Picture of Gary Casey of Athas Walkingtours Galway

Athastours – Small business interview West of Ireland

Hello Readers,

Time for a new interview! If you are new to my blog, I have been interviewing small businesses in the West of Ireland since 2016. Check out all the interviews I have done to date. The last interview  was with An Mheital Rothar, Galway’s Community Bike shop and excited the present my newest interview with Gary Casey from Athastour walking tours in Galway.  I was walking around Spanish Arch in Galway City, and just as I walked under the Arch I saw Gary, so I thought I’d go over and say hello!

So how does this interview work, and how can you get interviewed?
I have learned that people aren’t responding to email anymore, and have gotten most of my completed questionnaires via Facebook or Twitter. The interview exists out of a number of questions that are stored in the cloud via Google docs.  I then send a link , the interviewee clicks on the link, enters the answers to the questions and the beauty is there is no need to send documents over email. I love it! I then review the questions, ask for clarifications if needed, and then publish. So if you are up for a close-up 🙂 of your business/startup in the West of Ireland, please drop me an email here or connect me with on my Workinglivingtravellinginireland Facebook Page or Twitter. I do read my email! And remember, the more you put in, the more you get out of it. Please share this interview, as I’d like to start a small movement to highlight the brilliant businesses in the West of Ireland!

Tell us a bit about yourself & where you are located in the West of Ireland.
My name is Gary Casey, 40, from Galway. I run Athas Tours guided walks of Galway city.

Picture of Gary Casey of Athas Walkingtours Galway

Picture of Spanish Arch Galway City

Can you provide me with a description of your business?
Athas Tours provided individuals and groups the opportunity to walk around and see all the main Galway city sights in a fun and energetic way. I am a sole trader at the moment and do the tours myself.

How long have you been in business? In this business? In other businesses?How did you get started in this business?
I have been in business since February 2017 in this business. I did a course on setting up a business and decided to follow through on this idea.

Is this your full time job, a hobby or a bit of both?
It is a bit of both, not quite full-time yet, but hopefully soon.

How did you get the background and skills necessary to run this type of business?
I have seen how well-run Galway is as a tourist city. The most necessary skill is telling a story with a bit of wit attached and I think I can manage that!

How do the social, economic, environmental, technological, legal and political environments impact your business?
They all have a bearing on it. Economic tourism is the key i.e. keeping the tourist economy competitive. The rest are secondary to this. Keep Joe Tourist interested by not ripping him off and giving him value for his notes.

Do you know who your competitors are?
I know very well who they are the buggers. Seriously, I think they compliment me and vice versa. Room for all.

How do you market your business? How are people aware of your business? Where can people find you?

Website: www.athastours.com
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/Athastours
Linkedin: https://ie.linkedin.com/in/athastours
Youtube: https:/www.youtube.com/c/Athastourswalkingtours

I market via social media but try to keep costs down as Facebook etc can be expensive.

Where do you see your business in the next year? In the next five years? The next ten years?
I am just going week on week. I hope to be able to expand enough to eventually get a minibus and expand to driving tours.

Do you plan to compete in the global market place? If yes, how? If no, why not?
I would love to but have not thought it fully through.

How has technology, such as computers and the internet, impacted on how you conduct business?
It is really everything, just as in every other business.

What do you love about the area you live in/do business in?
It is life itself. A flaneurs dream. People of all walks of life mixing in Galway’s tiny medieval streets, all searching for answers to questions asked forever.

Whom do you seek advice from for your business/ do you meet up with other business owners? If so, where?
I have talked to several historians and online is an invaluable source of opinion.

Can you describe your customers?
Anybody is a potential customer. I just need to make them believe!

Why do your customers select you over your competitors?
Karma.

What are the biggest challenges for running this business?
Karma and cashflow.

What keeps you going, when the chips are down?
Questionnaires from nice people I meet on the streets.

Do you support local charities? If so which is your favourite charity and why?
Yes and I fundraise. I have collected for the GRCC and GAA.

Anything special things planned for 2017?
Lots but I won’t share just yet!

Any tips for someone who is thinking of starting their own business?
DON’T OVERTHINK. As Nike and Arnold say, Just Do It.

What did you learn from this interview?
That questions lead to answers and sometimes more questions. Life is a big circle. That is good. Never let it get too square or triangular.

Just a quick reminder, please share this interview, as I’d like to start a small movement to highlight the brilliant businesses in the West of Ireland!  If you would like to be next, please drop me an email to katleen@workinglivingtravellinginireland.com and I’ll be in touch.

Connect with me on Linkedin, Twitter, Facebook!

Thanks for reading & sharing & commenting!

Katleen

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Posted in Athastours, Co. Galway, Galway, Galway City, Small Business, West Of Ireland and tagged , , .

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