We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Angee Johnson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Angee below.

Angee, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

Twelve years ago, my sister and brother in law asked, “We’re moving to California. Do you want to come with us?” I had thirty days’ notice. No job. Nowhere to live. I had never even visited San Luis Obispo. I said yes anyway.
It made no sense on paper, which is usually my cue that it’s the right move. I packed up my life, drove west, and trusted I’d figure it out once I landed. I was terrified and exhilarated at the same time, and I’ve since learned that’s what growth actually feels like.
That leap rewired how I think about fear. We obsess over what ifs, but rarely get curious about what could happen. I didn’t have a perfect plan, but I trusted myself to adapt.
That same mindset led me to start Taste of SLO Food & Wine Tours in 2018. Here’s the irony: I had never been on a food tour before launching my own. What I did know was hospitality how to create warmth, connection, and memorable experiences around great food. I bet on that being enough.
It was.
Since then, I’ve taken over 30 food tours across 14 countries, refining and evolving the business along the way. Taste of SLO has grown into a company that introduces thousands of visitors to San Luis Obispo through food, wine, and storytelling.
None of the things I was afraid of ever came true. What did happen was a life and business I never could have planned. Taking that first risk taught me that fear is often just a mental constraint, and stepping outside your comfort zone isn’t just scary it’s exhilarating.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m Angee Johnson, founder of Taste of SLO Food & Wine Tours in San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles, California. I create food and wine experiences rooted in genuine hospitality and local storytelling.
I started Taste of SLO because San Luis Obispo is built on small business. It’s a community of people pouring their passions into what they make. SLO doesn’t have a centuries old food culture like Italy or France. Instead, its food is shaped by people from everywhere, chefs inspired by their grandmothers, owners recreating the perfect bagel they once had in New York, flavors driven by memory and curiosity.
Taste of SLO offers guided food and wine walking tours that take the guesswork out of where to eat. We turn great local food into an experience that feels personal, social, and relaxed.
What sets us apart is intention. We partner with passionate, locally owned businesses and design tours that feel like being shown around by a well connected local friend.
I’m most proud of building a business that celebrates small business and connection. Taste of SLO isn’t just about eating well, it’s about understanding a place through the people who make it.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

Absolutely. A few resources have had a real impact on how I think about running and growing my business. The Tourpreneur Facebook groups and in person tour operator meetups have been invaluable for learning from people who are actively doing the work. There’s something powerful about being in community with peers who understand the realities of the industry.
Chris Torres’s book Turn Lookers into Bookers and his podcast have been especially influential. His philosophy around marketing, clarity, and conversion helped me think more strategically about how guests actually find and choose tours, and how to meet them where they are.
I’ve also learned a tremendous amount through free resources like SCORE and the SLO Business Center. Their classes, workshops, and one on one consulting feel like free college, offering access to seasoned experts who genuinely want small businesses to succeed.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

My resilience showed up almost by accident during COVID. While much of the world shut down, people were desperate to feel normal, to get out of the house, and to connect in safe ways. Taste of SLO was able to meet that moment.
Because of our year round weather and outdoor format, we could continue operating when many businesses couldn’t. Instead of slowing down, those became our highest sales years. People weren’t just booking a tour, they were booking a sense of relief, connection, and something to look forward to.
That experience reinforced something I already believed. Resilience isn’t always about grinding through hardship. Sometimes it’s about being flexible, paying attention, and showing up when people need you most.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tasteofslowalkingfoodtour.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tasteofslo/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tasteofslo/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tasteofslo/
• Twitter: https://x.com/TasteofSLO
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@tasteofslo
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/taste-of-slo-food-and-wine-tours-san-luis-obispo-8?osq=food+tour

Image Credits

Namu Williams