Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Miller.
Hi Laura, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Born and raised in Kansas City, I’m passionate about my hometown. As a former educator, corporate trainer, and public speaker, I’ve always been drawn to opportunities where I can explore new content, write creatively, and guide others through a learning experience, in a fun and meaningful way.
After 25-years of working for others, I took a leap, quit my job, and started a business. That was December, 2019. Timing is everything, right?
I started offering walking tours at the beginning of the pandemic, April of 2020. Even though there were challenges, the timing worked in my favor. People were feeling isolated and scared; they were told to stay inside and keep socially distanced. We were all missing our friend groups, exercise, and just simple, joyful moments. The guided walking tours, where we could be outside and spread out, where we had the chance to reconnect not only with others, but with the city, where we could learn a little history, and see some vibrant murals, resonated with many people.
What started out as two themed walking tours: ‘History of Kansas City’ and ‘Murals of the Crossroads’, gradually expanded. We now offer nine themed tours, step-on guided narration for bus tours, private group tours, family reunions, corporate events, public lectures and presentations, podcasts and interviews.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Because of my background in education, the programming component was the easy part. I love to create new content and research the history and the history-makers. Developing and testing unique routes and exploring new themes and tour ideas excited and energized me.
My biggest challenge early on was learning how to grow the volume of customers and attract customers to my new business. Kansas City offers some amazing and free resources available to new entrepreneurs and I took advantage of the Women’s Business Center and the Kauffman Foundation. I asked for an SBA counselor and a SCORE mentor, who all offered invaluable insight.
Another challenge was a self-imposed idea that I had to do it all on my own; that couldn’t be farther from the truth. I connected with as many locally-owned, small businesses, as possible for collaborations and conversations. What I discovered was a community of like-minded people just waiting to be asked to partner! I’ve worked with large corporations and small, family-owned businesses; local groups and out-of-towners; groups that speak another language and come with their own translator; school-aged students and senior living communities. I thoroughly enjoy the opportunity to make new friendships along the way.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Cowtown Tours began with two walking tours: History of Kansas City and Murals of the Crossroads. Through the years, we added themed tours focused on architecture, public art, coffee & shopping, mobsters, and the sculptures & fountains of the Plaza. Most of these tours utilize the KC Streetcar to get us from place to place, and many embed stops at local shops where we try a sample or learn about a small business.
In the last two years, most of our tour guests come from outside of Kansas City. Approximately 75% of the work comes from travel agents and touring companies who are seeking a Step-on Guide to provide guided narration for their bus travelers. I work with many Senior Living Communities inside the KC metro, as well as traveling groups of retirees.
I’m a storyteller, at heart, and I believe that the best tours incorporate vivid and compelling stories about the people, not just a series of dates and locations. I’m lucky enough to share those stories as a lecturer with multiple topics on the history of Kansas City.
Pricing:
- $40 per person (Public Tour)
- From $300 (Private Group Tour)
- $35 per person (Step-on Guide)
- Contact Laura for public speaking fee
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cowtowntours.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cowtowntourskc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100067845824823
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauramillerkcmo
