Meet Arlin Pacheco

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Arlin Pacheco a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Arlin, you’ve got such an interesting story, but before we jump into that, let’s first talk about a topic near and dear to us – generosity. We think success, happiness and wellbeing depends on authentic generosity and empathy and so we’d love to hear about how you become such a generous person – where do you think your generosity comes from?

My Mom. She told me every time I visited our family or when I traveled alone, “Take of the people around you. If you care for your community, they will care for you”.
That is something that has stuck with me. I’ve been alone for a lot of trials in my life, but I can often remember a stranger being kind in the most inopportune moment.
It’s a strangers kindness that will save this world. Since we are all technically strangers to each other. We are all the same that way.

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?

Crazy that I was vegetarian when I started working on the KCBBQ Tour.
The BBQ Tour in retro is more than beer and barbecue. It’s the people. It’s the stories that made history.
We are storytellers and cheerleaders over here at TKC.
Yes- you may see us on the bus or in the ad but what makes us special is ALLLLLL the businesses we visit.
You see each one of those businesses is a family. It’s a struggle and a story.
That’s what we showcase.
The food shows itself off- we welcome you to the people that make Kansas City run. And smoothly at that.
We believe in mutually beneficial business. On our busses, EVERYBODY EATS.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Service. Service. Service.
Be of service. If you can make someone’s day just a little brighter and easier – maybe not forever, but just in that moment, -that’s service.
Everybody wants to be waited on, doted on, and cared for. That is most people’s ultimate goal; To be comfortable.
But It really doesn’t matter what job you have, if you can include your neighbor in a simple act of kindness,
If we all did that.
And you don’t have to be rosey and rainbows about it. Just kind.
You don’t have to be nice- but if you’re kind, it creates a strength in community that serves all.

Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?

Failures and Betrayals.
Pain is useful. I believe some of the best businesses come out of passion or pain. Not expertise.
The scars on your knees mean at one point, you played. Therefore you know how. Just because you were not star athlete yet doesn’t mean you didn’t play.
Practice and play again.
Business is costly. It’s costly to fail. Most people forget that business owners are gambling everyday. They have a cost just to turn on their lights and open their doors.
And everyday, they are hoping, strategizing and praying that the next customer comes back. Or sends a referral or what-have-you.
But business owners make the investment for you to enjoy their spaces because – or at least what I see in KC- it’s bc there is passion. Passion in some way they do things or themselves.
Whether it was passion for a product or just to not work for anybody else,
Pain and Passion win everyday. It just doesn’t always feel like it. Success imo has yet to feel easy for anyone I know.
But pain and passion- that’s something we all can relate to.
So congratulate a business owner today. They maybe made a profit- but even if they didn’t, they’ll most likely be at it tomorrow. For you, and them and every one. Whether it’s for their passion or their pain, they open their doors and let you in, in hopes you would: Be a good customer.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Tourkansascity.com
• Instagram: TourKansasCity
• Facebook: TourKansasCity
• Youtube: Tour Kansas City and The Kansas City Barbecue Tour
• Other: Thank you kindly.

Image Credits

Credit our KCBBQ Tour and our Tacos and Margaritas Tour
Tour guides featured:
Arlin Pacheco & Lavetti Vegas