“Sometimes we don’t think about it, but supporting a business in your community is really what keeps local entrepreneurship alive. I also love building relationships with business owners and vendors, not just as a tour operator but as a community member. I care about all of the people and places I feature on my tours; I really want them to thrive.” — Collin Knight
You shared a bit about the origin story behind Live Like a Local Tours during our tour with you. But can you reiterate for readers the point at which you decided to turn the touring company into a real business?
Collin Knight: For me, Live Like a Local Tours was never a hobby. I decided to quit my job officially in 2019 because I knew that I would rather be broke than work for someone else again. My immediate goal was to make sure I earned the same income I did when I worked for a nonprofit right before. It took about two years for that to happen, and I couldn’t have gotten this far without the support of my brother and wife. By the end of 2020, the company really began to take off, and I invested even more time into it, trying to really grow the business. A lot of entrepreneurs don’t have the luxury of a safety net, though, and have to keep working part-time before they prioritize their new business. But because I had support from my family, who believed in me, I was able to keep pushing.
What do you think makes for a good neighborhood tour?
I’m originally from Roxbury, but years ago I worked for a tour company in New York City, and that’s what gave me the lay of the land in terms of how to market tours, set them up, etc. It taught me that people will book a tour if it includes things they’re interested in; you don’t need a fancy website. I focus on food, history, and culture so that I’m able to stand out from other tours in Boston that aren’t as rooted in the community. It also stems from my undying support for neighborhood businesses no matter where I’ve lived.
Sometimes we don’t think about it, but supporting a business in your community is really what keeps local entrepreneurship alive. I also love building relationships with business owners and vendors, not just as a tour operator but as a community member. I care about all of the people and places I feature on my tours; I really want them to thrive.
How does being in the UGBA advance your goals as a business?
Having a community of people who can help me strategize ways to grow the business through marketing and troubleshooting issues I have has been amazing. It’s nice to be open about the skills I’m still growing in and be able to learn from others along the way. To do that with an organization like Ujima that is already aligned with my values as a business owner was the perfect match. Marketing support is especially important to me because I love being able to talk to people about their stories or mine and share what I learn on the platforms I have.
What are you most looking forward to this year?
So far, I’m a team of one, and I’m really excited to keep expanding this year. It would be great to do a tour in other Greater Boston neighborhoods like Cambridge because there’s so much history and culture in that area, but people only visit to see MIT or Havard. There’s so much more to explore over there, murals and restaurants people don’t think about. Right now, I’m organizing a trial tour on Martha’s Vineyard that will be a day trip experience in collaboration with the African American Heritage Trail, so hopefully, that comes together.
Live Like A Local Tours Boston leads immersive food, history, and culture tours of Roxbury, Dorchester, and Jamaica Plain. During tours, guests may sample local food and beverages, learn about the evolution of Boston’s neighborhoods, and the creators, owners, and operators keeping the city going. Founder, Collin Knight’s main mission is to highlight the locally-owned restaurants, venues, and artistic hubs for tourists and locals alike, and experience all the beauty Boston has to offer.
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INVESTMENT PIPELINE
Visit our Investment Pipeline Status page to
track the progress of Ujima’s investment plans, lists, and votes.
FINANCIAL DASHBOARD
For additional updates and information on the Ujima Fund, visit our Financial Dashboard.
DONATE
Donate to Ujima’s general operations.