When Lauren Beebe gave her first Williamsburg tour in 2014 to a group of friends, it didn’t go as well as she had hoped. They complained of too much walking and not enough stops, not enough food. But the feedback proved invaluable and ended up being a learning experience turned game-changer that set Lauren’s company aside from all others.

Like A Local Tours, founded by Lauren in 2014, has since grown to be one of Brooklyn’s most successful tour companies. Inspired by her day job in the early 2010s, Lauren, who at the time was working in marketing for a private equity firm, saw a need for tours for people like her. People who weren’t exactly tour takers but wanted to explore foreign places like locals.

Originally from Wisconsin, Lauren moved a lot growing up. She eventually made her way to Williamsburg in 2008, before it was the popular destination that it is today. At the time, the explosion of the neighborhood was just beginning.

“I myself was not a big tour person, but I felt like there would be a way to do it right. I wanted it to feel more like I was taking a small group of friends to all of my local spots.”

Lauren loved where she lived in New York and, like many other business owners, she saw the potential in Williamsburg.

“It was the first time of anywhere I lived in New York that really felt like a neighborhood. I walked down the street and I could say hello to people. I had my spots that I would go where we all knew each other.”

To ensure the success of her company, Lauren spent a lot of time working with people who weren’t big tour takers. She eventually got the formula down and was able to impress them, consequently seeing the return in growth with her company. The first year she decided to dive all in and quit her full-time job to focus on Like A Local, she easily doubled revenue. 

But the time leading up to that wasn’t easy. It’s hard to manage working and being an entrepreneur, but Lauren learned some things along the way. A piece of advice for people who are just starting out with their business? “Time is your biggest commodity. The biggest struggle is how to be as smart with your time as an entrepreneur.”

Clearly, she’s been doing something right. When asked to reflect on her proudest moments, with zero hesitation she mentions being asked to speak at a travel conference organized on by NYC and Company.

“I was so used to going to these conference and asking people for their time, cold-emailing them. Now the tables have completely changed. It’s a completely different experience when you’re up on the stage.”

For others who are eager to get on stage, Lauren stresses the importance of sharing your ideas.

“Everyone has done pretty much everything you can ever think of, so involve as many people as you can in what you’re doing. If someone was going to steal your idea, they would’ve done it already. Instead, they might want to partner and help you.”

And another plus side of being an entrepreneur? Being in a position to help. A portion of proceeds that Lauren makes from her business go back to companies like Tourism Cares. Though a part of her will always wish she worked for a non-governmental organization or a nonprofit, owning her own business affords her the opportunity to spend as much of her time as she wants giving back. 

And Lauren didn’t let COVID-19 get her down. When the pandemic hit, Like A Local, like so many other businesses, had to cease operations and quickly pivoted to offering virtual tours which have been extremely popular. She began to offer free “walk and talks” based on the most popular walking tours and has done several private virtual tours for companies looking for activities for their employees. Now that NYC is opening back up, Like A Local has implemented health and safety protocols and are focused on hosting private tours.

Follow @likealocaltours on Instagram and sign up today for a true Like A Local experience at https://www.likealocaltours.com/.