How long have you been in the toy business?

The Red Balloon Toyshop was established in 1982 and is now in its 40th year of business. I purchased the Toyshop from my mother-in-law in 2012.

Why did you decide to work in the toy industry?

I had transitioned out of a stressful job in the foreign exchange industry and after spending a couple of years in Japan with my family, the opportunity to purchase the Toyshop from my mother-in-law presented itself.

Did you have any previous business experience?

I had helped build a retail foreign exchange business from one storefront in Victoria, BC to over 80 wholesale and retail outlets in seven countries.

What are some challenges you’ve faced?

Online sales and the necessity to create a strong social media presence have been the biggest obstacles in maintaining sales.

How have you seen the retail space change over time?

COVID has presented challenges that may change the retail landscape. Time will tell. I believe that retail will persist, but it will evolve into a hybrid online/in-person model.