A Family Business Built on Vision, Fun, and Connection

Ryan Schoel didn’t simply buy The Costume Shoppe—he transformed it with a personal mission. Before taking ownership in 2016, Ryan spent years as a supplier, selling costumes to shops across Western Canada, with The Costume Shoppe as one of his key clients. When Margot, the former owner, suggested he buy the business, it meant more to him than a simple career move, it was a chance to stay connected to what matters most: his family.

“I had been travelling for work all the time,” Ryan recalls. “When I was asked to take over, I thought, ‘This could keep me closer to my wife and boys.’ They were teenagers, and I knew I wanted to be there for them during the school year.”

Taking the reins of The Costume Shoppe became a family affair. “My sons started working here, and it’s become something we’ve built together. It’s more than just a store—it’s part of our lives,” he says. Today, The Costume Shoppe is a bustling hub of creativity, serving customers from all over the world with costumes for every occasion.

For Ryan, running The Costume Shoppe is about creating an experience and connecting with staff and customers. “People come into the store, try something on, have a laugh, and walk out with a great memory.”

Year-Round Fun: The Costume Shoppe’s Global Reach and Speedy Shipping

What sets The Costume Shoppe apart is its variety and dedication to customer satisfaction—whether you’re shopping online or visiting the Calgary store. “Everything you see on our website is 100% in stock and available in-store. No guessing games, no back-orders. If it’s online, it’s ready to ship or be picked up” Ryan explains.

Ryan is proud of the store’s fast and reliable shipping process, which helps them deliver costumes worldwide. “Place an order before 2:00 PM Mountain Time, and we’ll ship it the same day. We can get most items to most places within 1 to 7 business days, and we’re happy to quote more accurate shipping times for anyone who calls.”

And while The Costume Shoppe has become known as a Halloween destination, Ryan emphasizes that the store’s magic doesn’t disappear after October. “We’re here all year long. There’s always a reason to have fun.” From Santa suits and Mrs. Claus outfits for Christmas to masquerade attire for New Year’s Eve galas, Oktoberfest, and birthday party costumes, The Costume Shoppe has something for every occasion.

Creativity and Innovation: Pushing the Boundaries of Costuming

Ryan’s innovative leadership shines in how he’s expanded The Costume Shoppe beyond traditional costumes. “We love getting creative with what we offer,” he explains. “This year, we brought in pickleball racket and pickleball ball costumes. The sport is blowing up, so why not have fun with it? And if you’ve got a third wheel, they can go as an actual pickle,” he says, laughing.

Beyond Halloween, The Costume Shoppe has become the go-to destination for themed parties, corporate events, and charity galas. “We’re always thinking about what’s next. For 2024, we’ve brought in rock-paper-scissors ‘thruple’ costumes and some pretty creative couples’ outfits.”

But Ryan doesn’t shy away from acknowledging the hard work involved. “Halloween is a critical time for us, and we’re pulling out all the stops to make it the best season yet,” he says. “I’m on day 30 of 70 straight without a day off, but when you’re passionate about what you do, you give it everything you’ve got. That’s what it takes to keep the momentum going, and I’m proud of what we’re doing.”

TEC Canada Membership: Finding the Right Support System for Growth

Navigating the seasonal highs and lows of the costume business is no easy task, and Ryan has relied on TEC Canada to help guide his leadership. “I’ve always had business coaches, but TEC is different. I needed accountability and real feedback from people who had been through tough business situations, and TEC Canada gives me that.”

Ryan initially considered building his own accountability group but quickly realized it was a bigger job than he expected. “Personally and in business, I thought, ‘I need an accountability group.’ So I started reaching out to my friends who own businesses and said, ‘Hey, do you want to do this?’ They were like, ‘Yeah, great idea! Organize it and come to us with a framework.’ But then I realized, wait a minute, this is becoming a whole other job,” Ryan recalls, laughing. “I said, ‘I can’t be reinventing the wheel; this has to be out there.’ So, I started Googling and found two major players, one of them being TEC Canada. They reached out faster and followed through on what they said they were going to do, and that’s how I ended up with TEC. It just felt right.”

Navigating Tough Decisions with TEC Canada’s Guidance

When it came to making some of the hardest decisions in his career, Ryan leaned heavily on the support of his TEC Chair, Deb Milimaka Miles, and his peer group. “I was dealing with an employee crisis—there were issues in the store, and I knew deep down that I had to make a tough decision. Deb listened intently and helped me face it head-on. She and the group reinforced what I already knew but didn’t want to act on. Deb’s background is in HR, so this was her wheelhouse, and she was direct with me—‘This is what you need to do,’ she said. When I hesitated, she didn’t let me off the hook. ‘No, you have to do this,’ she insisted,” and she was right!

Ryan struggled with the emotional weight of laying someone off. “I really didn’t want to do it—it was a decision that kept me up at night. Deb helped me not only follow through but supported me emotionally through the process. She kept me in line and made sure I did things the right way,” he recalls. “Laying someone off is never easy, and I still wish there was another way to handle it. But I know it was the right decision—for the company and for me.”

Ryan’s experience highlights how TEC Canada offers more than just business advice—it provides a space for leaders to confront difficult decisions with the support of peers who have been through similar challenges. “You don’t need to stub your toe just to prove a point,” Ryan says with a grin. “Someone else already stubbed theirs, so why not learn from them? TEC Canada is all about sharing those hard-learned lessons, so you don’t have to make the same mistakes.”

“You Don’t Need to Reinvent the Wheel”

Ryan Schoel’s journey with The Costume Shoppe is a testament to the power of resilient leadership, community support, and learning from others. For business leaders seeking personal and professional growth, TEC Canada offers unparalleled opportunities to connect with peers, gain fresh perspectives, and tackle the complexities of entrepreneurship with confidence.

As Ryan says: “You don’t need to reinvent the wheel. TEC Canada gives you access to people who have already been where you are. And that can make all the difference.”