Mentor Moment Registrations

Test

test

I imagine, since this is the first module, that there will be a lot of procedural explanationsso I will hold my questions for now. But. There is a ton of things I want/need to know. Good luck!

Christmas in July, beard care and feeding, boot care, how to get photo shoots, & more.

How do you decide what you will do at an event; talking points?

Improv

Storytelling and book reading tips.

Crying children when parents insist on the photo.

Are there any statistics on the number of Santa’s that actually have suits brought against them as a Christmas performer?

The art of story telling and new Santa stories to use at in home visits or school performances. I heard that there is a great “3 pots” story that I would love to learn.

No specific ones right now.

Being Santa internationally (non-North America).

How does double booking insurance work?

Being Santa internationally (non-North America).

I would love to present at a future event. I am a past president of MAPS and have done several topics at past trainings and am doing one in Aug here in Michigan. My most popular was situational awareness a topic on how to improve on what you already do to make it more fun for the kids and satisfying to you. If interested my number is (989) 831-4800

Improvising, Backstory building, image and projection the santa appearance, simple magic cheap & easy.

Just being Santa

What to say to children?

The necessity of Liability Insurance and should it be carried year round.

Will these moments apply to mall Santas as well as event Santas?

Best products for beard whitening and care

Dealing with business records and registration with State (Kansas)

Tell us about your early days getting started in the professional arena, please.

Setting up a “Santa For Hire” business.

How do you address a child’s Christmas wish for the return of a deceased parent?

Addressing the differences from the “Secular Santa” and the “Religious Saint Nicholas.”

Concerning advertising and networking

Software like Canva

Are you the REAL Santa?

Can you help my brother fight cancer?

Creating memorable moments when doing large events (mall Santa style)

Is my outfit covered under most policy’s

How do you take care of your beard? (and make it white ) Especially if you’re younger, Santa.

How to be more authentic

Recommend amount?

.?

?

Online security specifically social media accepting followers and friends, to many Santa’s are friending scam artists, new people who are pushing porn, begging for money, and other bad stuff that could put Santa in a negative image. The same applies to other social media such as Instagram, Tik Toc, and others.

does the insurance offered protect us from sexual harassment and similar accusations? Does the insurance cover loss in the event a vehicle while at an event got broken into? What additional coverages are in place other than the standard bodily injury, damage to property?

Performance tips for home visits, activities to do, making each visit the best possible. Something other than close up magic.

What to expect at Tree lighting ceremonies. What to say, etc.

Santa crafting ideas with children. Storytelling.

I know I need insurance for me and Mrs. Claus. What about elf, photographer, etc, that I might employ? A couple of locations requested that I add them to my insurance policy, which was done. Shouldn’t their insurance policy cover them? how does this help me?

Beard care: Reindeer farms: Santa photography: Places to get Santa suits and clothing such as shirts and t-shirts etc.

Open to listening in on the session.

NA

What is the best way to handle difficult children and the best way to handle difficult aldults

I’m a new Santa and I am trying to learn all I can do everything will be great I’m sure. The insurance one is my next thing I need to get. Also need to set up LLC

How do we apply for the insurance

Uncertain. Eager to see what you have in mind.

Uncertain. Eager to see what you have in mind.

What wardrobe, props and other related items are covered an for how much $$ (as in is there a dollar limit on the loss and total loss) and wat type of loss is covered.

The pros and cons of working together with an Elf, Mrs. Claus or other Christmas performer.

What is covered in a loss and what is the limit? As in suits, accessories and props and types of covered and not covered losses. Example, the Dry cleaner ruined my suit, or my car was stolen with my Santa gear inside.

The pros and cons of working with an Elf, Mrs. Claus or other Christmas performer.

The use of social media and how to avoid scammers, and people added to friends / viewers who are looking to gain access to your friends lists to expand their list of people.

Would like to see information on use of social media or possibly a section dedicated to this, to many Santa’s are eager to add followers but often times they allow scammers, girls pushing porn or sketchy topics, or accept social media pages of people that have only been on for a few hours, have 2 photos, and no information on the person, this gives scammers the opportunity to get into your friends list, spreading the problems.

What is different from all of the other insurances out there?

Elevator speaches

?

?

?

?

As a new Santa I came across a problem this year finding reasonably priced insurance for Christmas in July events since I was not a Santa last August/September. It would be nice if there was a way to get insurance during the year to fill the gap.

How long can you have the insurance?

How much coverage for equipment, suits, etc is included?
Other companies include additional characters throughout the year. Why don’t we include that?

How do you handle the tough questions? ie, My grandma has cancer, can you cure her? My dog died. Can you bring him back?

How can we do a better job of “selling” the value of Insurance to our Chapter Members.

How old are you, where did you come from, why are you driving a car? Why do you come on December 25? Why don’t you visit all the boys and girls? How did you meet Mrs. Claus? What is her first name?

Could we highlight a charity at the beginning if each Mentor Moments (5mins) if those Santa & holiday friends volunteer at? Maybe it was nominated for Santa‘s heart.

Are Props covered

When can we sign up for insurance? How much for each level? How much for additional coverage?

does my insurance cover my Mrs. clause? by the way Mrs. clause is my wife

Compare equipment rider with others, including vehicles.

1. Does the Santa insurance cover you if you also do other character portrayals such as the Easter Bunny.
2. What about coverage for Elves, do they need their own insurance?

Details of the cost including various riders.

Cost, What is covered, Who is covered? How long and commitment other than money?

Cost, Length of Coverage, Amount of Coverage and Liability Problems that can occur

Santa Suit, Santa Chargers for Gigs

Not sure yet

Santa suit/hat care during the long season. A couple dry cleaners have declined to clean Santa suits.

Answering the ‘tough’ questions from kids. Beard and moustache maintenance and grooming.

Why does every seemly organization require you to take their insurance? My mother told me back in the 70′ that you can go insurance broke. Well between IBRBS, MN North Star Santa’s and now being courted by Nation Wide Santa’s and Hire Santa, how many does a Santa have to have?

Elaborate on Marketing Plans

Are you the real Santa and Mrs. Claus?

Improv

Beard care. story telling. information on Reindeer. different Ideas on home visits.

I want a cell phone this year. I cant say ok and I cant say no, would like your opinion on the answer.

Beard grooming. Story telling. About Reindeer. different ideas on home visits.

Entering my 3rd season as Santa, they’re all tough. 🙂

Hair/beard/costume care.

Post Christmas events. Questions related to why didn’t i receive(?????).

Post Christmas events. Questions related to why didn’t i receive(?????). Have never done an after Christmas event. Any other helpful suggestions.

As a first year Santa I am open to help on any of the tough questions

Beard whitening

just remember that “if you have mommy/daddy in your heart, they will be there forever.

Ethics

Dealing with hospice visits and or a visit to first responders after tragedy

I am new to the organization and I am looking to build a book of business. How do I market my services?

Death and dying. What to do with indications/mention of sexual assault?

Improv and dancing. Suits and suit history with budget options and ways to enhance overall appearance.

None at this time

None at this time

Why didn’t you bring me the toy I asked for last year ?

.

How to set up a business to protect you should I do an LLC?

.

.

Do you ever find yourself praying with a child?

Looking back on 2025, what specific practices, habits, or structural changes made the biggest positive difference in performers’ seasons — particularly around sustainability, burnout prevention, client communication, and preparation? And what are one or two things people tried that didn’t work as expected?

Sustainable professional practices — things like seasonal workload planning, clear client boundaries, pricing and scope clarity, working effectively with photographers and venues, and preparing systems and processes early so December is calmer and more focused.

Test does this work.

Suit care and maintenance for leather boots.

Marketing
Virtual visits

What is the most overlooked IRS deduction missed by Santa & Mrs. Claus?

How can I recognize a hearing impaired family

Can you explain what the difference is in a hobby versus a business is in our industry.

Where can we get further resources to become better at ASL

Best way to get your name out other than gig salad more grassroots? Getting people to book early?

Basic for beginners

know more about reindeer

How to promote being Santa all Year long

Storytelling

Storytelling

How can Santa incorporate ASL into a Santa virtual visit?

How can Santa avoid inappropriate situations and accusations?
I have a Santa that I am mentoring … his situation this 2025 Season was a difficult one for him. He was approached by a Security Guard stating that there was an “inappropriate situation reported” to him and they were looking in to it. The visits with children and families continued. 1.0 hr passes, Security Guard approaches stating “We must ask you to leave, we will escort you off the premises” In shock, this Santa grabs his few items and follows Security to his car… leaving approx 40-50 children with their families standing in line for visit and photo. Later that evening, Santa receives a phone call from Security “we have reviewed the campus tapes and found that nothing was inappropriate on your behalf, we are dropping it” … WOW, really? No apology. How about the inappropriate removal of the Santa? The embarrassment? … the slander? … the hurt that the children encountered? This is the 3rd similar situation that happed to other Santas this 2025 Season. What can a Santa suggest at the time, i.e.: Can you, Mr Security, stand here while I finish my visits, etc.? This Santa was devastated and ready to throw in the towel, so to speak. I suggested for him to never offer his “knee” to anyone over 14 mos old (parent MUST place child on my knee and remove child) … this is my rule and I take a nice wooden folding chair for visits.

Discussion about working independently vs. thru and agency. Benefits and issues.

Hair/beard maintenance, grooming, grey vs. white, coloring materials/bleaching.

Long-time signers tend to be very quick. How to keep up with their speed? I can sign a bit, but find it much harder to read someone else signing.

Where can I get practice all year long so I can not forget everything

Common problems with suit hat etc and how do yu overcome them

No questions. Just excited to learn and practice more.

Self marketing (gig salad, etc. vs Hiring agencies (Cheery Hill, Hire Santa, etc.). Not so much for me, but for the Santa’s just starting out.

I am terrified of SL my fingers don’t form letters well, can this help me?

How to not step on Santa toes, but have your turn as. town Santa .

I love portraying Santa and the improv aspect of it, is it ok to not incorporate magic,,puppet time, light up fingers. I just feel uncomfortable with that

How do you get overseas opportunity’s

How do you start charging people or businesses that you have been performing for free for a few years?

None

Being a new Santa, I had one home visit this last season, and it didn’t go well. I would like to see what others have done.

n/a

My wife Nancy will be attending with me.

Pricing – I am new to being a paid Santa, I have been free for 4 years. I have yet to meet any other paid Santas in my area and have absolutely no idea where to start pricing.

Prop ideas like chairs, backdrops, books, giveaways, and such.

Is there a virtual ASL class that you would recommend?

Sources for basic ASL classes.

What are the most popular “phrases” we should know.

What is the best way to keep track of income and expenses?

Effective ways to manage your books
Effective Customer Relationship Management

Keeping healthy, best to

What apps can be used for tracking: milage, expenses, and income. If available, do these apps provide printable documents I can provide to my tax preparer.

none

I can teach about storytelling, Taking familiar folk tales and recreating them with Christmas characters.

How to say please, thank you and you’re welcome.

Storytelling and Journaling.

What are some of the basic signs needed to communicate with a deaf child? After this session, where can we go to do an even deeper dive into ASL?

What kinds of Santa expenses can be included on your federal tax return? What kind of documentation do you need to keep to support your deductions? How can you build your own fully functional Santa website?

Pros and Cons of signing up for a Santa Residency at a business / Luxury Resort / luxury hotel and committing every Saturday & Sunday from Mid November through Christmas to the single venue. Pros and cons of working with a local agency versus marketing directly v relying on gig salad, the bash – who the local agencies often rely on for their own leads.

How to work with Santa agencies from agreements, Communications, setting travel limits, compensation and getting paid in a timely manner (what timelines can be expected knowing that agencies may not be paid in full themselves from the hotels, resorts or businesses themselves.) What are the pitfalls of working with local agencies – I am not concerned with Nationwide Santa; Hire Santa, etc. (It seems like many agencies have horror stories associated with them where one Santa has great experiences while another had nightmares.)

finding ASL classes

What is the national hourly rate for Santa engagements?

How best to reassure doubters.

Resources in Canada

Off Season rejuvenation can be a challenge, what tips prepare one for the coming season?

Bleaching, Whitening, Condorioning

How can i make my own suit?

Curly beard management

When children ask what do you do if you have to pee when in your sleigh? How to answer that ? And when they ask where is your Rain deer , and can I see them ?

Maybe what special things to bring to the kids at event party’s , And how many hours is enough for event party’s

No questions at this time. I want to be a better Santa

What other options do I have other than bleaching? Thank you

What’s the best legal and tax strategy when setting up a Santa business

What products do you recommend for washing and conditioning. Also any leave-in conditioners that you recommend. I find that many beard oils leave my beard heavy.

Do you have any strategies for scaling the Santa Claus business into something more evergreen, not so season, and to the levels where one could make a living off of it? How do you know when to hire outside help and what are some considerations about that? How do you determine if you can afford it?

Deep dive into Meta Business Suite.

how do you practice confidence in your entertaining abilities?

Does Minoxidil Work?

what to say if a kid asks what do you do if you have to go to the bathroom and your in your sleigh ? or can I see your Rain deer ? or Santa don you have more presents for me ?

We are excited that this is being presented by a woman wearing a beautiful Mrs. Claus hair tint. We are eager to learn how she has mastered her Mrs. Claus hair.

Ideas and presentation structures for Christmas in July programs and shows.

Does your beard thin with age? My beard was never thick but it seems to be getting thinner. What can be done to bring it back to be fuller.

I sign as well for the deaf children. It is very rewarding to them that Santa does sign. This is a really good topic to start the series.

Mall Santa Vs Home Visit Santa, Mall Santa Vs using The Bash, Gig Salad, Is the Santa business just like any other type of business in the sense that word of mouth is the best advertising?

Safe bleaching and maintaining

What is the best way to practice and get feedback ?

How do you get the brilliant white in already white beards?

how to prevent breakage. best bleaching techniques.

What is the best way to learn ASL?

Practical advice for beard whitening would be excellent for this newbie.

I just want to learn not sure the questions

Addressing kids questions

How does one indicate that they are new to ASL and my not be communicating very well or understand those who sign to you?

Technology and Santa/Mrs. Claus

What are resources available to search out training in ASL? Is there a national registry we can look at for training or should we just go through our local Association for the Deaf/Blind?

Business development opportunities and marketing techniques for local/regional print/online advertising?

What bleach products to use.

Booking with booking platforms

Can you provide a few simple ASL phrases for basic communication please?

Keeping yourself healthy during season.

Proper use of conditioner for head and beards?

Intro to ASL

Hair care

How to successfully bleach and care for hair

Is long hair really that important if you wear a hat all the time?

How to handle difficult questions like can you bring my Dad back from the dead or Mom or can you bring mom back to dad.

Is having a book there for kids to read with you so very important?

I would like my professional hairdresser to have the ability to watch this presentation if she so chooses. Obviously, she will need a separate login as she’s not an IBRBS member, nor will she be with me. She’s well versed in hair color and might not feel the need to watch anyway.

Are there specific phrases that are typically needed so I could concentrate on those or do we need to have a broad range?

I love historical fiction for reading. Do anything on historical storytelling would be great.

Storytelling

To dye or not to dye and thoughts on both sides of the topic

My beard is thinning out as I get older. What can I do to help my beard become healthy and fuller? Thank you.

Basic communication

New to this. Will have to gain knowledge first.

Surprise me.

New to this. Will achieve more knowledge first!

Got healthy hair, do not want to bleach, but want a whiter look.

I am a retired IT, software developer, who is now does IT and software. Along with a partner, we are developing a SaaS program. Which means it on the internet, not downloaded to your device. It is a program to manage all aspects of your Santa business. It is called “SantaBook” and will be available on May 01, 2026. I would love to talk about it, maybe as a Mentor Moment. Smart calendar, CRM, quoting, payments, and more — all in one place. Zero Commission. Ever.
Unlike GigSalad, HireSanta, and The Bash — SantaBook never takes a percentage of your booking fees. You keep 100% of what you earn. We earn from subscriptions, not your success.

Best practices for whitening (bleaching) the beard and general conditioning to create fullness.

How to strengthen hair from the inside and on the outside. Whitening options. Beard shaping. Mustache wax/hold.

What can be gleaned from Mr/Mrs Santa literary history to inform a useful Claus background story for curious kids?

I don’t really have any questions. I do a pretty good job with what I have learned but I always want to learn ways to improve the process and the health of my hair, especially during the season.

Sensitive skin concerns

I don’t really have any questions. I do a pretty good job with what I have learned but I always want to learn ways to improve the process and the health of my hair, especially during the season. I have a unique situation with my hair. I have a constant battle against candida yeast. I have to shampoo my beard and my hair daily with Nizoral. I have to over condition my hair to keep it from drying out too much. I treat my hair with avocado oil to help keep it healthy

Sensitive skin concerns

How to bleach

The business of Santa. Website construction.