Newsletter
Sed ut perspiciatis unde.
SubscribeWe’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Lise Hines. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Lise below.
Thank you for joining us today, Lise. Can you tell us more about Chew On This Tasty Tours and what sets it apart from other food experiences?
Absolutely! First of all, thank you for having me. Chew On This Tasty Tours is more than just a food tour; it’s a culinary adventure. We pride ourselves on creating immersive experiences that go beyond transactional stops. Our goal is to showcase the passion and stories behind each business we visit. When guests join our tours, they not only leave with full bellies but also with a genuine appreciation for the local community.
That sounds wonderful! How long has Chew On This Tasty Tours been operating, and what achievements are you most proud of?
We’ve been running for four incredible years. During this time, we’ve supported hundreds of small businesses and provided memorable experiences for thousands of guests. The feedback we’ve received has been overwhelmingly positive. Many describe our tours as a “grown-up play date” or an opportunity to “explore like a local.”
In terms of specific achievements, there are a few that stand out. In 2022, we won a grant for our tourism product, With The Chef, which offers intimate and elevated dining experiences featuring celebrity Chef Vikram Vij at Vij’s in Vancouver. The following year, in 2023, we earned the Traveller’s Choice Award from TripAdvisor, placing us in the top 10% of things to do worldwide. And most recently, in 2024, I had the honour of speaking about my entrepreneurial journey at the Tourism Industry Conference in Victoria, BC.
Impressive! Beyond business success, how has Chew On This Tasty Tours impacted the communities you serve?
This is where our heart truly lies. By shining a spotlight on charming locales beyond the big cities, we’ve helped drive foot traffic and revenue to struggling businesses during challenging times. But it’s not just about financial impact. Our tours foster connections—between guests and vendors, between people who share a love for food and exploration. These connections strengthen the fabric of our communities in a meaningful way.
Beautiful! So, what’s the core philosophy behind Chew On This Tasty Tours?
Our core philosophy revolves around celebrating and supporting local businesses and the people who make each community unique. Food and exploration are our vehicles for achieving this. I feel honoured to be part of this mission, and I can’t wait to share these special places with even more people in the years to come. And we’re expanding our model to other BC communities too!
Fantastic! Finally, what factors do you think contributed to building your reputation within your market?
Several factors have played a crucial role. First, our self-guided, itinerary-led tours allow guests to explore local communities at their own pace. It’s a more personalized experience compared to traditional guided tours. Second, our close relationships with destination hosts—showcasing their passion and stories—have fostered genuine connections. Third, positive customer reviews, testimonials, and word-of-mouth have been powerful tools for building our reputation.
And let’s not forget our evolution to a self-guided model. It aligns perfectly with our preference for independent exploration and authenticity. Lastly, our adaptability during the pandemic challenges demonstrated resilience and nurtured a positive reputation among both customers and the community.
Good for you! Finally, how did you build your audience on social media?
Although I had a personal Facebook and Instagram account for years, I wasn’t savvy about using it as a marketing tool for business. I opened the accounts months before launching.
The main things I focused on to establish and build my accounts were:
1. Post consistently
2. Learn the “flavour profile” of each platform’s audience. In the beginning I was just sharing the posts from Instagram over to Facebook and that had little impact.
3. Share about what’s coming up along with what’s happened in your business. People like to anticipate and be brought into your vision.
4. Periodically invest in authentic marketing content from influencers within your budget who reflect your demographic.
5. Give your audience a peek at you and share the heart of your business.
6. Focus on two platforms and do them well.
7. If you can’t post a great quality photo, don’t post.
8. Try different hashtags.
9. If you get a review, post it!
Contact Info:
Suggest a Story: CanvasRebel is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know
here.
