I sat down with Kevin Throop, founder of Toasted Tours, and talked about creating his unconventional tour business. Kevin, formerly at Tesla, wanted to control his destiny, starting with $65,000 and a $3,000 school bus. He renovated the bus for wine tours in Temecula, using a "lipstick on a pig" strategy to make it appealing despite limited funds.Kevin launched with a basic Instagram account, focusing on appealing visuals and honest storytelling. He emphasized customer experience, including wine and food. The move to a semi-truck trailer bus was driven by a desire for expansion and a unique platform. This required ensuring it was legal and insurable, collaborating with the California Highway Patrol. Kevin drew inspiration from Tesla and Apple, aiming for visually appealing products that sell themselves. His vision includes franchising to promote safety and best practices.https://www.instagram.com/toastedtourshttps://www.toastedtours.com/Timestamps below. Enjoy!---Watch this on YouTube instead here: tkopod.co/p-ytAsk me a question on or off the show here: http://tkopod.co/p-askLearn more about me: http://tkopod.co/p-cjkLearn about my company: http://tkopod.co/p-cofFollow me on Twitter here: http://tkopod.co/p-xFree weekly business ideas newsletter: http://tkopod.co/p-nlShare this podcast: http://tkopod.co/p-allScrape small business data: http://tkopod.co/p-os---00:00 Introduction to a Viral Phenomenon00:38 Meet Kevin Throop: The Man Behind Toasted Tours00:51 From Corporate Life to Entrepreneurship01:00 Building the First Tour Bus01:36 Launching Toasted Tours01:58 The Early Challenges and Successes09:39 Marketing and Social Media Strategy17:16 Operational Insights and Business Growth22:37 Insurance and Financials26:58 Expanding the Fleet: From Bus to Semi27:29 Choosing a New Challenge28:21 Mitigating Risks and Exploring New Ideas28:57 The Unique Concept of Trailer Buses31:47 Overcoming Safety Concerns33:10 Navigating Legal and Insurance Hurdles35:05 Building and Launching the Trailer Bus45:43 Marketing and Public Reception51:20 Future Plans and Opportunities

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