Chris Schoenberger

Published October 2009 Vol. 13 Issue 9

by Gretchen Crowe

When picturing Denver VOICE vendors, one conjures ideas of hard work and dedication to self advancement, but do we truly think of success—that kind of success seen as a broad and universal term?  We should. 

Meet our deep-voiced, sports fanatic hailing from Wapakoneta, Ohio, Chris Schoenberger.  An only child who is a U.S. Air Force veteran and Ohio State University alum, Chris came to Denver to be near his son four years ago. He began vending September 2008 after losing contact with his son and ex-wife.

Chris is a picture of evolution.  He is that success story in the vending program, accomplishing substantial growth.  After claiming he didn’t have a business model, a three-step tier began to slip out as he talked about working with the VOICE.  He started vending by working corners, and after three months, he attempted to vend at a parking lot of a large, retail store.  He was thrown off, and began asking, “How do I get permission?”  After some meetings, he got that permission at a local store.  From this move, he tripled his paper sales, and for six months remained the second highest in sales each month.  Around three months ago, Chris began to put out Denver VOICE information tables outside a local mall.  He can man several tables at the same time. And, by evolving, his successes continue to grow.  His next step, a more personal one, is to re-establish a relationship with his son.

When asked his techniques to engage people while vending he says, “Stay in the conversation when you’re talking to someone. Don’t ask someone else for a donation while talking to another.  People respect their time, so should you.”