If you’ve ever driven or walked the streets of Plant City, chances are, Natalie Rebel has said hello.
She can be found on the corner of Collins Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, or at the intersection of Wheeler or Alexander streets, wearing a bright yellow sign with red writing. Call her a walking billboard, mobile advertising or, as she puts it, a “professional sign waver” — Rebel is the longtime face for Jewelry by El-Mar, 814 W. Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd.
Rebel has worn her advertisement board for nearly two-and-one-half years. A former owner of a house-cleaning business based in Polk County, the Plant City native found herself out of work for two years following the downturn in the economy. A friend told Rebel where she may be able to get a job, and she has been with Jewelry by El-Mar ever since.
“I really do enjoy it,” she says. “I never thought that I would be doing something like this, but I love it.”
The work is grueling — standing outside on the corners of busy intersections for 40 hours, six days per week. And now, with Florida’s intense summers returning, the job is becoming increasingly more difficult, and it isn’t for everyone.
“It takes a person that enjoys being outside that’s friendly,” she says. “You’ve got all kinds of people that are walking and driving past that you interact with.”
Rebel likes to make the job as fun as possible, including wearing different accessories.
“I like to wear different wigs and things like that,” she says. “I really like working in Plant City. I really like the people here.”
Rebel has met plenty of people through her job. Some will even come looking and asking about her if they don’t see her out at her usual spots.
“It doesn’t matter what corner I stand at, if I miss a day, someone will come and ask if I’m OK,” she says.
Rebel has even had snowbirds and part-time Plant City residents who will talk to her and remember her when they return.
“I had a lady last week come and tell me she was leaving and that she’ll be back in September,” Rebel says. “She even took a picture of me to go up north and show her family the lady that stands on the corner with a sign in the heat.”
Along with the high temperatures during the dead of summer, there are negative parts of the job, but Rebel doesn’t let those aspects discourage her.
“I’ve had some people say some pretty mean things, but I overlook stuff like that,” she says.
For every bad moment, there are many more good ones. Rebel has seen Santa Claus on a motorcycle, Hulk Hogan and an Elvis impersonator, who was also a professional sign waver.
“It’s a lot different than I thought it would be, but I love it,” she says. “You have to have fun but also be professional with it, because you’re representing a company.”