realestate

From suit to costume: A high-stakes Halloween transformation

Every year, Ash Parker sends a "Happy Halloween" email with an elaborate costume, worn all day on October 31st.

A
sh Parker, a senior vice president at Richard Bowers & Company, has been sending his coworkers and friends a Halloween email every year since he was in his 20s. The email features an elaborate costume that never fails to amaze, and it's become a beloved tradition for over 3,000 people. What's remarkable is that Parker wears the same costume all day, even though his job as a commercial real estate broker typically requires a more professional attire.

    Parker credits his kids with helping him develop a passion for Halloween costumes. He'd been indifferent about dressing up in his younger years but found their enthusiasm infectious. His first year of dressing up was as Colonel Sanders, followed by Yoda the next year. However, it wasn't until he dressed up as Slash from Guns N' Roses that he felt uncomfortable and nervous.

    That experience taught Parker a valuable lesson: taking on a different persona for the day can be an informative experience. He's gained insight into the human experience and learned to be more nonjudgmental and open-minded. His coworkers, including attorney Jon Erickson, eagerly anticipate Parker's annual Halloween visit and look forward to seeing what creative costume he'll come up with next.

    Parker begins planning his costumes as soon as Halloween is over, often taking inspiration from movies or music icons. He creates elaborate prosthetics and ensembles himself, storing them neatly in his home for future use. His Halloween email blast is always themed accordingly, featuring pictures of him in character.

    In Parker's neighborhood, a block party is held every year on Halloween, where the kids parade down the street to show off their costumes. Three years ago, Parker was honored when parents asked him to lead the parade as an empty nester. He takes pride in being a leader and a source of inspiration for his community.

    As for this year's costume, Parker has revealed that he'll be dressing up as Beetlejuice, breaking the tradition of keeping it a secret until Halloween. However, he plans to wear other costumes throughout the month of October, assuming different personas for every occasion.

Businessman transforms into elaborate Halloween costume in dramatic before-and-after photo shoot.