Dec. 16, 2025

EP 529 The Secret Santa Business That Has Nothing to Do With Gift-Giving | AI Side Hustle | make money online | entrepreneur tips | ai entrepreneur

EP 529 The Secret Santa Business That Has  Nothing to Do With Gift-Giving | AI Side Hustle | make money online | entrepreneur tips | ai entrepreneur

How AI-Powered Holiday Magic Is Making Parents $75 Per 15-Minute Video Episode Summary

Tracy Brinkmann reveals how parents are using AI to create personalized Santa videos and earn $2,000+ before New Year's. Drawing from his own experience running this exact business model in the 1990s with dial-up internet, Tracy shows how modern AI tools make this seasonal opportunity 10x easier and more profitable. This episode provides the complete system for transforming yourself into Santa using AI face-swap technology and charging premium prices for magical personalized messages.

Key Timestamps & Insights

00:00 - Opening 00:33 - Episode Overview 00:50 - The Market Reality Check 01:31 - The Personal Story Setup 03:35 - Tracy's 1990s Credibility Story ⭐ KEY INSIGHT 05:35 - The Modern AI System Overview 07:25 - Video Creation Process ⭐ KEY STRATEGY 09:00 - Pricing Strategy ⭐ CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR 10:40 - System Building & Templates 12:25 - Why This Matters ⭐ BIG PICTURE 14:45 - Personal Christmas Memory Story 16:45 - Whiskered Wisdom & Action Step

Key Strategies Shared The Complete AI Santa System:
  1. Script Generation: Use ChatGPT with specific prompt formula

  2. Video Creation: AI face-swap technology + festive backgrounds

  3. Pricing Structure: $75-$125 base, premium add-ons

  4. Platform Distribution: Fiverr, Etsy, Facebook groups

  5. Template Development: Create reusable scripts for efficiency

Historical Proof of Concept:
  • Tracy successfully ran this business model in 1998

  • Parents paid $20-$50 per call with primitive technology

  • Modern AI tools make the process 10x easier and more profitable

Market Psychology:
  • Families pay for Christmas morning magic, not technical services

  • Personalization creates emotional value worth premium pricing

  • Local parent networks provide built-in trust and referral systems

Resources Mentioned AI Tools for Script Creation:
  • ChatGPT

  • Claude

Video Creation Tools:
  • Face Swap

  • Reface

  • Polo AI

  • Creator Kit

  • Runway (backgrounds)

  • PIKA (backgrounds)

Editing Tools:
  • CapCut

  • Simple phone video editors

Distribution Platforms:
  • Fiverr

  • Etsy

  • Facebook Marketplace

  • Local parent Facebook groups

Newsletter:
  • AI Escape Plan Newsletter - practical AI strategies for parents DarkHorseInsider.com

Action Steps to Take Immediate (This Week):
  1. Research Local Demand: Spend 30 minutes checking Facebook groups, Nextdoor, parenting forums for holiday service requests

  2. Test AI Tools: Download and experiment with face-swap apps

  3. Create First Script: Use the ChatGPT prompt formula for a sample Santa message

Implementation (Next 7 Days):
  1. Set Up Accounts: Create profiles on Fiverr, Etsy, or local Facebook groups

  2. Create Sample Video: Record your first Santa message using AI tools

  3. Price Testing: List your service with the suggested pricing structure

Scale (Ongoing):
  1. Template Development: Create reusable scripts for different child types

  2. Process Optimization: Streamline your 15-minute creation process

  3. Expand Offerings: Consider year-round character opportunities

Key Quotes

"What took me hours of recording and phone coordination in 1998, you can do in 15 minutes with AI and a smartphone."

"You're not selling a video. You're selling Christmas morning magic."

"The biggest opportunities hide in plain sight, disguised as other people's holiday stress."

"AI doesn't replace human connection — it amplifies it."

Call to Action

Ready to turn this holiday season into your family's financial breakthrough? The AI Escape Plan newsletter delivers practical, AI-powered strategies that work around family life. Get step-by-step systems, real case studies, and support that turns "what if" into "I did it."

Subscribe at: DarkHorseInsider.com

Episode URL: DarkHorseSchooling.com/EP529

Think Successfully & Take Action!