Ep. 111 - Bentonville's Hidden Stories: The Ultimate Golf Cart Experience

If you assume you know everything about your own backyard, you are likely missing the most profitable and entertaining narratives driving your local economy. We sit down with Brian Johnson, the founder of Big on Bentonville, to uncover how he built a premier low-speed vehicle tour company that somehow managed to outrank world-class art museums in customer satisfaction.We get into the tactical reality of launching an unconventional hospitality business in Northwest Arkansas. Brian shares how a trip to Rome inspired him to buy his first custom cart, the precise legal boundaries between standard golf carts and low-speed vehicles, and how his team curated high-end experiences like their signature evening drinking tours. We also dive into the upcoming launch of their "Front Seat to Fabulous" home architecture tours and look at the exact pricing structures required to remain highly profitable.The actual execution of a local tour company isn’t all scenic drives and champagne; the hidden overhead can completely stall an operation before it starts. Brian breaks down the brutal reality of commercial insurance costs, which can top $2,000 a month just to keep the vehicles street-legal. He also gives a candid look into the unpredictable nature of tipping culture, dealing with mid-summer weather cancellations, and the necessity of keeping your guides unindebted to corporate sponsorships to maintain an authentic, high-quality story.If you care about local entrepreneurship, scaling a high-margin side hustle, and the business of boutique hospitality, you’ll get a lot from this conversation. Make sure to subscribe to the B Team Podcast and share this episode with a fellow founder.What is the best hidden local spot in your city that tourists completely miss? Let us know in the comments below!