29: The Business of Being Santa

Have you ever thought about being SANTA as a seasonal side hustle?

Today we’re seeing a much greater degree of diversity in Santas so it’s opening the door to many who in the past wouldn’t have considered it an option.

If you check out today’s episode artwork, you’ll see a photo of our guest Santa. Underneath that yak hair beard is Melissa Rickard. Yes, this Santa is female, but you’d never know it.

In addition to her full-time work as a surgical director for a retina practice, Melissa has been donning the red suit and sharing her ho ho ho’s for 28 years!

In this episode of Side Hustle Hero, you’ll hear about what income range you can expect - some of her friends make upwards of $40,000 a year as Santa - what you’re looking at for start up costs, and where to turn for gigs.

Be sure to catch the end of episode takeaway where I’ll give you a little nudge to get you thinking about why volunteering should be one aspect of your life, if it’s not already.

What You’ll Hear:

02:12 HOHOHO

04:00 28 years of being Santa

05:01 How Melissa came to be Santa…and why she continues

08:55 Number of gigs per year

09:28 “Live” emails 4 hours a night

10:15 President of local Lion’s Club

10:33 Sources of work

11:45 Hourly rate

16:25 Hiresanta.com and Mitch Allen

14:48 Professional Santa groups and associations

18:05 Santa’s start up costs