The Big Questions – Lynn Broughton, Taste Detours

Championing and elevating food people and places through exploration and connection.

Take a bite off the beaten path, come take a Detour. Taste Detours are food and drink tours with a heritage twist. On these flavourful tours we introduce you to our local, independent food people and places. In between these tasting stops we spotlight history, architecture, and culture — step bite step. We are telling the stories of the people and the places that give Wellington County its flavour, through the cuisine that gives this slice of Southwestern Ontario its magic.

We want to share our love of Wellington County by pointing out the culinary links between our rural heritage and our growers and makers of today. This region has deep agricultural roots, so food – fresh, good, local, food – comes naturally to us. We celebrate the power of a full plate, cup, or bowl, to bring people and communities together.

All of our experiences harness the power of story-sharing. At Taste Detours, we aim to celebrate our regional heritage by uncovering the stories found within small towns and mid-sized cities via local flavour — offering the opportunity to learn some little-known lore of the area, and to hear directly from local food and drink purveyors themselves. Unique locales where you have to dig a bit deeper to unearth the true sense of place.

Mostly we want to facilitate connections. Connections that are made between these innovative restaurateurs, chefs, farmers, brewers, cheesemakers, bakers, and their use of the surrounding agriculture. Connections between each other too, by simply slowing down and breaking bread together. Something humans do all over the world, and something founder Lynn Broughton loves to do.

You can find Taste Detours on their website and on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Q: When was the moment you first knew you were meant to be an entrepreneur?

I realized that independently operating Food Tours was the accumulation of all the places I’ve been and all the work and interests to date, and this was freeing. I also had exhausted my patience for bosses! ha.

Q: What is the biggest challenge you have faced starting your business?

Doing all pieces of the business myself. The juggling of marketing, financials, and event planning keeps me on my toes. Communication eats up a large part of my time but I believe it’s the key piece.

Q: What is the most important piece of advice you would give to others who are starting their own
business?

Being nominated for and winning some entrepreneurial awards makes me proud of course, but it’s the delight on the faces of the people I’ve educated and fed on tour that is the biggest win. I know it’s been a perfect experience when we feel like fast friends after only 3 hours.

Q: What is the most important piece of advice you would give to others who are starting their own business?

Keep up with your financials regularly. If able, do the work that is your strength and farm out that which takes you too long. There are experts for a reason.

Q: What was the biggest key to your success? How do you measure success?

I have tangible success measurements via reviews and tour interest, followers, and champions on social channels. The key though? The spirit of conviviality achieved when with my guests. The level of interest, enthusiasm, and feedback.

Q: If you could go back in time, is there anything you would change about your entrepreneurial
journey?

Don’t let that voice in my head suggest that I can’t afford help. Anticipate my weaknesses and don’t waste time on them.

Additional comments:
Danced through a total shut down during Covid, and kept Taste Detours relevant. Coming out the other end, I see things more clearly. What works and what doesn’t. Where and who to put my energy. I feel like it’s a shiny future whatever that may look like.