We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Arlin Pacheco a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Arlin thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Crazy stuff happening is almost as certain as death and taxes – it’s technically “unexpected” but something unexpected happening is to be expected and so can you share a crazy story with our readers

I often get asked what my most memorable tour is. I have a few for sure and counting. But I do think one of my first go-to memories is quite a while ago. I wasn’t new but I wasn’t fully seasoned yet and it was a little under 100 people. We had our double decker buses out and this company event had brought in their entire national staff. That was no big deal- but their itinerary was. They wanted to do EVERYTHING. And they did! We did sightseeing, barbecue, museums, activities and even tailgating at a Chiefs game. There was definitely drinking.-About ten hours of it. It was for sure my longest tour. It was 13 hours from leaving lot to back to lot. My brain was fried. Flashbacks of herding drunk fans across the Arrowhead parking lot- did I get everybody? The wind in my hair as I’m on top of this double decker, which actually was a very Titanic moment for me. I thought either we are about to sink or make history. We made history of course. The client walked away happy and fulfilled. Safe to say, my tours help with employee loyalty for a reason!
Everyone stayed safe and was returned as desired- feeling happy and fully Kansas City-fied! That company still does their company parties with us but now split thru the year- which keeps me from flying off into the mist I-70.
Company parties really are my favorite just bc you get to see how people are in the field they’re thriving in. It’s not about getting your employees drunk or buying them a pizza party, it’s about literally turning them into family with a memorable experience. And that’s what we do.

Arlin , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

At the end of the day, I’m an artist. The people, the food, the city? Those are all paint colors and canvas. I can simply state that I run food tours and private parties. Yup. That’s technically what we do.
But truly, I feel like I’m a puppet master in the Great Gatsby! I get to bring people’s ideas and milestones, not just to life- but to a vibrant cinematic 4D real life experience that they will literally cherish for the rest of their lives. We are architects for Memorable Celebrations.
I giggle that I get to sit on peoples family walls at home, in their photo albums and more. Just little ‘ol’ me chillin’ in the family portrait with Rob and Sue. I get to be a part of the family without having to sit thru the family drama. Though, sometimes that’s fun too. We absolutely can be just something to liven up a Tuesday, but usually and more often- We are the Kansas City Disneyland people have been looking forward to. We are the Mecca people cross their pilgrimage to get to. And well- there’s just something pretty special and fun about being the Willy Wonka of BBQ and of KC. Maybe it’s more Glinda? Idk I haven’t seen Wicked yet.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

People are not you.
One thing I have definitely learned is that no one is going to do it like you do.
That’s both a good and bad thing. It means you have to remember other people’s perspectives. They have their own agendas and priorities and sometimes that’s quite different than yours. It’s great when it’s new ideas and ways of collaboration and up-leveling. But it also means that if you want something done “your way”, you better do it yourself. No one else is going to have your passion and view on the subject. Just you.
And that’s both the burden and the blessing. It’s what makes you special. Your unique take on things.
Now once you accept this and have learned to pass it on by inspiring people into their own passion; That’s when your work turns into the gift. And with the right people, it becomes twice as fulfilling.
But yea, sometimes you have to remember your own catch 22, so you can flip-it and reverse it.

Can you share one of your favorite marketing or sales stories?

I’ve always been in journalism, marketing and arts.
One is always selling the other.
But I was fresh out of college, just finished Art Institute for Animation & Comp Sciences in Los Angeles and was building my portfolio. I was working in some music studios nearby and ended up at a Kinko’s Copy store. As I stood in line, in front of me was a very large man in a very large suite asking about a post card design he wanted them to make. The cashier was telling him that they do basic stuff and he’s better off using one of their computers and designing it himself. As he walked away mumbling, he was obviously displeased with the answer given. I move up in line.
We all get these moments when we feel we should say something. Maybe we have the answer but it’s not our conversation and welp- society often says butt out. Not your business. (Yet?)
But I am pretty hard headed when it comes to basic societal rules.
So I wander over to the man and let him know that I overheard and have my laptop in the car. I told him I could design his postcard in about half an hour if he liked.
And that’s what we did right there in Kinkos. Easiest 400$ I made by NOT keeping my mouth shut.
Come to find out, it was the very first live concert for Hannah Montana and they needed the greeter cards for a private concert in AZ. The man was actually a Hollywood manager to the stars and would end up becoming my sole client for the next year and half at least. He would go on to love my “gusto” and “get-it-done” attitude. Keeping me on to work multiple shows like High School Musical and other WB/ Disney shows as a primary designer and artist.
He’s still a dear friend to this day.
Safe to say that most of the “Iconic” people and jobs I’ve had and met came simply bc I did NOT know when to shut up and just went for it. Nothing fancy- just ask for the ask.
The right people will respond accordingly and love you for it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://TourKansasCity.com
• Instagram: TourKansasCity
• Facebook: TourKansasCity
• Youtube: Tour Kansas City & The Kansas City Barbecue Tour
• Yelp: The KC BBQ Tour
• Other: https://TheKCBBQTour.com

Image Credits

“ContentKC: Josh Haddad”