Today we’d like to introduce you to Ben Benjamin.
Hi Ben, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
This will be condensed although it may not appear to be. This story is all relevant to the end game.
*4 yrs in US Army, Sargent
*Touring musician/released 3 record albums
*Head of Mfg. At local Nashville Company
*Mail carrier
*Real estate for 20 yrs
* I am a member of several Santa associations and continue to be a mentor to others new to the craft.
I have drawn from all of these past experiences to provide an insightful, engaging and educational way of interacting with adults and children alike. Further, my past experience has provided me with the tools to market appropriately in a successful way.
I am now a professional Santa.
Approximately ninety appearances per year. I have appeared in print advertisements, local/national internet commercials, tree lightings, upscale corporate events and film.
Attended the largest/oldest Santa school in the world and have continued education to hone the craft in a responsible and educated way.
There is much more to portraying Santa than wearing a red suit.
-Uncle Bob can wear a red suit for the family but he has no idea what he should say or more importantly, what he should not say.
He does not know how to respond to an adult or child who has recently lost a loved one or a senior who has no one to visit or a child who wants something that may or may not be suitable.
A professional must look and demonstrate the part. Have several premium suits or more, He must know to pose, act, care, educate, create, read the audience and have the ability to improv while always portraying Santa in a kind and magical way.
(Santa is the most photographed individual in the world)
Movements, demeanor (not just a jolly man in a red suit). No “off color” photos or statements! No drinking, smoking or partying.
No BAD Santa. Fine for movies, but not real life situations.
A professional Santa must always maintain background checks, insurance and keep other Santas moral, honest and accountable while in keeping a kind demeanor throughout ALL media.
There are costs, logistics, travel, education, marketing techniques and scheduling to be considered at all times..
I have been quite successful on a regional level and would like to expand.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
In some ways the road has been as smooth as a mountain lake that appears to be glass.
In other ways, as rough as a road through the Andies Mountains.
I am fortunate and blessed in my facial appearance. I have a real & full white beard.
I feel that I have the right heart for this business as it is not just a business but a “calling” of sorts.
My past experiences & education allow me to draw from a huge swatch to select responses to all types of situations. It also gave me a small leg up due to knowledge of marketing.
The largest difficulty has been the technological challenges of a continually expanding tech world & how to engage that to further expand on a national branding level.
Creating web-site, self-tape auditions, YouTube videos & various media outlets.
The current obstacle is to “get the ear” of more news organizations.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Again, I have an extensive a varied background to draw from.
I have gained notoriety as a professional Santa for many reasons.
I was a touring musician. I wrote, recorded, performed, produced and published 3 record albums. ( the latest in 2018)
I learned how to interact with groups from ten to ten-thousand people.
In real estate I interacted on a personal level with individuals & small families for some very important parts of their lives.
I have “re-invented” myself several times.
4 yrs in the US Army, Head of manufacturing.
A wood working business and much more.
All with a degree of success.
These are all part of the reason for my success. What sets me apart from others is that I can draw from all of these experiences in addition to formal educational training as a professional Santa.
Today, I portray Santa, I do not “play” Santa
I am not just a Santa in a red suit who says Ho! Ho! Ho! And let’s folks “sit on his lap”
(Today the proper term is sit on Santa’s knee)
I own/wear professionally designed custom suits from Adel’s Of Hollywood
I am fully insured and background checked
Educated in several levels of being a professional Santa.
(Including but not limited to the Charles W Howard Santa School)
Charles W Howard was the first Santa employed by Macy’s and the school is considered the “Harvard” of Santa schools.
My experience exceeds home visits, photo shoots and parties.
I have appeared at small venues and shared or performed on huge stages with industry professionals. Corporate appearances and business branding are not strangers to me.
I have a resume which includes the Marriott, Nashville Sounds Baseball, Keller Williams Real Estate, Skydeck Nashville and Cracker Barrel to name just a few.
Commercials, print advertisements and motion picture film.
Most importantly, I have the “heart”
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Short version is I was athletic, I played baseball, football & hockey. I started playing guitar at ten years old and played my first paying gig at thirteen. I was playing in a band d with men.
I was not an introvert but not Mr. Popularity.
I had good friends. Two of my friends enlisted in the Us Army with me in 1975.
Pricing:
- Pricing can be confusing depending on day/night/dates
- Pricing can be as low as $250 or less w/discount
- Pricing can be as high as $2,500 for appearances
- Prices vary on appearance type. Corporate, photo shoots
- Business branding, commercials, film etc
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Santabenclaus.com
- Instagram: Santa_B_Claus
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BDtSqhfL8/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@benbenjamin977?si=HNpitGbUarXgswfG
- Other: IDMB Santa B Claus
