In this engaging discussion, Kevin Throop, founder of Toasted Tours and former Tesla fleet sales executive, shares his journey from corporate life to creating viral wine tours. He reveals the creative process of reinventing a school bus into a unique tour vehicle and the challenges faced during the pandemic. Kevin also discusses effective marketing strategies on social media, the intricacies of pricing and logistics, and his innovative approach to expanding his fleet with trailer buses. His insights into overcoming legal hurdles and scaling operations make this a must-listen for aspiring entrepreneurs.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
From Tesla to Toasted Tours
Kevin Throop, after being laid off from Tesla, used his life savings to buy a school bus for $3,000.
He spent a year renovating it himself for wine tours, adopting a "lipstick on a pig" strategy.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Build Something Amazing
Focus on creating an amazing product and customer experience.
The product will sell itself through word-of-mouth and organic reach.
question_answer ANECDOTE
The $3,000 School Bus
Kevin, limited by funds, bought a used school bus for $3,000 without even seeing it first.
He drove it home from Escondido to Temecula, demonstrating his resourcefulness.
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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.
00:00 Introduction to a Viral Phenomenon 00:38 Meet Kevin Throop: The Man Behind Toasted Tours 00:51 From Corporate Life to Entrepreneurship 01:00 Building the First Tour Bus 01:36 Launching Toasted Tours 01:58 The Early Challenges and Successes 09:39 Marketing and Social Media Strategy 17:16 Operational Insights and Business Growth 22:37 Insurance and Financials 26:58 Expanding the Fleet: From Bus to Semi 27:29 Choosing a New Challenge 28:21 Mitigating Risks and Exploring New Ideas 28:57 The Unique Concept of Trailer Buses 31:47 Overcoming Safety Concerns 33:10 Navigating Legal and Insurance Hurdles 35:05 Building and Launching the Trailer Bus 45:43 Marketing and Public Reception 51:20 Future Plans and Opportunities
The Koerner Office - Business Ideas and Small Business Deep Dives with Entrepreneurs