Sign-Spinner Dreams Big, Keeps People Smiling

While sign spinning can be a temporary job for some, David Harwell, 29, has been spinning for six years and said he has no plans to quit.

"I really don't need to be out on the street, but I have a passion to make people feel good and motivate them," Harwell said.

He denies the title of "sign spinner." Instead, he calls himself a "motivational marketer."

Wherever he goes, he seems to put a smile on people's faces. His bright, white teeth and lowrider sunglasses are part of what makes him so noticeable, but it's also his dance moves that people appreciate.

Yes, that's the one. The guy motorists see dancing on the corner of Murrieta Hot Springs and Margarita Road and on Clinton Keith Road in front of the Albertson's shopping center. During an interview with Patch, Harwell sat outside of Subway. Patrons came and went, and most of them knew him.

"Hey, you're that moonwalking sign guy," they said.

One fan even gave him an iPod about a year ago. It has come in handy, he said. He listens to a variety of music, including Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Simply Red, Davie Bowie and Seal, along with some rap and hip hop.

Harwell has been spinning signs in the Inland Empire for a few years now, but first started in San Bernardino when he worked for new home builders. These days, he is doing temporary spinning work for Massage Envy and Fitness 19 in Murrieta and Wildomar, putting in 12-hours days, five to six days a week.

"I probably do about 100 moonwalks a day," he said.

He is also looking for his next big deal. He just finished a stint with four Submarina franchises in Southwest Riverside, including the one on California Oaks. The sub shop named a sandwich after him. Before that, he sold his own energy drinks through 7-11, along with 2,000 copies of an exercise video he starred in.

Now, he's got his eyes set on a deal with Subway.

A Canyon Lake resident, Harwell is originally from Hacienda Heights. He comes from a family of nine siblings, with one of his brothers, Brigham Harwell, being a former football star at UCLA.

Harwell is about two years away from getting a bachelor's degree in political science, but said he may change that major to marketing. As a another goal, Harwell said he wants to open a Chuck E Cheese type venue, but it would be called Smiley Dave's. He is currently looking for investors for that project.

Southwest Riverside can see more of Harwell from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. April 2 at Kentucky Fried Chicken, 32406 Clinton Keith Road in Wildomar, where he will be moonwalking atop a Pepsi truck. Every hour, the restaurant will be giving away gift cards and season passes to Raging Waters. Customers must buy a combo to enter for a chance to win.