Today we’d like to introduce you to Paul Barile.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
So there are two elements of my life where I am pursuing exactly what I was put on earth to pursue. (There are other distractions – but the two I live for are the focus on my life.)
I am the owner/operator of The Accidental Tour Guide Inc. This company is the manifestation of fourteen years of giving tours and telling stories for someone else’s company. For all those years I was doing every kind of tour imaginable. A few years ago I learned that I absolutely love giving group day tours. I specialize in senior groups who want to get out and see something new or different whether in Chicago – or anywhere a bus can get us.
I tell stories – corny jokes – I sing. If we did a downtown highlights tour with three different groups – there would be three different tours. I’ve talked to people who said they chose my company (or requested me) because it is so clear I am having a good time – they have a good time as well. I still subcontract for many of my regular clients.
I also drive a trolley. That’s a different tour – but it keeps the wits sharp.
When it comes to writing – it is the most joyful thing I can do. I have a novel “My Brother’s Hands” (Lexicographic Press) in regional (minimal) distribution. I have an audiobook “Chasing Happy” (Mint 400 Records) where quality mp3s are sold. I have a new comic book “The Summit of Justice” (Lefty’s Pride) coming out in early 2018. I maintain a poetry blog and have had several plays published and produced.. I am also a storyteller haunting some of the Chicago storytelling shows.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The road to being a tour guide – to opening this business – has been smooth sailing. I have been blessed to be surrounded by people who trusted me with their clients. I have gotten support from my bread and butter job to do on the tours to develop the company and the client list. I have had many great mentors. One of the great mentors of my tour guiding life has been Rich Capone. He taught me the ropes with regard to ordering buses – obtaining insurance – putting together solid itineraries.
The company is called the Accidental Tour Guide because I never thought I’d been doing this all these years after an accidental hiring at Chicago Trolley and Double Decker Company. The challenges are not even serious. The first is when I used to do paranormal/gangster tours I often found myself dealing with people who had been over-served. That is never fun. The other challenge is when you have back-to-back downstate school tours and you have to report at 6:30 a.m. for three or four days in a row.
The writing has been a struggle if only because of rejection letters. I have had some amazing successes and some heartbreaking lows – but reading was important to my father and I am able to connect with his spirit when I write. I know that sounds a bit corny – but I am kind of corny.
Writing is a solitary pursuit and it takes time so the other struggle (sometimes) is finding was time to put the pen to the paper. You always find a way – every single day – with no exception.
The Accidental Tour Guide – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
So what ATG does is set up tours. Once I have been contacted by a client I ask what they are interested in (I send out a LOT of brochures and postcard trying to drive people to my website.) Then I set up an itinerary which outlines the trip – what we’ll do – when and how.
I’ll rent a bus and on the day I]'[ll show up and we will do the tour – the trip the event. I specialize in senior day trips – and cool Chicago trips.
I am very proud of ATG for the exact reason that sets me apart from the others. I am not a boring academic who snoozes guests. I bring energy to the tour. I am a club singer on the side so I keep my (musical) tracks on my phone so between stops -or when stuck in traffic – I can break out a little Dean Martin or Frank Sinatra and suddenly all is good. I have to be clear that I don’t sacrifice good honest Chicago history and culture for cornball humor and music. I use one to enhance the other.
Every tour is a brand new experience for the guests so it becomes a brand new experience for me. As a writer – I write. I just write. The thing I am most proud of is that I am able to teach writing at a suburban college. I am able to infuse writers with the passion for the craft. I am able to create a community of novice writers who I can support and inspire. I always tell my students they are in my universe for as long as they like.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I define success by the having the freedom (cash) to travel to a Steelers game once a year.
I also define success by the reactions people have when they have been on my tour. At the end of a three day Door County trip, a guest approached me as they were getting ready to head home. He said, “You’re the most talented, man I have ever met..” That is my success.
I think my ideas of success might be a little too esoteric. Success to me is having my lovely kid tell me she’s proud of me.
Physical markers would be the remodeling of my house. Probably not the loftiest of ideas – I am remodeling my house one room at a time. Each room is a marker of success.
I will always have my hustle working – but the success is having control of my income and my time.The success is doing so well that word of mouth keeps me working until I am ready to be done working.
Contact Info:
- Address: 7111 W. 74th street Chicago IL 60638
- Website: http://atgtrips.com/
- Phone: 78-557-0717
- Email: paulbarile@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/word.dude/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/word.dude
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/lyricalone
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/user_details?userid=4JqFihhsOfemB7_HiuJoiw
- Other: http://www.iampaulbarile.com/
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