Today we’d like to introduce you to Phil Biedron.
Hi Phil, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Hi there! I am a Chicagoan by birth, a Los Angeleno by work, and an ATLien by choice. The story of Green Muffin Walking Tours began in Los Angeles. I had already held a job as a docent working on Navy Pier in Chicago, pointing out all the outstanding architecture, so starting my own company would be easy, right? (Taps mic) Right?!
When I moved to LA in 2012, I realized that there are very few walking tours accessible to the public in La La Land. So, I created the first (and only to my knowledge) free walking tour of downtown LA. The tour was donation-based, and I began to set aside 5% of all my proceedings to donate to a homeless charity there.
Flash forward, I moved to Atlanta in 2019, where I picked up my tour and offered a new one for Atlanta, based on the same business model. That proved to be a success, however, COVID being COVID, in-person tours where delayed for the time being. I decided to pivot to a web platform that could publish my tours with my narration, and the travelers began to hear the tour on their own. I have since expanded this model; I now have over 15 tours across the country you can download and listen to the history of Chicago, LA, Asheville, or wherever else.
My goal is to continue hosting tours live in Atlanta, keep donating to Atlanta Mission, and expand my tours to 20 locations by the end of the year. It’s a lot of work but I love hosting.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Hosting a donation-based tour has it’s challenges. Since travelers don’t see the value in something they didn’t pay up front, I dealt with a lot of cancellations. The saddest part is when I am the only one on the tour!
Those days have passed, thankfully, but I sometimes deal with…less than ideal amounts donated. Nevertheless, I continue on. The whole mission statement at Green Muffin is no one should be deprived of learning about the history and culture of the city they are visiting simply because they are on a shoestring budget.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Aside from creating tours, I am an actor in Atlanta. How original, I know. My favorite part of that is when my two interests intertwine. For instance, I had the pleasure to have roles on Genius MLK/X and Till. I get to tell my group I was part of historical dramas that took place here in Atlanta!
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I am a bit of a solo mission guy. However, I am working on Spanish versions of my tours. My Spanish is decent, but no where near I need it to be.
I get a lot of school groups, the more the merrier. I love teaching these kids especially about Civil Rights.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://greenmuffinwalkingtour.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greenmuffinwalkingtour
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/greenmuffinwalkingtour
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/green-muffin-walking-tour-atlanta-2
- Other: https://voicemap.me/publisher/phil-biedron
