Meet Ryan Watts

We recently connected with Ryan Watts and have shared our conversation below.

Ryan, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

Imposter syndrome is something I still wrestle with, and I think many business owners would say the same. You cannot fully overcome it; self-doubt is a normal human emotion. What’s important is learning to recognize and manage it. It’s about identifying the signs of imposter syndrome and mentally coaching myself through the emotion. When those feelings arise, I find it helpful to step back and reflect on what I’ve achieved and how far I’ve come, both professionally and personally. It’s easy to get caught up in thoughts like, “I don’t deserve to be here,” or “I have no idea what I’m doing,” or “Everyone thinks I’m a fraud.” But those are just tricks that your mind is playing on you. Managing those thoughts and reassuring yourself that you’re capable is crucial in managing imposter syndrome.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I was born and raised in Australia, and in 2023, I moved to New York City. I’ve always been passionate about food—not just enjoying it but learning about the rich history and cultural significance behind different dishes. I wanted to create a career that would allow me to follow that passion and share it with others, which led me to start my business, Tasty Tours NYC, last year.

Tasty Tours NYC is a walking food tour company where I take guests through various neighborhoods in New York City. On these tours, I introduce them to local, independently-owned restaurants to sample their specialties, while also sharing the fascinating stories behind the food and the history of the neighborhoods we’re exploring.

What makes us different is that we partner exclusively with mom-and-pop-owned restaurants that have unique stories behind them. We showcase the best-hidden food spots that are off the beaten path, ensuring our guests get an authentic and memorable experience, tasting the true essence of New York’s diverse food scene.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

The three most important qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that have been most impactful on my journey are marketing, communication, and building a strong support network.

Firstly, my background in marketing has been essential for starting and scaling my business. A solid understanding of marketing principles helped me go from 0 customers and 0 tours to having 1,500 customers and over 350 tours in the first 12 months. Knowing how to effectively promote my business online and through other channels has been crucial in growing my audience and reaching new customers.

Secondly, communication has played a huge role in my success. Running food tours is a very social job, requiring me to build rapport with customers quickly. Fortunately, I’ve developed strong communication skills throughout my career, and talking to people I’ve never met before comes quite naturally, which helps create a welcoming and engaging atmosphere on my tours.

Lastly, building a strong support network has been invaluable. Running your own business can be challenging and, at times, lonely. Unlike working in a team, where you have constant support, being a solo entrepreneur means you need to seek out that support elsewhere. Having family, friends, and other business owners to bounce ideas off and lean on has been crucial to my personal and business growth.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

The feelings of stress and being overwhelmed are emotions that come with the rollercoaster of running your own business. When I’m feeling overwhelmed this is what I typically do to help:

1) Break tasks into smaller steps: When overwhelmed, I focus on simplifying the task by breaking it down into manageable steps. This helps reduce the feeling of being overwhelmed and makes progress more achievable.

2) Prioritize and focus on one task at a time: I take a step back, assess what needs immediate attention, and focus on completing one task at a time. This helps me stay organized and regain a sense of control.

3) Take short breaks to reset: I take brief breaks to clear my mind, whether through a quick walk, deep breathing exercises, or stepping away from the task for a few minutes. This helps me return with renewed focus and energy.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tastytoursnyc.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tasty_tours_nyc/
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/tastytoursnyc
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tasty-tours-nyc/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/tasty-tours-nyc-new-york