In the heart of Phoenix, Charles Kundelius has transformed the art of sign spinning into a vibrant spectacle, captivating audiences both on the street and online. Amidst the scorching Arizona heat, Kundelius brings life to Steele Indian School Park with his dynamic performances, infusing a mix of acrobatics and passion into every spin.
Arriving at the park at 11:30 a.m., Kundelius sets the stage with Redbone’s “Come and Get Your Love” blaring from his speaker. His skills, honed over years of practice, are not limited to just spinning signs; they’re a full-fledged performance that has gained momentum on TikTok under his handle @charleskundelius, also known as OGSpinz. On this particular day, he’s mentoring a new sign spinner, showcasing the growth of his unique craft.
Originally a side job, Kundelius has turned sign spinning into a full-time endeavor, dedicating 40 hours a week to perfecting his moves and training others. His journey with AArrow Sign Spinners began via Indeed.com two and a half years ago, and his commitment has since earned him the role of general manager. His training sessions at Steele Indian School Park are a gateway for aspiring spinners, leading to job opportunities with the company.
“I just like sign spinning so much,” Kundelius shared. “Of course, I need money, but I’ve been working, being consistent and I’ve been getting raises … and I make my own schedule, and that freedom is nice.” His mother, Leah Kundelius, who goes by @princess.leah_5 on TikTok, has been a steadfast supporter, accompanying him to events and competitions. Her pride is evident as she notes the therapeutic benefits of his work, having witnessed her son shed 100 pounds since he started this journey.
Samad Khan
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Cronkite News
As Leah livestreams her son’s performance, she proudly tells onlookers about his nearly 40,000 followers. Nancy Gray, a clinical assistant professor at Arizona State University, explains that sign spinning merges the physical with the virtual, turning street corners into digital stages. “From a marketing perspective, the sign spinner is a celebrity, and then the advertising business has now become the supporting character,” she said.
Kundelius’ performances break the monotony of stationary roadside advertising, drawing attention through motion and novelty. John Nicoletti, a professor at Walter Cronkite School of Journalism, emphasizes the significance of Kundelius’ genuine approach in an era dominated by artificial intelligence. “Authenticity is crucial because of artificial intelligence,” he said.
Samad Khan
/
Cronkite News
Testimonials on AArrow’s website highlight the personalities of their spinners, not just their skills. A 5-star review for Posh Puppy Co cites Kundelius’ captivating moves as the reason for visiting their store. His TikTok presence amplifies this allure, expanding his reach and reinforcing his authenticity.
Kundelius’ journey has fostered a community of devoted followers, some of whom have become personal friends. One notable encounter involved two fans from Oregon who drove 20 hours for a training session, even gifting him a phone. “This community is really cool, because it’s about being positive and not about judging people,” Kundelius said. His story exemplifies the power of passion and authenticity in building connections—both online and offline.
This article first appeared on Cronkite News and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
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