by Think Currituck, on 12/1/21 1:30 PM
Santa Claus is the owner of Claus Global Logistics, based at the North Pole with a new distribution center in Moyock and a field office in Corolla.
How long have you been in business in Currituck County?
I’ve been doing this since before there was a Currituck County! But to answer the question, I expanded my operations two years ago after meeting with my old pal Larry Lombardi.
Can you describe your business?
I deliver toys to the children of the world. MOST of the children.
I used to do this thing where I would leave the naughty kids a lump of coal, but then I realized it was much more efficient to just skip them all together. Easier on the reindeer too.
Also, I found out that some of the kids were selling their coal lumps on eBay, which means that they weren’t learning their lesson. So now they get nothing.
Can you talk about the decision to start your own business.
I wanted to make a difference. I wanted to bring smiles to children from Albania to Zimbabwe. I wanted to be a beacon of hope and light in the world. Plus, it beats working for a living!
Why do you do what you do?
Again, it’s all about spreading joy and cheer across the planet. It also gets me out of the house, which is a dream come true for Mrs. Claus who looks forward all year to the peace and quiet she gets on Christmas Eve.
While I’m crisscrossing the hemispheres, she’s on the couch in her flannels with a glass of Pinot Grigio, streaming the Great British Baking Show.
Why did you choose Currituck?
This place is incredible. It looks (and feels) even better after you’ve been kicking around the dark and frigid North Pole for months. I get to hit the beach after Christmas and have most of it to myself. It’s cold to most people, but January in Corolla feels like summer in the Arctic Circle!
I’ve tried to meet with site selectors about moving everything, but my executive board and marketing team say no because relocating my business away from the frozen middle of nowhere would be too far “off brand.”
"I’m magic so I don’t even really need a distribution center.
But coming here gives me an excuse to wear shorts and drive a forklift, so it’s a win-win for me!”
What are the biggest challenges?
Circling the planet in one night is no piece of cake. The flying reindeer definitely help, but it’s a long haul. Thank goodness for my podcasts!
Dealing with all the haters. There’s a ton of negative energy out there that can bring you down if you let it in. I stay off social media and work hard to maintain a positive, jolly attitude.
Constructive criticism is fine, but there are some people who literally do not believe in me. Not like they don’t have faith that I can do my job, but they don’t believe that I EXIST! How do I even start to deal with that?
What are the biggest rewards?
To be honest, I enjoy the attention. I don't let it go to my head, but there are worse things than being beloved by all the children of the world. Most of the adults are on board too, which means lots of free hot cocoa and choice parking spots for old Santa. And I can't even remember the last time I had to pay for a round of golf, so that's nice.
Of course the biggest reward is the smile on the face of a child on Christmas morning. That's what it's all REALLY about. All that free swag and never having to wait in line? That's a distant second... or third. It probably sounds better if I say third, so yeah, all that stuff is a distant third compared to the joy of a child.
What's one piece of advice you would give to someone starting a business in Currituck County?
Don't do it alone. There are plenty of people here in the county who are ready, willing and able to help you succeed. The first thing you should do is CALL LARRY. The second thing? Call him again. He doesn't mind. That's why he's here.
And here's one more bonus piece of advice: do NOT start a roller rink/paintball arena/escape room... because I called dibs on that months ago and the market can only realistically support one business that awesome within the county limits.
Follow Claus Global Logistics here: www.noradsanta.org
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays
from Currituck County Economic Development!
