Meet Rebekah Bloom

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rebekah Bloom.

Hi Rebekah, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I am, by nature, a traveler and explorer. I love to travel and everything that is inclusive of that; learning about a destination’s history and immersing myself in its culture & cuisine as much as I can.

Kansas City, historically, was a convention destination and I wanted to offer those guests an experience for the small amount of time they were in our city. An opportunity to learn about our history, culture, and sample cuisine from a variety of mom & pop restaurants in 3 hours was my goal and became the start of ‘Taste of Kansas City Food Tours.’

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Getting restaurants to respond and/or work with me was difficult. I was the very first tour company in KC and 10 years ago a food tour was unheard of. A chef, sometimes, has a different mindset from a business person; creativity vs. operations and numbers and it oftentimes did not work out to my advantage. It was a matter of helping them understand how I could help their business by bringing in new guests on a weekly basis and offer free advertising on my end through the tours. I pay for all food ordered so that it was an advantageous relationship for both of us. Not everyone understands that…

Let’s not forget this past year with the pandemic. After 10 years in business, this has been like starting all over again.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a mom first and foremost. Up until 4 years ago I was a single mom, a recent cancer survivor, and do not hold a college degree. Finding a good-paying job that allowed me to pick my girls up from school, attend my doctors appointments and pay my bills was non-existent. Starting this tour business was my only hope, at that time. I read a variety of web design books, watched numerous online tutorials about how to build a website, and was able to design and create my company’s website. My very first tour I ran had 1 person and I am still in touch with him today. This business, which began out of necessity, has become my passion and the people I have met along the way, family.

I take pride in giving every one of my guests a 5-star experience and am humbled even after 10 years that people choose to take my tours. That is not something I take lightly and appreciate each and every person that comes through.

What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
Things are always changing and the pandemic was something I never thought would happen; I thought travel was untouchable.

Right now I am trying to adjust to life’s new normal post-pandemic and things are changing on a daily basis. My business model only operates with the willingness of other restaurants and, I think, people have a hard time understanding that. We will have to wait and see what the future holds for the industry as a whole.

Pricing:

• $84- KC Historical & Foodie Tour
• $96 – KC Prohibition Tour

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.tasteofkansascityfoodtours.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tasteofkcfoodtours/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TasteOfKansasCityFoodTours