Ep. 18 - Building a Purpose-Driven Business: Carolyn Michael-Banks’ Mission Through A Tour of Possibilities

How Carolyn Michael-Banks turned a tourism vision into a mission-driven company that educates and inspires.In this episode, you'll learn:How Carolyn Michael-Banks founded A Tour of Possibilities to educate and empower through African-American historyWhy resilience and innovation helped her business survive and evolve through COVID-19The bold decisions she made to stay mission-focused—even when it meant challenging normsHow she shifted from individual tours to scaling with larger group experiencesThe importance of boundaries, journaling, and staying aligned with your “why”How to turn obstacles into meaningful opportunities for growthWhether you're a CEO, entrepreneur, or just someone passionate about purpose-driven business, Carolyn’s journey will challenge and inspire you.Timestamps:00:00 – Introduction and Welcome01:10 – Meet Carolyn Michael-Banks05:10 – Carolyn's Journey in Tourism07:45 – Starting A Tour of Possibilities12:39 – Challenges and Resilience13:55 – Adapting During COVID-1917:32 – Shifting Focus and Scaling Up19:24 – Lessons Learned and Advice27:22 – Conclusion and TakeawaysGuest Bio:Carolyn Michael-Banks is the founder and cultural curator of A Tour of Possibilities, an African-American heritage tour company in Memphis, Tennessee. With a background in psychology and decades of experience in the tourism industry, Carolyn is known for her leadership, resilience, and dedication to telling the untold stories of Black history. A native of the Bronx, her career spans from Washington, D.C., to Savannah, Philadelphia, and now Memphis, where she continues to educate, inspire, and challenge perspectives through powerful storytelling.Visit A Tour of PossibilitiesConnect with Carolyn on LinkedInQuotes & Resources:"You should have a business with like a family atmosphere... but the reality is, some families are dysfunctional. You gotta set those limits."“I built it... but they didn’t come. I had to do the work to get it seen, known, and trusted.”“Journaling helps you remember the good stuff when you're overwhelmed by the hard.”Resources from Wayfind Marketing:Grab the Free AI Marketing Guide:https://wayfindmarketing.com/ai-marketing-guide/Take the Free B2B Marketing Assessment:https://wayfindmarketing.com/b2b-marketing-assessment/Connect with the Hosts on LinkedIn:Steve PhippsAnnieLaurie Walters