The competitive business of recruiting pro Santas

[Drosselmeyer 1,747]

The competitive business of recruiting pro Santas

The professional Santa business can be cutthroat and demanding — and sometimes, it takes an agent to guide the sleigh.

BY ZACHARY CROCKETT

DECEMBER 15, 2018

The Hustle

 

EXCERPT:

 

Eight years ago, Kelly Ferrell, a 51-year-old retired cop, was sitting on a bench at a shopping mall in Texas when he was approached by an unfamiliar woman.

“Pardon me, sir,” she implored, “but have you ever considered… being Santa Claus?”

Ferrell certainly looked the part: Since stepping down from the force, he’d grown a “big ‘ol white beard.” He was a little on the heavier-set side, with rosy cheeks and kind eyes He had, the woman said, the potential for greatness.

And so, Ferrell “became” Santa — not by the grace of self-determination or the Spirit of Christmas, but the keen eye of a Santa scout.

Beneath its wholesome exterior, the professional Santa business is a complex, occasionally cutthroat industry, where top performers are sought after much like professional athletes. But once you’re in the minor leagues, how do you learn the ropes? How do you navigate the business side of things, or negotiate contracts?

You get a Santa agent.

The Santa industrial complex

As it turned out, the woman who approached Ferrell worked for the Noerr Corporation (now Cherry Hill), a Santa training and staffing agency.

“I call them Santa wranglers,” says Ferrell. “They hang out at malls or other populated areas and throw their pitch at every white-bearded guy who comes through. They really beat the bushes to find us.”

Intrigued by the adventure of it all, Ferrell agreed to give it a shot.

SOURCE   https://thehustle.co/professional-santa-claus-business

Edited December 19, 2018 by Michael Rielly
edited for new formatting

[Felix Estridge 5,085]

I find it odd and perplexing that in this story, Mitchell Allen is a traditional bearded Santa yet he promotes the RBS-over-TBS mentality.  The conclusion I get is that it is more about the money than the heart.

[Drosselmeyer 1,747]

16 minutes ago, Felix Estridge said:

I find it odd and perplexing that in this story, Mitchell Allen is a traditional bearded Santa yet he promotes the RBS-over-TBS mentality.  The conclusion I get is that it is more about the money than the heart.

my brother in law sent me this article this morning - from one of the business sites he visits - this reads to me that it is all about "the business" - not much heart at all 😢

[Michael Rielly 6,956]

I absolutely HATE what some people are turning the tradition of portraying Santa Claus into...

[Atlantic Santa 83]

2 hours ago, Felix Estridge said:

I find it odd and perplexing that in this story, Mitchell Allen is a traditional bearded Santa yet he promotes the RBS-over-TBS mentality.  The conclusion I get is that it is more about the money than the heart.

Yes I agree so as a TBS I suppose he wouldn't hire me.

 I made an appearance recently at a children's party put on by a local non profit business that employees mentally challenged adults. This was for their staff's children not the clients, however I was hired site unseen and at the recommendation of a board member. As Mrs. Claus and I were getting ready to Leave the CEO could not say enough nice things and booked us on the spot for both the Client party and the children's party. The funny thing was that at no time did she say anything about being a TBS versus an RBS. " OOOPs sorry I'd like to hire you but you don't have a real beard........"

 

 

[Michael Rielly 6,956]

4 hours ago, Felix Estridge said:

I find it odd and perplexing that in this story, Mitchell Allen is a traditional bearded Santa yet he promotes the RBS-over-TBS mentality.  The conclusion I get is that it is more about the money than the heart.

Interestingly enough, he refers to himself as a "real beard Santa".

He also voted himself Santa of the Year at one point.

[Nick Hudson 2,017]

changed my.mine

Edited December 19, 2018 by Nick Hudson

[rdpugh 709]

Of course according to this article you can't find work as a Santa without an agent, you can't negotiate a contract without an agent.  Interesting.  I work on my own and have no problems.

[Santa Bill Reiller 1,018]

I do not have an "agent" and probably never will especialy him.   It is not about the $$$$

[SCSanta 4,635]

9 hours ago, Michael Rielly said:

Interestingly enough, he refers to himself as a "real beard Santa".

He also voted himself Santa of the Year at one point.

I demand a recount!

[Michael Rielly 6,956]

7 hours ago, SCSanta said:

I demand a recount!

It would still be there same count: 1

[Atlantic Santa 83]

"Dallas Real Bearded Santa Claus for Hire

Are you looking for a Real Bearded Santa Claus to create a one of a kind advertising project on TV or in print?  A true Santa entertainer to WOW a large company or community?  Or are you looking for a genuine Santa Claus that will convince the most skeptical  child that Santa Claus is real?"

"Santa Claus Allen is a true Santa Claus entertainer.  All of his beards are made with real hair.  They are theatrical quality and appear to be growing from Santa’s face at 6 feet or 6 inches.  Several professional photographers have asked how long it took for the genuine Santa Claus’ beard to grow.  His beard and wig are glued on using the same techniques that Hollywood and Broadway have been using for years."

 

So based on the above quote from his web site does this mean that if I switch from my Lacey 700 set to a Yak hair or better yet a human hair wig that I can then advertise as an RBS and maybe even join that group................to me this is false advertising. I can't believe the content in his personal web site.

Sorry but this type of stuff really bothers me. I am sure there are Santa's on his team that are very good and may even be part of ClausNet but as a leader you set the example...this to me is teaching his people the wrong message. It's not all about you.....it's about the character you portrait and the spirit of Christmas.........Not that I have to explain that to those members in here.

Thank you Michael Reilly and the other leaders here in Clausnet who are a shining example of what it means to take on the role and responsibility that we all share.

 

 

Edited December 20, 2018 by Atlantic Santa

[Santa Peter 248]

like someone else said , it what is in your heart not on ur face that makes you the better Santa 

[Michael Rielly 6,956]

2 hours ago, Atlantic Santa said:

"Dallas Real Bearded Santa Claus for Hire

Are you looking for a Real Bearded Santa Claus to create a one of a kind advertising project on TV or in print?  A true Santa entertainer to WOW a large company or community?  Or are you looking for a genuine Santa Claus that will convince the most skeptical  child that Santa Claus is real?"

"Santa Claus Allen is a true Santa Claus entertainer.  All of his beards are made with real hair.  They are theatrical quality and appear to be growing from Santa’s face at 6 feet or 6 inches.  Several professional photographers have asked how long it took for the genuine Santa Claus’ beard to grow.  His beard and wig are glued on using the same techniques that Hollywood and Broadway have been using for years."

 

So based on the above quote from his web site does this mean that if I switch from my Lacey 700 set to a Yak hair or better yet a human hair wig that I can then advertise as an RBS and maybe even join that group................to me this is false advertising. I can't believe the content in his personal web site.

Sorry but this type of stuff really bothers me. I am sure there are Santa's on his team that are very good and may even be part of ClausNet but as a leader you set the example...this to me is teaching his people the wrong message. It's not all about you.....it's about the character you portrait and the spirit of Christmas.........Not that I have to explain that to those members in here.

Thank you Michael Reilly and the other leaders here in Clausnet who are a shining example of what it means to take on the role and responsibility that we all share.

 

 

Almost every gig I am at, people believe my beard is actually growing out of my face. I have never promoted myself as a RBS. In fact I coined the term "Traditional Santa Claus" for this very reason. I am not a "designer Santa". But I am, in every way a very Traditional  Santa Claus performer.