After being laid off from her corporate job in June, Maggie Bodner decided to embrace her love for Halloween by working at Spirit Halloween in Fort Lauderdale.
A longtime enthusiast who visited the store multiple times a week, Bodner applied for both assistant manager and sales associate positions. Within weeks, she was hired, joining a team that was still setting up the store.
Spirit Halloween Assistant Manager Shares Post‑Layoff Journey
For Bodner, the job has been a source of joy and energy during a stressful time. She volunteers for long shifts, enjoys working with her colleagues, and delights in the in‑store haunted house experience.
Customers often line up before opening, eager to see new merchandise. Bodner says Spirit hires people who genuinely love Halloween, and she appreciates the 30% employee discount that fuels her passion for costumes and décor.
Though she continues to apply for corporate roles, Bodner values the empathy and perspective this experience has given her. She now understands how layoffs can happen to anyone, regardless of value.
For her, Spirit Halloween is more than seasonal work — it’s a reminder to focus on the present and find joy in what you love, even while navigating uncertainty.
