A young Manteca entrepreneur has created his own “direct advertising” business that has paid dividends in plying his service for three Manteca firms as he has hawked their businesses from street corners.

Chris Kroshus, 23, who hopes to return to school and become a psychologist, had first waved his signs on East Yosemite Avenue for a pizza parlor located in the Spreckels Park shopping center near the Commerce Avenue intersection.

As for his attraction to psychology, he said he hopes to learn why people do the things they do in life so hopefully he can ultimately make a difference.

Asked if he had ever applied for unemployment, he replied, “No that would be a further drain on the economy.”

He had originally moved to Manteca from Nevada to be closer to his dad, a mechanic, who he helped repair cars.   Kroshus said he is one of eight children in his family

Jeff Gilliana, owner of the Lucky Seven Auto Glass located near Yosemite and Powers avenues, said he offered Kroshus twice the pay to come to work for him instead of the pizza parlor and advertise in front of his business. 

Kroshus explained that when he first launched his advertising campaign in front of the auto glass business,  there were only three to four glass installation jobs a week at the operation.  That has now grown to three to four a day, he said, priding himself for much of the increase in the numbers.

Gilliana said he turns the radio on in his work truck to serve as background music for Kroshus who dances and gyrates to the resounding tunes coming from the speakers.  When Gilliana is gone, Kroshus’ cell phone provides his inspiration to keep going for hours on end and to better pass the time.

There have been honks, smiles and waves from the motoring public that he appreciates, but there have also been the negative remarks and slurs from others he has had to try and ignore, he said.

“People call me names and throw stuff at me.  Recently this guy came up and started swinging, just started throwing punches at me for no reason – I didn’t know him,” he said. “But, it’s fun to kinda be your own boss and have the freedom to be able to listen to music and dance while you work.”

 He added that his boss has been pretty flexible with his hours.

He works at Lucky Seven for 18 to 20 hours a week, but he is also looking for other businesses he can help to increase their bottom lines and not have to work in fast food. 

Prior to picking up his signs and dancing in attempting to attract the motoring public, he worked for fast food restaurants such as McDonalds, Burger King, Taco Bell and finally Round Table Pizza.  He also served as the advertising sign waver for the Spirit of Halloween in the former Mervyn’s building on South Main Street.

In explaining his philosophy in life he told of a story of an immigrant family going out of their way in helping a stranded business man whose car had broken down on a rural roadway.  They had nothing, but they gave of themselves and helped him to repair his vehicle, he added, refusing money that was offered to them.  

“It’s really a good way to live by paying it forward,” he said. “Today it’s you (who may be helped) tomorrow it may be me (in need of help).”

He said he is looking for as many jobs as he can handle to meet the needs of the many demands in his life.  His phone number is (209) 690-9085.