Our Stories

Phil

Phil sells in Richmond, Carlton and Alphington Markets, Melbourne.

“I just turned 25, and The Big Issue magazine started a week later. I rang them up, they asked me to come in. They explained to me what The Big Issue’s all about. You buy the magazine, you sell the magazine. I thought I’d give it a go; I’ve got nothing to lose.”

Phil’s selling tips:

  • Prepare your signs — “I carry big boards, magazine boxes, and then A-frame boards to sit on top. I don’t do spruikes or shout because my signs do the talking for me.”
  • Be open and polite — “Make sure you talk to people, talk to anyone. Be courteous, be respectful.”
  • Have your digital payments ready — “The first concert I did this year was Taylor Swift, and without digital payments I wouldn’t have got half of the sales. People like to touch and go. I could not hold them up and that’s where the difference is.”

chris

Chris sells at Southern Cross Station, Melbourne.

“My father sells The Big Issue and he told me to give it a try because I was looking for a job. I tried it and I loved it, and still doing it to this day. I do it because it gives me something to do, it gives me work instead of just sitting at home doing nothing. I’m out there in the community making a difference, whether it’s selling mags or just talking to someone. In some sort of way, I’m making a difference.”

Chris’ selling tips:

  • Early bird gets the worm — “I’m up at 3:00am, I catch the train at 4:30am, in the city by 6:45. I work from 7:00am through to 9:30am.”
  • Talk to people on their level — “I don’t do spruikes like other vendors would, I just greet people and tell them have a great day.”
  • Be kind — “Treat people the way you want to be treated.”

Rachel

Rachel sells in Pyrmont, Sydney.

“When I first came to The Big Issue, I was nobody. I had children that loved me and supported me, but because of our cycle of homelessness I felt I failed as a mother, I failed at everything. When I walked into The Big Issue office I felt kindness.

“I began to trust people again and then trust myself. Instead of just being a number in a book I started to have my own business and that business was me.”

Rachel’s selling tips:

  • Dress up — “You gotta be a face in the crowd that highlights The Big Issue and why people should stop. If you’re a little inventive in what you wear and the way you conduct yourself and are a bit more flamboyant, you get more sales and you’ll make that person a little bit happier.”
  • Be yourself — “For me I have my trolley and my music, but that’s a part of who I was before The Big Issue because I listened to a lot of songs while being homeless.”

michael

Michael sells on the corner of Albert and Charlotte Sts, Brisbane.

"I love selling The Big Issue. One aspect of selling that I really enjoy are the people who I meet and say hello to. I've made a few friends!"

Michael's selling tips:
  • Stay positive — "Listing things I am grateful for helps me to have a positive attitude. It helps me focus on what I have, not on what I don't have."
  • Always be friendly — "I make being friendly my goal, the result is I have many profitable days selling The Big Issue."