Vendor A. Allen Introduces The 'Streetwise Globetrotters'

Vendor A. Allen Introduces The 'Streetwise Globetrotters'

StreetWise has a variety of vendors, ranging from glorified beggars to professional entrepreneurs. All of the vendors have their own unique profiles and personalities, but some of them take it to a whole new level: like Michael Jordan playing basketball, Mike Tyson boxing or Michael Jackson singing and dancing.

StreetWise Globetrotters Joe Jones, Sam Sanders and Jeremiah Holcomb all show up collectively to become an awesome force.

A lot can be learned from their unity and synergy: the way they put their money together to rent hotel rooms and cars, how they share resources and relatives when they're in different cities. In the past year alone, they’ve been to the Super Bowl in Arizona, the Pro Bowl in Las Vegas, the Kentucky Derby and the Indy 500. They remind me of the Three Musketeers and their motto, “All for one, and one for all.”

They were all selling the magazine outside the Super Bowl in Arizona and someone gave them tickets to Shaquille O’Neal’s Super Bowl party, so they got inside. They also managed to sell outside the WM Phoenix Open that was happening at the same time. It was nothing new for Sam Sanders, who said he had been to golf events when he sold cars.

I asked each of them for advice on how they make it happen.

Joe Jones said that he has been a vendor for nearly 30 years and he saves up his tips above the magazine cover price to make trips happen. Also, since StreetWise is part of the International Network of Street Papers, with publications in nearly 100 places around the world, why not go the extra mile and sell StreetWise at major events to make a dollar.

Jeremiah Holcomb says to love yourself, stay focused, and remember, Streetwise is a hand up, not a handout. "Stay ready, so you don’t have to get ready.” He said he works long hours to afford his trips, and his customers also help him when they know he is planning to go somewhere. He likes to travel and meet people from different areas.

Sam Sanders says that to be Streetwise, listen to the people, smile and thank them for their support. He has other sources of income that he juggles to be able to afford the trips. He not only works, he said, but he lives life. Sometimes, he combines work and play.

These guys are great examples of camaraderie and companionship among vendors – a brotherhood. We’d like to salute the StreetWise Globetrotters for taking StreetWise national, and being an example of teamwork.