Exploring Life & Business with Ben Belhorn of Santa and You

Voyage Ohio Magazine

THE CHANGE-MAKERS: STORIES THAT INSPIRE – (May 18th, 2023)

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ben Belhorn.

Hi Ben, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?

I’m thrilled to be talking to you and express my heartfelt gratitude for your invitation. It’s amazing how life can take unexpected turns, and I never imagined myself as Santa Claus. But it all started when my youngest son came home from school just before Christmas when he was only 8 years old and told me that there was no Santa. I was caught off guard, but I didn’t want to disappoint him. So, in a moment of inspiration, I decided to become Santa for him.

It was 4 am on Christmas Eve when I remembered that we had a cheap Santa suit stored in our attic for over 15 years. I went on a wild adventure, rummaging through the dark attic like a deranged Indiana Jones, searching for my treasure. I wish there was a video of that moment, or maybe not! Finally, I found the Santa suit and put it on, looking in the mirror and thinking, “Oh my, Santa looks pretty rough.” But I was determined to make it work.

I went to my bedroom and woke up my wife, who wasn’t as surprised as I expected to see me standing over her. After some playful banter, I shared my plan. From the landing outside our bedroom, my wife took pictures with my phone as “Santa” ate cookies, placed presents, and checked out the Christmas tree in our living room. We later referred to those pictures as the “bigfoot pictures” because they were like every blurry bigfoot sighting in existence. You could tell it was Santa, but you could never tell it was me, just a Santa suit in our house.

The next morning, I gathered all three of my boys and began my story. The older two played along. I told them that I heard a noise while I was in bed and went to check, and then I showed them the pictures on my phone. As the boys swiped through each photo, their eyes grew wider and wider with awe. My youngest son believed with all his heart, and he even wanted to take my phone to school to show his friends. It was a truly incredible moment that moved me deeply, and it marked the beginning of my journey as Santa Claus.

Fast forward to Christmas 2020, when I was working as a street supervisor for the Transit Authority in Columbus. I responded to a road blockage and discovered it was an event called Light the Night. Hundreds of police and fire vehicles were participating, and they were all headed to Nationwide Children’s Hospital. They formed a massive motorcade with flashing lights traveling across the city to the hospital; as they neared the hospital, the lights were all turned off, and they filled every lane of the streets in front of the hospital. Then, on cue, all the lights came back on, and Santa was there. It was an awe-inspiring sight, and I get goosebumps just recalling it. From the street, I could see the silhouettes of children in the hospital windows waving and Santa waving back. In that moment, I knew that I wanted to be Santa for real.

I spent the next few months completing an online course at the Worldwide Santa Claus Network, and then I told my supportive wife that I wanted to invest in a real Santa suit. I had a custom suit made by a talented seamstress in Minnesota, and it was a dream come true. Over the past two years, I’ve embraced my passion for being Santa and turned it into a business. With my background in graphic design and websites from owning a photolab in the past, I created a website, designed a logo, and fully embraced social media for marketing.

That first year was scary, but I heard time and again from clients that I was the best Santa. I simply followed my heart and tried to be a grandfatherly figure, creating memorable experiences for families. After that successful first season, I stepped up my game. I joined local Santa communities and attended Santa gatherings and conventions to learn from other experienced Santas and continue honing my skills. I also expanded my services to include corporate events, parades, and charity fundraisers, as well as my specialty, private home visits.

One of the most fulfilling aspects of being Santa Claus is the joy and wonder I see in the eyes of children and adults alike. It’s a privilege to be part of their cherished holiday memories and to bring the magic of Christmas to life. I’ve had countless heartwarming experiences, from comforting a shy child who was initially afraid of Santa to granting special requests for gifts or experiences that families never thought possible. Seeing the genuine happiness and excitement in people’s faces when they believe they are meeting the real Santa Claus is priceless.

Being Santa has also allowed me to give back to the community in meaningful ways. I’ve partnered with local charities to raise funds and awareness for children in need, and I’ve been involved in special events for children with disabilities or terminal illnesses. Being able to make a positive impact in the lives of those who may be going through challenging times is a privilege and an honor.

As I reflect on my journey as Santa Claus, I am grateful for the incredible experiences and memories I’ve created. It’s been a remarkable transformation from a spur-of-the-moment decision to become Santa for my son to a fulfilling and meaningful profession. I never imagined that wearing a red suit and having a white beard could bring so much joy, laughter, and happiness to others and to myself. I am immensely grateful for this unexpected journey and look forward to many more years of spreading the magic of Christmas as Santa Claus.

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?

The journey so far has been relatively smooth for me, as I tend to focus on tackling challenges one day at a time and living in the present rather than dwelling on past struggles. Of course, there was still a learning curve to overcome, as I wanted to ensure that every visit I made as Santa was truly special and memorable. It’s not just a matter of donning a red suit and shouting “HO HO HO!” – joining professional groups, receiving an education, and having a wonderful mentor like Santa Michael Howe from Michigan have all been instrumental in helping me excel in this role. As Santa Howe often says, “We’re better together,” meaning that when one Santa is able to provide an exceptional experience, it benefits all of us in the profession. There’s no sense of competition among true professionals.

That being said, the most challenging experience I’ve had thus far was my first Make-A-Wish visit, during which I met a 7-year-old boy who was terminally ill with cancer. The pressure was immense – this young boy’s only wish was to meet Santa. However, the visit ended up being a deeply moving experience that inspired me to strive for even greater excellence in my role.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next, you can tell us a bit more about your business.

Santa and You is more than a business; I really try to go beyond just being a business – we are a company that creates truly magical experiences for our customers when they visit with Santa Claus. As a dedicated artist and performer, I work with party planners to bring their vision of the perfect Santa experience to life. What sets us apart from others is our commitment to excellence and our passion for helping other performers improve their craft, which has earned us recognition and respect within the Christmas Performer community.

One of our unique offerings is my custom-made wardrobe, which includes suits, summer Santa attire, elegant Santa attire, a variety of shirts, custom-made vests, boots, belts, buckles, and robes, including a one-of-a-kind embroidered royal robe. We take pride in the attention to detail and craftsmanship that goes into creating these bespoke costumes.

What I am most proud of, however, is our loyal clients – the families who book us year after year, often securing their dates for the following season right after the current season ends. This speaks to the high demand for our services and the limited availability of Santas, especially during the holiday season. By booking early, our clients ensure they have a magical Santa experience for their events.

Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?

Certainly! In addition to our corporate and home visits, we are actively expanding our network of talented photographers that we work with. As part of our collaboration with professional photographers, we are proud to offer promotional photoshoots early in the season. These shoots are designed to be mutually beneficial for both the photographer and our business.

During these promotional photoshoots, we work closely with our selected photographers to create captivating visuals that showcase their unique style and talent. The resulting images are then utilized in our marketing materials, social media campaigns, and website, providing the photographer with increased exposure to a wider audience while also helping us attract potential clients. We believe that this partnership not only promotes the photographer’s business but also enhances our brand and offerings, ultimately contributing to our collective success.

We understand the significance of supporting professional photographers and their businesses, and we are committed to providing them with a platform to showcase their work and expand their clientele. Our promotional photoshoots early in the season are just one of the many ways we strive to foster a collaborative and prosperous relationship with our valued photographers.

These promotional shoots provide us with valuable tools to promote customer shoots throughout the season, ultimately boosting our success and, of course, the bottom line for our partner photographers. We are excited about the opportunities that this partnership brings and look forward to continued growth and success together!

Pricing:

Home visits start at $200

Professional Photographers $150

Contact Info:

Website: www.SantaandYou.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/santaandyou

Facebook: www.facebook.com/SantaandYou

Twitter: www.twitter.com/SantaandYou

Youtube: www.youtube.com/@santaandyou

Yelp: www.yelp.com/biz/santa-and-you-reynoldsburg

Other: www.OhioSantas.com