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The Business End of Santa Claus: Breakeven Analysis |
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Written by Santa Walter
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Friday, 30 May 2008 00:00 |
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The Business End of Santa Claus: Breakeven Analysis by Santa Walter Roach (Permission to copy and share is given; please leave credit attached.) Once the Red Suit is donned, the “Ho! Ho!” has been practiced, and the smile flashes for the first time, our role is assured; however, most of us who are a professional Santa Claus have moved on from our early efforts. We joined organizations; we attend schools, seminars, conventions, and social gatherings of other Santas. Often, we choose to improve our image with upgrades to suit, boots, belt, beard, bells, baskets, bag, and belly. When first starting out, many of us volunteered for charitable or civic occasions, for our families, and with an occasional hire-a-Santa-type event once the word got out. Now, we are busy. So, just how much should we charge? How do we know when to change our rates? Can Santa afford that new belt buckle (or fill-in-the-blank)? Do we want to make Santa Claus into a business? Should it at least breakeven? Should my fees for the next season rise and by how much? Breakeven analysis, having income exactly equal to expenditure thus showing neither profit nor loss, gives us a planning tool normally reserved for those with an MBA. Calculating a breakeven gives us a decision-making tool to help with financial decisions, and it is simple enough most of us can figure it out once it is demonstrated. |
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Last Updated ( Friday, 30 May 2008 10:39 )
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PNW's Santa's Pack - Membership Meeting Sunday June 22nd |
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Written by Rob Figley
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Wednesday, 11 June 2008 16:48 |
Santa's Pack, Portland/Vancouver' s first and oldest Santa Claus Club
and Chapter Number Four of the IOS, will be having its regular
membership meeting on Sunday, June 22nd at 3:00 PM. We will be meeting
at the home of Santa Rob and Mrs. Claus Diane Figley, 3615 East
Evergreen Blvd, Vancouver, Washington 98661. You can call us at
(360)693-8562 for directions of questions.
All Santas, Mrs. Claus, Elves etc are welcome! Santa's Pack reaches
out to all Christmas Performers living in the Great pacific Northwest!
I have already heard from two new Santa's, so we should have a great
turnout! Weather permitting (never a sure thing in the Pacific
Northwest) we will be meeting in our newly landscaped back yard.(Gives
us a chance to show it off a bit!)
Looking forward to seeing folks there!
Santa Rob Figley
Vancouver, Washington |
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 22 June 2008 22:46 )
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Calling All Santas -- Healthy Kids: Santa Cares |
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Written by Santa Walter
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Tuesday, 10 June 2008 11:31 |
Calling All Santas -- Healthy Kids: Santa Cares Santa, please support us in getting the message out: kids need to be healthy. Santa cares about kids. He cares if they are healthy, getting proper exercise, and eating the right foods. He also cares if they have been naughty or nice; however, eating too many sweets and not getting enough exercise has now become naughty behavior. Join us in San Jose on August 16, 2008 if you are able. Please consider lending your presence to our media event on the Saturday morning with the cameras capturing the finish line where all Santas and children are winners. Santa Ric Erwin is videographer for the event, and free photos are being taken by our photographer, Shane. We are addressing childhood overweight and obesity prevention to help kids stay active, encourage healthy eating habits, and promote healthy choices. Santas support children in exercising and in eating healthy foods with a morning ‘Walk With Santas’ and with ‘Eat Healthy With Santas’ for lunch. We would be thrilled for you to join us. Dozens of us Santas and Santas Helpers from around the country will be here to participate. There will be Mrs. Clauses and Elves in costume as well. The morning ‘Walk With Santas’ in the beautiful Guadalupe Park and Gardens of San Jose (Coleman and Taylor, near the San Jose Airport) starts at 8:00 and culminates by 9:00 AM at the finish line. The media will be there just before the end of the event. The print and TV media are expecting to do interviews from 8:45 or 8:50 to 9:15 or so. All participating Santas will leave with a photo CD and press release packet for personal use, as well. We do not yet have confirmation that the Surgeon General, or Governor Schwarzenegger, or Mayor Chuck Reed will be able to attend. Other celebritites and politicians are expected also. Kids being healthy is vitally important; your being at this event will showcase its importance. The Santas of Northern California, who are hosting this event, will be not only telling children the importance of exercise and diet, we will be setting an example, even if we are technically senior citizens. Several National and Regional Santa societies are behind this effort. Please come and support the message to the kids: eat right and exercise. As the Surgeon General, Rear Admiral Steven K. Galson, told Mike Underwood of the Boston Herald on November 29, 2007, “It is absolutely critical.”
Sincerely, Santa Walter, Santas of Northern California |
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 22 June 2008 22:56 )
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Minnesota Santas swap stories |
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Written by SantaWalter
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Sunday, 08 June 2008 13:33 |
Minnesota Santas swap stories MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Members of this club drive cars with license plates like HOHOHO, CSANTA and SLEIGH. At summer pool parties, they wear shorts with red suspenders and talk about where to find a barber who does a good beard-whitening job. And when these old guys step out en masse, heads turn: They all have real beards, and they all answer to Santa Claus. |
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