, there you go. Sona, that was a good one. I'm going to give you something. I know, it was a good one. Thank you. No, it's not overdo it. I was being polite.

Okay, what would Sona's scent be? So, Sona, I thought you would go with something like, clean, a little edgy, not too floral and girly, but just, like, luxurious and not too much. So I thought in a matte amber oil, it's like a perfume oil. You put on your hot spots. That's what I do. I do oils. Hot spots. Yeah. Wait, what is this? No call. I'm writing it down. Wait, you apply oils, Sona? I do. I'm an oil person. I don't, I don't go fistfuss. I do a roll, and then I put it on my, my spots. You know what kind of, what's, what's, what's, what? What's, you know, what's, what? What oils are you using these days?

Right now I'm using one that's actually, it's called California, and it's by, ah, it's a white bottle. I don't know. Oh, yeah, it's by Carson McCullors. Yeah. LeMatt or Matt? Like Matt.

N-M-A-M-A-T. This is very interesting. I'm thinking about this. So, Sona, because sometimes I notice that you have, like, oil, on you, but I didn't, I thought those were naturally occurring oils. I didn't know that that's something you're applying. I don't put it a lot on where you, like, look at me and you're like, look at that oily, bitch.

It's like, it's, I am oily, like my face. I said that to you once. I said that to you once, and it was just me showing concern. It's, it's an oil. It just absorbs in your skin, and it's not as strong as, right? Am I saying this right, Sandra? It's not as strong as like a fos-fuss-kind of spray. It's a roll-on spray, and then it just absorbs, and it's just there.

So it's not overpowering. Yeah, yeah, no fosfews. Just rub, rub. Yeah. Any splort, splort? Take it easy, Matt. Oh, no. Okay, well, we've handled those two.

I think they're all set. And now, this is important. I'm a figure who's out in the world. A man of various affairs, a man of note. What should I be wearing, Sandra? All right, Conan, you got your leather jackets, the bombers, the plaid. I'm thinking something cowboy Western.

You're representing the U.S. when you travel. Yeah. Is this like a Ralph Laurenne Cowboy Sheik thing? Hell yeah. Exactly. Wow, that's very cool. It's called the Yellowstone Ridge Cologne. Ooh.

It's very western sage tobacco whiskey. Like, you'll be a little cooler, Conan. I mean, you're already super cool. Yeah. Yeah. It's like how does a satellite get higher, you know, but. Yeah, there's room in this locker, buddy. Come on in.

Yeah. So Yellowstone Ridge Cologne, and who makes it? Kevin Costner. That's by True Western. I don't have this one yet, but I need to get this for you. Because I want to wear it, I want to wear it over the holidays. Oh. Yeah, I want my Carverick-McCarthy, like, dystopian hellscape one.

I'll take my oil, too. No matter. No, no, I don't want your oil, son. The other two you could get on my site. But for you, Conan, you'd go on True Western, their website. True Western. What's your site? What's your site, Sandra?

It's WeH-H-I-T-P-A-N, like you're hitting a Pan. Hey, Sandra, quick question. Is one of the rules that you learned besides show urgency and shoot it in your car? Also, dup popular podcast into talking about your site? Is that something? She's not even a listener Are you even a fan of Conan? You don't care about us at all.

You just look at Sona. So tell us what is it? Oh, here it is. We're all going to buy this since she talked about too. She did call you Jimmy Fallon earlier. Yeah. No, no, no. Oh, wow, it's really great.

Sandra, come on. You just completely, you don't care about me at all. You don't even know who I am. You said, hey, that lady's got a podcast. I was prompted You kept asking It's like where to get it And so I was like

Oh I guess I have to mention this Listen I know what you did You played me like a cello And And you know what Game recognizes game Yeah And I applaud you

Because what you did was beautiful And our next podcast guest Is from Muzzie Ford In Nita Massachusetts He wants to talk to us about the finest car on the road and where you can get it, Muzzy Ford. Oh, I thought that was real for a second. Yeah, Sandra, do you...

Well, that's the mind frame you're in. Sandra, is there any way I can help you? Because we're just about out of time. Is there anything I can do for you? Because you seem genuinely nice. You're clearly very good at manipulating people in the media. What can I do for you? Yes.

It has nothing to do with me. But Jordan Slansky did a review of a 1977 Darth Vader helmet nine years ago. And I was wondering if you could do a review on the case that he was waiting for. Okay. I don't think I even remember the case. It hadn't come yet. Oh, it hadn't come yet? Has it shown up since?

This was nine years ago? Correct. If I know Jordan, he's still pacing around the UPS store, angrily asking questions about the case. for his Darth Vader helmet. I don't know. I wish I could get a look at this case. I wish I had that case in my hands so I could smash it, the way Harrison Ford smashed his Millennium Falcon made of Legos.

I would like nothing more than to do that. I could find out from Jordan, so I can't give a review right now, but I think I probably could. Hey, if you're an incredible nerd to the 10th, power, you've got to have this special case for your limited edition Darth Vader helmet. What's that?

Do you have a case for your Darth Vader stuff? I don't have a Darth Vader helmet. I don't believe you. But I have the case. Oh, you thought Jordan was there? No, I don't. I did. I thought Jordan was there. Oh my God, do you see what happened? Sandra just thought that Jordan was in the room because she couldn't see on the screen

and she saw Sona point and say, do you have a Darth Vader helmet? Sandra, you should see her reaction. She puts her hands to her mouth and freaks. Oh. Because her, you love Jordan Slansky, don't you? I don't know what I was going on because Jordan Slansky was here. Oh.

That's the biggest insult you tricked me into promoting your site and your videos. And now you say I'm only here because of Jordan Slansky and his Darth Vader helmet case? No, no. I'm here for you, Conan. Oh. That was the worst. She didn't even look at you when she said it. Oh, my God.

I'm going to walk to the nearest cliff, and like a romantic hero of the 18th century, I'll jump off into the waves. No, I won't. Well, I'm going to get this. I'm going to get Yellowstone Ridge Cologne from True Western. And just tell me how I apply, because I honestly don't know. You said hot spots. I'm not even sure I have them. Where are they on the body?

Yeah, it just releases heat more than other parts, so that area and your wrist. We're on a podcast, so let's say the crook of the arm, you know? Yes. The bend in the arm. Yes, exactly. Even the bend in your knee behind there. Really? Does anyone ever do low, low back or anything like that?

What? I haven't heard that before. My bottom gets very warm. Oh, you. Yeah. This is a call I used to make This is a call I used to make at random in the 80s I used to call them random people

And when they would pick up I'd go My bottom gets very warm And then I'd hang up I did four years in jail Your TikTok videos like that Yes! There you go, driving in an F1 My bottom gets very warm Okay, this is

Everybody needs a friend All right, so in the crook of the arm And what about, do you put them on your neck? You put a little scent on your neck or no On either side And then do not rub The perfume community will go after you if you rub. Oh, I'm a rubber.

The oils, I think you can because it's just the base note. But like an alcohol perfume, there's a top note, a middle note, a base note, and you want it to go through the stages without messing with it. And when you press the molecules together, it'll mess up the notes. I hate pressing molecules together. Okay, Sandra, very nice talking to you. You seem like a lovely person. And I do wish you well with your business.

We hit Pan. And I think you're providing a good service. And you know what? I'm glad if you weren't happy with your job before, I'm glad that you found something that makes you happy. That's the whole trick in life is find something you love doing and then somehow turn that into a job. I really believe that.

Thank you so much. Yeah, I appreciate it, guys. Okay. I'm sending Jordan to your house with a Darth Vader helmet. He's headed over. right now on a festival. Don't tease me. I'm sorry.

Yeah, exactly. Just calm down. Calm down, lady. Calm down. Your dream's going to come true. All right, take care. Thank you so much for calling in. Bye, Sandra.

Thank you. Bye. Conan O'Brien needs a fan. With Conan O'Brien, Sonam of Sessian, and Matt Gourley. Produced by me, Matt Gourley. Executive produced by Adam Sacks, Jeff Ross, and Nick Lea. Incidental music by Jimmy Vivino. away, Jimmy.

Supervising producer Aaron Blair. Associate talent producer Jennifer Samples. Associate producers Sean Doherty and Lisa Burm. Engineering by Eduardo Perez. Get three free months of SiriusXM when you sign up at SiriusXM.com slash Conan. Please rate, review, and subscribe to Conan O'Brien needs a fan wherever fine podcasts are done.

Thank you.