Natural Santas hold a convention

They must not consume alcohol.. They must not utter any bad words. They must be an example to the children.. and we always remember that Santa is not a joker but a great character.

by Nimal Sedera

If one has creativity anything can be turned into a successful business. Business is conceived in the mind. When I travel I always for this type of Special event and news, here is one such "Gem of an idea" that had been Conceived in a mind and has become a reality and a successful business.

In Las Vegas USA-imperial Palace is a famous location. Here was an unusual residential convention of a different cult of people. On the day I read the news I was in this city and spotted several big beard people mixing with the crowd. The next day on March 3rd, I read the news related to them in the front page of "Las Vegas Review Journal". It carried A five column colour photograph of this unique event.

This was the FIFTH ANNUL CONVENTION OF THE "NATURAL SANTA INCORPORATED ... OF COLORADO SPRINGS. To be exact seventy two bearded men who are members of the organisation attended the event to discuss their problems and future plans. Seventy-year-old BILLY GOOCH is the CEO of the company.

Let's see how this organization began and how it grew.

Gooch's wife who goes by the name MAMA GOOCH is the one who conceived the seed of the movement due to the poverty of her family.

She in her own words explains. "We needed money one Christmas and my husband who had a big beard really looked like Santa... so I suggested to a nearby hotel to use a natural Santa in place of a fake one... my idea was accepted and we got the money we needed for that Christmas by hiring the husband as Santa.

Children liked the natural Santa and they were very happy and free with the natural Santa... then I knew that if we pool more bearded people we could hire to many places for many events..."

This company has expanded and there are 72 Santas for the moment. In the year 2006, twenty-two bearded men applied for the company and only 11 were recruited. The CEO Explains "To be recruited the white beard and the gray hair alone is insufficient... We look into the Character of the Santa. It matters lot.

They must not consume alcohol.. They must not utter any bad words. They must be an example to the children.. and we always remember that Santa is not a joker but a great character. Drug test and drug records are looked into".

The CEO was explaining to the press that 90 percent of the Santas have natural hair and natural beard... but for the rest we have to gray the hair but not the beards.

How much each of these SANTAS make within the Christmas season will be your next inquisitive question for sure, Yes each of them make over ten thousand US dollars during this period.. just 6 weeks work. This is more than ONE MILLION RUPEES in Sri Lankan currency.

Who hire them most are the shopping malls. Shopping malls in thirty States are now annually hiring the Natural Santas.. INSTEAD OF BIG COATS AND PANTS AND HATS AND BOOTS SO OFTEN WORN BY SANTA THESE NATURAL SANTAS WEAR COLOURFUL SHIRTS AND RED AND GREEN OVERALLS WITH KNICKERS.."

At their convention among the many matters the Santas were discussing were experiences related to last year performances and how they should answer questions raised by the kids, Here is one example.. 'How do you make your beard white..' "If I say I put it in the washing machine.. the kid may do it to the kitten at home.. so how should we answer..

The convention of the NATURAL SANTAS is a very thoughtful and meaningful one. It could be a good business idea for Sri Lanka as well. However this act of USA I think, Is SURE TO CHANGE THE SANTA'S PROFILE RELATED TO ITS CLOTHES.