Exploring Life & Business with Rachel Strobolson of Denver Local Tours

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel Strobolson. 

Hi Rachel, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I had been working in hotel management since 2006 and by 2018 I was hitting the point of burnout. I was basically coming home every day from work crying my eyes out. I was overly stressed, working 60+ hours a week and I knew I had to make some life changes. So, in February of 2018, I took the entrepreneurial leap and decided to start my own business. With a shoestring budget, my passion for hospitality, and the idea of creating unforgettable experiences, Denver Local Tours was born. 

It’s been an exciting 4 years. When I started the company, I had one experience (1.5-hour LoDo Walking Tour) and it was just me guiding the tours. We now have an amazing team of guides and offer over 7 different tour options, along with custom tours. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Honestly, it’s been a fun and exciting road but of course, there have been some struggles and growing pains along the way. 

When I was getting the company off the ground, I still needed a part-time job to help pay rent. During the day I would host tours, then in the evening, I would run to a part-time tech support job at a start-up downtown. I felt like I was living a double life for the first year we were in operation. 

In 2019 the company really started to pick up steam, and I was at the point where I needed to hire people. I asked my husband, Will, if he wanted to go “All-In” to the company with me and we became a husband-and-wife duo. It was a scary moment, as I left my part-time job and Will left his full-time job. We began working on all aspects of the business together. 

We were really hitting our stride, growing, and 2020 was set to be our “big year.” Then Covid hit… Dun Dun Dunnnn… 

For us 2020 was a super challenging year (Like many small businesses). We only operated for 3 months, August, September, and October, but we survived! We know we can make it through anything and we are excited for 2022. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Denver Local Tours was formed through our genuine love for the city and our desire to create unforgettable experiences for visitors and locals alike. 

We specialize in unique walking tours of the Mile High City. We LOVE our city and we are committed to creating community-driven experiences where you know that by eating at a local restaurant, drinking at a local bar, and shopping local you are not only supporting our community— you are now part of our community. 

Our focus on the guest experience is what really set us apart from other companies. We understand that most people don’t want to just “see a city” they want to experience it. When you leave our tours, you’ll truly feel more like a local and less like a tourist. 

I’m really proud of our “Tours With A Purpose Program.” 

Tours with a Purpose donates $1 per person of every tour ticket sold to a local non-profit organization that is impacting Denver’s community on a daily basis. Each month we partner with a different organization, volunteer at the organization, and donate $1 per guest that attended a tour during that month. For us, it’s all about community, connection, and the impact we can have on each other’s lives. 

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
As a child, I was really shy, very kind, and quiet. I hated to wear dresses and wanted to be an astronaut. Even though I was shy, I dabbled in many things and was fortunate to explore my different interests. I was 100% a band geek and I loved to play my clarinet. I was very athletic and also enjoyed playing softball (I even played left field in college). In elementary school, I was a geography nerd and couldn’t wait to get my hands on my grandparents’ monthly national geographic magazine subscriptions. I always fantasized about traveling, experiencing new cultures, and seeing what life was like in different parts of the world. 

Public speaking scared me to death. I was never the person to raise my hand in class even if I knew the answer, so it’s a bit comical to me that I now do public speaking for a living. 

Pricing:

• $25 – 1.5 Hour LoDo Walking Tour
• $89- LoDo Food Tour
• $60 – RiNo Distillery Tour

Contact Info:

• Email: info@denverlocaltours.com
• Website: www.denverlocaltours.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/denverlocaltours/
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/denverlocaltours
• Other: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g33388-d13417962-Reviews-Denver_Local_Tours-Denver_Colorado.html