Say hello to BiBNT Member Penny Dickinson

Our Member Profile series continues….

Let’s meet BiBNT member Penny Dickinson, owner of Toulouse Walking Tours.

Can you tell us about your business Penny?

Sure. Toulouse Walking Tours – English speaking, guided, walking tours of Toulouse – what it says on the tin!

Now how about sharing a little more detail? …

Our tours are a perfect way for visitors and residents alike to discover Toulouse. Customers can either book onto a scheduled walk or arrange private walking tours of Toulouse for a more bespoke service (either groups or individuals).

Currently running are a Key Sights of Toulouse walk & an Aviation History walk (and no we don’t walk around the Airbus site!). In the Autumn we’re launching a “Toulouse waterways” walk. Most walking tours last around 2 hours & we walk around 2 miles so not bad exercise either!

We also offer gift certificates – perfect for an original birthday or Christmas gift!

My aim is to provide a more personal approach – trying to deliver those little touches that made all the difference during my travels – and so I try my best to ensure that customers leave feeling that their Toulouse Walking Tour experience has exceeded their expectations.

My green shopping trolley is my trusty partner and together we’ve racked up a fair few miles on the clock….

What has been your favourite project over the years?

I genuinely love what I do and as such every walking tour is memorable to me.  I’m very privileged with what I do in that I meet some truly fascinating people – whether it’s the American business woman visiting Toulouse for a supplier review; Canadian tourists visiting the area, the local French Group who are learning English or the expat who’s lived here 15 years.

One of my favourite walks has to be one I did for the Glasgow Warriors fans last December – over for the Heineken cup match against ST.

The lads all wore their kilts & there was a great bit of banter going around. It was during the big freeze & after having spent hours in airports the night before, everyone was in high spirits to have made it over!

Half way through the walk though we found out that although their team had arrived safely in Toulouse for the match their kit sadly was still in London and so the match was going to be postponed…. at least the fans got to enjoy an interesting guided tour of Toulouse with me and my trusty trolley!

Can you tell us your mission statement?

“Helping people fall in love with Toulouse” through walking & talking!

And your business’s values and vision?

Family integration is key – Whilst our children are still young the aim is to grow steadily, to make the most of precious family time e.g. being able to be at the school gates at 4.30. Having said that the business is fully integrated into family life: our 2 year old will ask after every walk if there are ‘cakes left Mummy?’ whereas our four year old likes to guess ‘Where did your customers come from today?’ Could be useful for future geography lessons!!!.

Supporting the local community is also important to me. Exhibiting at the Mumpreneur Show in March was really satisfying as in addition to the opportunity to meet potential clients it offered a way to bring business, the local community & a charity together. Through Kazza’s café at the event – run by Mums & Tots, Toulouse (in particular it’s VP Karen) -  650€ was raised for a local charity Association Dominique. Mums & Tots members & all the exhibitors had made cakes / quiches for it which made for delicious lunches / afternoon tea for visitors & exhibitors alike. A real example of the local community & business supporting charity in their area.

Why do your customers pick you over your competition?

Recommendations from previous clients play a big part. My on-line guestbook and ratings on travel advice sites such Trip Advisor have been essential here especially for customers who are booking from the other side of the world and who obviously like to have reassurance before they make a booking decision.

People who know me and who are based here will often think of me when they have visitors over. I’m also building brand loyalty by introducing news walks to attract repeat custom.

How long have you been a member of the bibnt?

Since mid 2010.

How has business networking benefitted your company?

Everyone said to me that the 1st 12 months would be harder than hard for a tourism business…. building up word of mouth & a good reputation takes time…. A solid business network is a real enabler in this. About half of my clients come through networking and it works both ways, e.g. I bought my husband a Green Frog’s consultation gift voucher for his birthday last year; attended Admin Matters’ Trade Fair workshop and now have a good list of BiBNT contacts to recommend to people I know. I’m looking forward to getting to know more BiBNT members too!

Thanks for sharing, Penny.

Have you enjoyed one of Penny’s Toulouse Walking Tours yet? Why not come along with the BiBNT? We’ll be following Penny and her green trolley on Thursday, June 30 – 19h00 for an evening stroll through the streets and an Indian dinner afterwards for those that build up an appetite.

See others posts in the BiBNT Member Profile Series :

Sarah Bright Thomas of Bright Avocats
David Goudreau of AGS
Daren Birchall of Pigcom
Penny Sadoudi of Greenfrog Garden Design
Olivier Consales of Sopyrec
Martin Parker of Guide2MidiPyrenees