Carlos Sanchez Celebrates 'Free Enterprise' Win at Verjus

Across a Springfield Avenue-facing window in Verjus Monday evening, a large banner read "Congratulations, Carlos Sanchez."  Below it, Sanchez, his family, the United States Chamber of Commerce and quite a few Maplewoodians were celebrating Sanchez, free enterprise and a YouTube video. 

Last October, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce started a campaign "to educate and remind Americans about the importance of the free enterprise system… that it's the system that's going to help Americans create the jobs we want to lead ourselves out of the recession," according to Erin Stinton, manager of internal communications for the Chamber. 

Stinton told Patch that one of the triggers for the campaign launch was that the Chamber "did some surveys and learned that the majority of people, especially young people, think free enterprise is a very negative thing."

The campaign invited anyone over the age of 18 to create and upload a three-minute video to YouTube, explaining what free enterprise means to them. "It was completely open," continued Stinton, who explained that a series of voting rounds took place, eventually placing Sanchez, a proud resident of Maplewood, on top as the grand prize winner. 

Sanchez grew up in project housing in Brooklyn, surrounded by drugs and gangs.  He is a veteran of the Navy and a member of the American Council on Exercise.  Sanchez created Maplewood Boot Camps, a fitness program based in, you guessed it, Maplewood.  He overcame adversity, and instead of simply living the wonderful life he's made for himself, his goal is to help others overcome their challenges.

Sanchez says that exercise is simply his vehicle to support people in their lives.  When you're his camper, he's going to help you with more than just your squat-thrusts—he cares about his "campers." By their presence in both the virtual voting booths and at Verjus for his celebration, one can plainly see that the caring is mutual. An avid sneaker collector and blogger, Sanchez has also created the YouTube channel Sneak Geekz.

 "It's just incredibly exciting," exclaimed Sanchez, who is delighted more about getting his voice out there than winning the grand prize. Sanchez is grateful to the Chamber for putting the contest together and giving him "the opportunity to tell my story." He's thankful for his campers that came to celebrate with him at Verjus, everyone who voted for him, and to Maplewood "for being a really cool town where I can do what I've done."

The grand prize, by the way, is a check for $50,000.

Mr. Sanchez was presented with a certificate from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and invited to Washington, D.C. for their job summit on July 14.  Once there, he and the other winners will be presented with their checks.