Meet John Davenport of Atlanta

Today we’d like to introduce you to John Davenport.

Hi John, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’ve been a hairstylist since 2003 and have spent most of my career helping people feel confident and cared for through creativity and personal connection. Over the years, I owned a salon, built long-term relationships with clients, and learned what it takes to run a business centered around people and experience.

A few years ago, I stepped into something unexpected — becoming Santa John. What started as a creative holiday project quickly grew into something much bigger. I realized I wasn’t just putting on a suit; I was creating meaningful memories for families, children, photographers, community events, and local businesses. Seeing the emotional impact those moments can have really changed me.

Since then, I’ve been focused on growing the Santa John brand throughout the Atlanta area through holiday events, photography experiences, community appearances, and creative social media content. I love blending storytelling, tradition, and a little movie-style magic into everything I do. It’s become a unique mix of performance, branding, creativity, and connection with people.

The journey has also reminded me that sometimes your passion finds you in unexpected ways. While I’m still grateful for my years in the beauty industry, I’ve found myself increasingly drawn toward building something lasting with the Santa brand and creating experiences that people remember for years.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road. Like a lot of entrepreneurs and creatives, there have been seasons of uncertainty, reinvention, and learning as I went.

I spent many years building my career in the beauty industry, including owning a salon at one point, and while that taught me a tremendous amount about business and people, it also came with the pressures that many small business owners experience — long hours, financial risks, burnout, and trying to balance creativity with the realities of running a business.

Stepping into the Santa world was exciting, but it also came with its own challenges. At first, I think some people saw it as just putting on a costume, but I’ve worked hard to build it into something much more meaningful and professional. Creating a recognizable brand, building relationships with photographers and businesses, marketing seasonal work, and learning how to stand out creatively has taken a lot of effort behind the scenes.

There have also been personal health challenges over the past few years that reminded me to slow down, focus on what matters most, and appreciate the ability to create joyful experiences for others. In a strange way, those moments helped push me toward building something that feels more fulfilling and purpose-driven.

What’s kept me going is seeing the reactions from families, children, and even adults during the holiday season. Those moments remind me why I continue doing this and why I want to keep growing the Santa John brand into something even bigger.

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?
I’m a professional Santa performer and creative entrepreneur based in the Atlanta area, best known as “Santa John.” I specialize in creating immersive, heartfelt holiday experiences for families, photographers, businesses, and community events. My work ranges from private family visits and professional photo sessions to large holiday events, storytelling content, and seasonal brand collaborations.

What makes this work special to me is that it goes far beyond wearing the suit. I focus heavily on the experience and atmosphere — creating moments that feel warm, authentic, cinematic, and memorable. I pay attention to every detail, from appearance and interaction to the overall feeling people walk away with. I want families to feel like they truly met Santa, not just someone posing for photos.

Before building the Santa John brand, I spent over two decades as a hairstylist and salon owner, which taught me a lot about creativity, personal connection, and making people feel seen and comfortable. Those skills naturally carried over into what I do now. Whether it’s calming a nervous child during a photo session or helping create a magical environment at an event, so much of this work is about human connection.

One thing I’m especially proud of is building a recognizable brand that blends traditional Christmas nostalgia with modern creative storytelling. Through social media, photography collaborations, and community events, I’ve tried to create a version of Santa that feels timeless but also engaging and creative for today’s audiences.

I think what sets me apart most is the amount of heart I put into the role. I genuinely care about creating joy, lasting memories, and meaningful experiences for people. In a world that can feel rushed and stressful, being able to give families a little bit of magic and connection during the holidays is something I never take for granted .

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I think luck has definitely played a role in my journey, but I’ve also learned that you have to be willing to recognize opportunities when they appear and put in the work afterward.

Some of the best things in my life and business happened unexpectedly. Becoming “Santa John” was never part of some long-term master plan. What started as a creative holiday idea slowly turned into something much more meaningful through meeting the right people, forming relationships with photographers and local businesses, and realizing how much joy the role could bring to others. In many ways, I feel lucky that I discovered a passion and purpose I never expected.

At the same time, there have also been difficult seasons and setbacks that shaped me just as much. Health challenges, business stress, and moments of uncertainty forced me to reevaluate priorities and rethink the direction I wanted my life to go. Looking back now, even some of the “bad luck” ended up pushing me toward growth, creativity, and a deeper appreciation for what truly matters.

I’ve found that the biggest opportunities often come from simply staying open, continuing to show up, and treating people well. Many of the connections and opportunities that helped grow the Santa John brand came through word of mouth, relationships, and one opportunity leading to another. I’m grateful for all of it — both the easy moments and the hard ones — because together they helped shape the path I’m on today.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Santa-John.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/santajohn_atl
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1D5RvxjjY2/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@santa_john1?_r=1&_t=ZT-96LyOtAFrrS