
What is your company’s impact on UK/global market? What do you want your business to be remembered for?
We want to be remembered for our dedication to customer service. Although we also cater for a domestic market, we know that there is a language barrier for some tourists, so our tours create an audio-visual experience to tie those from around the world together into the same adventure. We do this using the latest projection and tablet equipment, and host games within our events that everyone loves to get involved with. We want to create city-wide magic – this is why we are currently hiring expert improvisational tutors and vocal coaches to make sure our staff are the best of the best.What is your business model?
We have some popular events, like our Harry Potter walking tour, but we are always looking to build new, amazing tours, such as our latest event, the Cheese Crawl, which offers the latest and greatest cheese crazes on offer in London.Do you plan to trade globally, enter new markets, etc. in the next 12 months?
In the last 12 months, we’ve launched on dozens of new platforms. We’ve most recently been sponsored by one of the world’s largest tour resellers and activity brokers, which has meant a huge recruitment drive for SYC. It’s been great fun, it’s amazing to see so many new starters as keen as we are to boast the SYC brand.How did you fund your business?
We actually simply started from scratch, and bootstrapped it. Being tour guides ourselves, we ventured to do every piece of work we could, admin and hosting. It was only after a month that we hired a guide, which gave us more time to focus on growing the business and creating new events.What has been your highest point?
Our highest point was the offer, and acceptance, of sponsorship by one of the world’s most successful activity providers. It’s proof that we’re doing the right thing, and it’s been recognised by our customers.What has been your lowest point?
Early on we were trying a number of different ideas to capture the world’s attention, but it’s taken us time to find the customers voice. We know what people want now, and we’re providing it.What would tell your younger self?
What is your biggest piece of advice to other entrepreneurs?
Find your voice, cement it, and then project as far as you can.What is your guilty pleasure?
I like to go down now and again and watch as my happy customers are expertly choreographed by my employees onto tours around the city.What is a day in your life like?
I try to get up before my fiancé so I can part walk her to work, I strongly believe a brisk morning walk opens your eyes and prepares you for the day, as someone that works from home. I clear my inbox at my desk at home, then try and create new work for myself by reaching out to clients and customers. Once I’ve done that I dash down to watch the tours run, so I can physically tweak their running too.What’s on your reading list right now?
I’ve recently started reading a “how to speed read” book, which is fascinating. It trains you to do so by encouraging you to speed read the book itself. So, I’ve sped read a speed reading book, and feel all the better for absorbing important information from the world around me.What’s on your watch list right now?
I think I may have left it too late, and the world is full of spoilers, but “The Wire”.Share this story