Check Out Erich Troudt’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Erich Troudt.

Hi Erich, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
After being a professional magician for over 30 years, I retired from performing. I had always thought becoming Santa Claus would be a fun and fulfilling endeavor.
Several years ago, I got the opportunity to fill in for my father, (who is also Santa Claus) on a parade, and it was a lot of fun. I knew it was something I wanted to do.
The following season I started performing as Santa full time.
Currently I perform all over Southern California in parades, meet and greets, video messages, and personal appearances. I’m fortunate enough to provide happiness to thousands of people every year.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Honestly, it has been really smooth. Having over 30 years of performing under my belt really made it easy for both the business and performing aspects of the business. Being a magician and being Santa really wasn’t that big of a difference, you’re still trying to please the client and provide a memorable and magical experience for the audience.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
The business side of Santa usually starts around July. We open the dates to our repeat clients first. Loyalty to them is our first priority. Once they are all booked, we open up the dates to everyone else. The following months are spent reaching out to potential new clients, updating our parade float, and marketing. The goal is to be completely booked by November.

The unofficial performance side starts to come into play once stores put out the Christmas decorations. That’s when kids start looking at you different. Even though you’re in regular clothes, they see an older fat guy with a big white beard, and they get excited. They wave, stare, tell their parents in a loud whisper “that guy looks like Santa”. I take the time to acknowledge them with a smile, wave, wink… I’ve even stopped to answer questions, listened to Christmas wishes and take pictures.
November is when the official performing starts. Traveling around to a variety of events. Each day is different, it could be a parade for thousands, a day care for 10 kids, a military base for the troops, or city festival.

Since putting on the suit, I think the thing that I’m most proud of is getting an unexpected positive reaction from a child. Several times I’ve had parents say, “they won’t talk to you, they’re non verbal” and the child, much to the astonishment of their parents, has a full conversation with me. When an older kid, not wanting to believe, whose parents are forcing them to take a pic, sees the real beard, has some conversation, and leaves believing after all.
Being a kid in the world today is tough. If I can help them believe another minute, hour, day, year, I’ve done my job.

It’s not just kids, it’s adults too. When you’re in the suit, everyone smiles, waves, and is happy. Every year I get women, usually 60 or older, ask to take a picture because they have never had their picture with Santa before.
The goal is to make EVERYONE happy!!

Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Definitely have an acting or performing background. Staying in character is so important. Kids will say things that can really catch you off guard, and you have to be ready. They will tell you wonderful things and completely sad things, and you have to be ready for all of it.

Be Santa for others, not yourself. He’s a long established character, with a wonderful history. Live up to the image people have of him. Be the man that we all know and love from the story books.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://inlandempiresantaclaus.com