Today we’d like to introduce you to Santa Rick Rosenthal.
Santa Rick, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I started in 1968 with a “designer beard” just for fun. Over the decades my black beard turned white. Then one year while I was in Home Depot in the garden shop in the spring one year, and I heard this very loud strained whisper slowly saying “D-a-d” over and over again. So I turned to see who was saying that and about 15 feet away from me was a little boy holding onto the side of his father’s shirt and tugging on it. For whatever reason his father was ignoring him and bent over a flat of flowers to look at them. The little boy was bent forward in my direction and staring straight at me. He looked much like a deer in headlights. I immediately felt humbled by the situation as I knew he thought I was Santa. When our eyes met he still had a tight grip on his father’s shirt and was still facing the opposite direction from his father, but he no longer muttered a sound and he did not move. I chuckled and shook my head up and down to let him know that “yes, I am Santa”. The little boy was mesmerized and after looking into each other’s eyes for about 30 seconds I knew I had to talk to him. So I went right up to the little boy and whispered to him: “Yes, I am Santa, but please do not tell anyone that you saw me here buying tools for the Elves to make toys with”. The little boy did not move except to straighten up his body and look into my face.
I then went out of the garden shop and proceeded down the main isle that led to each of the many rows of product they have at Home Depot. At each row I stopped and looked back and the little boy was still staring at me and not moving. When I finally got to the last row, I went up that row and stayed there for about 1/2 hour until I felt sure he and his father had left the store as I did not want him to see me leave by car. What an honor and life changing moment that was for me.
It was at that point that I decided to become a Professional Real Bearded Santa. Since that time, I have mentored many Santa’s and taught at several Santa schools. I even opened my own Santa school (Northern Lights Santa Academy). I am the official Santa for the Atlanta Falcons and the Atlanta Braves and do an enormous amount of work with Children’s Health Care of Atlanta at both their Egleston and Scottish rite locations.
I specialize in private and corporate parties and events. I have expertise in every “Santa arena” and have even been a mall Santa for a season. I am also the spokesman for an international phone application that allows you to receive pre-recorded video messages or chat live with Santa. As Santa there is not much I have not done.
I am Santa year-round for marketing promotions as well as to give away gifts at birthdays, anniversaries and weddings, as well as giving out bonuses and trips at corporate events. I have even been hired to propose marriage!
Being a professional Santa is the most humbling and rewarding job in the whole world. It is also one of the greatest responsibilities and one that must be taken seriously. A Professional Santa must continue his education at Santa school, and further develop himself each year in his areas of expertise. A Professional Santa must insure that Santa is alive and well and that there really is a spirit of Christmas. Anyone less than a Professional Santa may clearly be identified as “not Santa” and can also invite thoughts that there really is no Santa; and even worse, that there is no “spirit of Christmas”. A Professional Santa is one who clearly portrays that he is indeed the real Santa, and people who are in his presence will believe he’s the real Santa, not just a guy in a red suit, hobbyist, or family relative or friend.
As a Professional Santa, every season you will laugh so hard you will cry, and you will also cry from a painful or heartwarming story at least once, if not many times each year, as we spend time with people of all ages from newborn children to senior citizens and the terminally ill. We share the most intimate moments with strangers who have loved us their whole lives and we listen as they express their hopes, wishes, dreams and sorrows. It is truly a gift to be given such love and trust, and so when it comes to Christmas, Santa receives so much more than he gives.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Santa is one of the most recognized figures in the world. So when you are Santa, you are the most well recognized public figure alive today.
The main challenge of being Santa is to just always live like Santa and remain Santa “ish”. Santa should always be jolly. Santa never frowns, and he almost always smiles. Santa can look stern, but never mad. Santa is always polite and helpful and endearing. Santa is always welcoming no matter what he is doing and no matter where he is. This is a tough road to travel.
In my point of view and especially for me, the main obstacle is always being open to interruption in the most loving of ways at all times. I never go anywhere without someone coming up to me to talk with Santa or take a picture with Santa, and it is just a fact that sometimes I am under a time limit or involved in a personal matter that really should not be interrupted and I will always make time for the “interruption” because believers and lovers of Santa and/or the spirit of Christmas must always be welcomed with open arms. .
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Santa Rick, Northern Lights Santa Academy, and National Santa Agency – what should we know?
I actually have 3 businesses.
I am Santa. I literally travel the United States for my different clients as Santa to attend different private & corporate parties and all types of events.
I am a Santa Booking Agent, and book other Professional Santas all over for parties and events from individual to major corporations.
And I also have a Santa school; the Northern Lights Santa Academy, where I teach and train other people to become Santa, Mrs. Claus, Elves, and Santa Handlers.
What sets me apart from other Santa’s is my criteria for calling yourself a “Professional” and my extensive background.
To me, a Professional is concerned with the well-being and security of the clients as well as maintaining the highest level of standards within the industry. This means that he is insured (I carry a $2,000,000 liability Insurance policy) for the protection of his clients as well as himself, has an annual 3rd party national background check done on himself that can be provided to clients (for their protection), has yearly education at a Santa school (to stay on top of the game), and belongs to and attends different Santa organizations (to stay abreast of the latest items available for the industry).
Starting in 1968 has given me 49 years of experience. Also starting at such a young age give me perspective as an adolescent, an adult, and now senior citizen. Having worked with a designer beard as well as a real beard also give me a different set of viewpoints. I have been a hobbyist singer all my life so public performance and being outgoing is a natural talent I possess. And last but not least, I was a drama major in college and throughout my earlier adult years performing solo, on stage, and even radio drama, so again I have no hesitation to being on stage as Santa 24/7 in my private and public life.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I am openly approachable, animated, endearing, warm, and humorous. I clearly present myself with sincerity, integrity, and self-confidence. I try to invite interaction with those I converse with and try to connection when talking with others. My conscious intent to discuss with everyone on their level. My ability to look people in the eye. What you see is what you get.
Contact Info:
- Address: For Santa Rick you can email: SantaRick.NorthPole@gmail.com or call (404) 936 – 2888 and the website is: www.SantaRick.com
- Website: www.SantaRick.com, www.NationalSantaAgency.com
- Email: Info@NorthernLightsSantaAcademy.com
- Phone: (404) 936 – 2888
Image Credit:
Lindsey Turner Photography, Lovi Blush Photography, & Braves MLB
