Nathan, 19, Outside Fopp, Park Street, Bristol

Dec 5, 2011

I just think positive. If you think negative you never get anywhere. You need to put effort into selling magazines: “Hello! How are you?” If you don’t be cheerful and make people laugh, you don’t sell.

It winds me up when people judge you, think you must be on drugs. I’ve never done heroin – always turned the other way. “You smackhead!” It angers me – there’s no need for it. If they stood in the rain for 10 hours a day and people ignored them, they’d be frustrated too. If people ignore you, ignore them back. If you get angry, sit down and have a cigarette and chill out. If I let them get me down I’ll be down for the rest of the day and my sales will be rubbish.

I grew up in Manchester – behaved like a little rascal when I was younger. I tried to get in the army, make my family proud, but I started mixing with the wrong people, got in trouble with the police and messed my life straight up. Then my nana moved to Bristol and I lived with her for a few weeks – looked after her, cared for her – then my granddad moved down and I couldn’t stay. I don’t get on with my granddad.

I moved into a hostel, was kicked out, was homeless for a while, moved away, came back and had nothing to do. A police officer referred me to The Big Issue, so I got badged up instantly and I’ve been selling since. It pays for my food and I really enjoy it. People in the office are sound as hell. I’ve made a lot of new friends in Bristol, brought a new one in today who’s signed up for a badge. Since I moved to Bristol I’ve done perfect. I haven’t been arrested. Used to have a bit of a cannabis habit, but I don’t touch that any more. Have a beer in the pub now and again when I know I’ve done a good day, but that’s it really.

My main hope for the future is to beat [local vendor] Jeffrey. There’s a sales chart on the wall and if it’s the last thing I do, I’ll get there. I’ve sold to a few celebrities: the rock band Ash, a few of the Skins cast and the graffiti artist Cheo. I class everyone as they are, for what they do. If people want to come back, that’s really appreciated. I put a little message on each issue: “Thank you and hope to see you again next week.” Hopefully I’ll start putting a little story in, but I’m not sure – might be a bit too much paperwork.