Every July, Calgary goes full Stampede mode. Pancake breakfasts at 7am. Cowboy hats in the office. Everyone’s inner cowboy comes out for ten days.
And me? I don’t do anything halfway.
Over the years, I’ve shown up as the Lone Ranger, a rodeo clown, Woody from Toy Story, Larry the Cable Guy, and yes—Howdy Doody.
My colleagues think I’m nuts. Some clients probably wonder what they got themselves into. But here’s what I’ve learned: those ridiculous costumes taught me more about building real business relationships than any networking seminar ever could.
That Time I Made My Boss Say “Nooooooo”
Back in 2013, Global News reached out. They wanted to film people showing Stampede spirit around the city.
I thought, “Sure, I can do that.”
What I actually did was show up with multiple costumes. The rodeo clown. The Lone Ranger. A few other looks I’m still not sure how to describe.
We filmed for hours. They put together a segment. It aired on the evening news.
My boss was watching at home. According to everyone who saw it happen, he went “Nooooooooooo…” in slow motion as my face appeared on screen in full clown makeup.
I still laugh about it. He probably doesn’t.
But here’s what’s wild—that segment got me more business conversations than any LinkedIn post I’d written that year.
Six Thousand People Were Watching
A few weeks ago, I posted some throwback photos from those Stampede years and ran a poll. Which costume should I bring back in 2026?
Over 6,000 people saw it. The rodeo clown won with 27% of the vote.
Six thousand impressions. On a post about costumes from ten years ago.
Why? Because people remember when you’re actually yourself.
There are a million recruiters out there with polished headshots and the same generic LinkedIn copy. “Passionate about people.” “Helping companies grow.” You’ve seen it.
But there’s only one recruiter dressed as Howdy Doody at a pancake breakfast.
People Work with People They Remember
Here’s what I’ve figured out after years of doing this: recruitment isn’t about being the most professional-looking person in the room.
It’s about being someone people trust enough to have real conversations with.
When I show up as myself—yes, sometimes in ridiculous outfits—it gives other people permission to be themselves too. Candidates tell me what they’re actually looking for, not just what they think I want to hear. Clients are honest about their culture, even the messy parts.
That honesty? That’s where good matches happen.
I’m not saying you need to dress up like Woody. But I am saying that hiding who you are doesn’t build trust. It just makes everything feel transactional.
And personality still matters more than people think.
The Line Between Fun and Unprofessional
Look, I get it. Some people worry that showing too much personality makes you look unprofessional.
Fair concern.
But there’s a difference between being authentic and being inappropriate.
A rodeo clown costume at Stampede? That’s Calgary culture. That’s showing I get where I live and work.
A rodeo clown costume at a boardroom presentation? That’s… a different choice.
You can be real without being ridiculous. Well, most of the time.
The point isn’t the costume. It’s about not pretending to be someone you’re not just because you think that’s what business is supposed to look like.
What Works Better Than Perfect
The business relationships I value most didn’t come from having the best website or the smoothest pitch.
They came from being honest. From showing up consistently as the same person. From letting people see that I actually care about getting it right, not just getting it done.
Sometimes that means admitting I made a mistake. Sometimes it means being the one who asks the uncomfortable question. And sometimes it means wearing a Lone Ranger costume to a pancake breakfast.
All of it builds trust. And trust is what makes successful hires happen.
Why Relationships Beat Everything Else
In recruitment, you can have all the technology, all the databases, all the LinkedIn Premium features.
But if people don’t trust you, none of it matters.
Candidates need to trust you’re not going to waste their time. Clients need to trust you understand what they actually need, not just what’s in the job description. Everyone needs to know you’ll tell them the truth, even when it’s not what they want to hear.
That trust doesn’t come from being polished. It comes from being real.
What Those Costumes Actually Mean
Those Stampede outfits aren’t just about having fun during Calgary’s biggest party.
They’re a statement: This is who I am. I’m not going to pretend to be more corporate or more serious or more anything just because that’s what you expect a recruiter to be.
And when you show up like that—fully yourself—other people relax. They stop performing too. And that’s when real conversations happen.
In this business, authenticity in professional relationships isn’t just nice to have. It’s everything. Building authentic professional relationships takes courage, but it’s what separates good recruiters from great ones.
Looking for a Recruiter Who’s Actually Human?
If you’re tired of working with recruiters who feel more like transaction machines than people, let’s talk.
We believe in building real relationships—cowboy hats optional.
Key Takeaways FAQs
How do you balance professionalism with personality in recruitment?
You don’t have to pick one. Being professional means doing good work and following through. Having personality just means people actually remember working with you. The best relationships have both.
Won’t being “too much” hurt my credibility in a conservative industry?
There’s being yourself and then there’s being inappropriate—know the difference. Even in conservative industries, people want to work with humans they trust. You don’t have to wear costumes, but you also don’t have to be a robot.
What if my personality isn’t naturally outgoing or fun?
Authenticity isn’t about being loud. It’s about being honest. If you’re more reserved, be that. Quiet and genuine beats loud and fake every time.
How can I show authenticity without oversharing or crossing professional boundaries?
Share what connects to your work and values, not your whole life story. I share Stampede stuff because Calgary culture matters to my business. You don’t need to share everything—just enough to be real.