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Meet Jervis- our founder and bicycle rider!
1. What’s your name (can include nicknames)
Jervis. I’m the founder of eXpertLocal.
2. What sorts of tours and experiences do you run?
I run a relaxed fun cycling tour that starts at Manly Beach and heads out to the picturesque Manly Dam and back. The view is divine and the ride makes it all the more worth it.I also enjoy local cafes and exploring the coffee scene in Sydney.
3. What lead you to run these experiences?
I love being outdoors, exploring. I also really enjoy relieving the stress and hustle of a busy week by riding my bicycle.So I see this as a great way for people to explore a very scenic part of Sydney, getting to meet new people and getting some exercise in the process. With the growth of Sydney bicycle culture, it seemed like a cool thing to try.
4. What’s your idea of a fun night out?
Discovering new foods and/or drinks at the same time meeting some fun easy going relaxed people.Going to multiple destinations with a group and with someone who knows the local restaurant and/or pub scene well enough to ensure we try the right things is definitely what I like doing.
5. What’s the coolest travel experience you’ve ever had?
My first scuba diving experience. It was in Jamaica. I received a 5-minute intro/lesson at the resort swimming pool. A few minutes later I was in the ocean scuba diving with local (friendly?) sharks!Talk about diving in the deep end!
6. Why do you want to meet people through experiences and activities?
Meeting people from different cultures and backgrounds is like travelling – without actually travelling. While showing other people your local area and lifestyle, you get to learn more about them, where they’re from, what experiences they’ve had. It’s a wonderful way to see the things you enjoy doing or even the places you live through a fresh pair of eyes.I believe meeting people who have a similar interest as you is a great way to expand your friend circle. Its easier this way because you already have something in common to discuss and build from.
7. Describe your ideal tour participant
The fact that someone has booked my tour means that I already have something in common with them, which is basically what I would ideally want.I also love meeting people from different background and cultures.
Spending time with people from other countries is the cheapest way to travel
9. What do you love about Sydney?Variety. Sydney has the everything you want in a city. Food from all over the world, the most picturesque harbour, great weather, awesome beaches, and lots to discover. There is also great history from The Rocks to Parramatta to the Northern Beaches.
Sydney really is a wonderful, vibrant and inspiring city. I think we forget sometimes just how magical this city is. So if I can help people discover a new part or experience in Sydney they love, I’m winning.
10. If you could hang out with 3 people for a day, who would they be and why?
(The late) Freddie Mercury – because he was a great performer and a musical genius.
Client Eastwood – because he is simply a legend.
Michael Jordan – because no one person has every had such a positive impact on a sport.
11. If you could go anywhere in the world and do anything, what would it be and why?
Discover Peru and Chile, very slowly, with people who are a great source of knowledge about the local lifestyle.
Not only visit the main cities but drive through the country side exploring local villages, customs and food!
A South American adventure off the beaten track would be awesome.
You can catch up with Jervis via eXpertLocal!
Want a wine matching with a twist? Meet Jake!
What’s your name (can include nicknames)
Jake.
What sorts of tours and experiences do you run?
Wine tours, with a twist. Check out Junk Food and Wine matching or iWine (matching music with wine).
What lead you to run these experiences?
I have been to so many boring, earnest wine tastings over the years that take themselves too seriously and in the process exclude everyone from the enjoyment of wine.
I wanted to create wine tastings that were about the enjoyment of wine and make them accessible to all wine drinkers.
What’s your idea of a fun night out?
Braiding my friends hair in my pyjamas, talking about cute boys and watching the notebook…
No wait, having a few beers watching the footy (AFL Dockers & The Giants) then heading out to a great restaurant drinking some great wines.
What’s the coolest travel experience you’ve ever had?
Travelling through Burgundy, The Rhone Valley and Chianti was a great experience.
Why do you want to meet people through experiences and activities?
I love meeting new people and get inspired by other peoples experiences and knowledge. Meeting people through activities and experiences helps break down any hesitancies and get to know people on a different level.
Describe your ideal tour participant
Those that really get into what we are trying to do and embrace the experience whole heartedly. You can make our events as enjoyable as you want them to be.
When someone sings in front of the group in our Music & Wine tasting I know have a group of ideal participants.
What do you love about Sydney?
Its a cliche to say the beaches, but living two minutes from the beach in Tamarama is pretty special.
If you could hang out with 3 people for a day, who would they be and why?
Derren Brown – I want to learn all his tricks and techniques.
Christopher Hitchens – Even though he’s passed away now, I could listen to him talk for hours (when he was alive that is).
Tony Clifton – Although a created character and his creator has also passed away, but he would be excruciating hilariously to hang out with.
What’s currently on your playlist?
Billy Bragg and Wilco Mermaid Avenue III
If you could go anywhere in the world and do anything, what would it be and why?
Travel to all the wine regions of the world I am yet to visit: Agrentina, Germany and any others I can fit in.
Why? ‘Cos I love wine!!
Anything else we should know about you?
I have spent the last 15 years as a professional actor alongside my wine career. Most notably probably playing Matt Jennings in Packed to the Rafters.
You can find out more about Jake and join his wine tours on his eXpertLocal profile.
The adventures of iWine: matching wine with your music
An intrepid group of wine loving, music hounds grouped at the Old Growler in Woolloomooloo for the eXpertLocal tour iWine: wine matching with music.
From Aerosmith to Prince and everything in between, our host Jake made the most fun with a group of thirsty, adventurous Sydney siders. You may also know Jake from his wine matching with junk food. Jake is a passionate wine maker with loads of experience and a true showman’s flair. He is one of the brains behind a Bronte favourite, Garrick’s Wine.
In this tour, Jake and his offsider Tom ran a great evening for The Media Madams Scarlett Vespa & Debbie Carr from Eagle Waves Radio, Katie from Wanderlust at Bondi Beach Radio, smooth musician Arrnott Olssen and the gang from Sydney Chic. And of course our own Jervis and Sharon!
Check out the evidence of fun and frivolity.
A great night was had by all.
Check out what Arrnott Olssen had to say:
And we totally agree with Katie’s advice:
Want to join the fun? Book your iWine experience today!
Meet eXpertLocal host Bek: Music, food, beer and labradors
1. What’s your name (can include nicknames)
My name is Bek. My nickname is Nipper because I’m short and have the personality of an adele penguin. Adele penguins are the little ones that keep the bigger penguins in line and keep the rookery safe.
2. What sorts of tours and experiences do you run?
I run quite a lot of tours in Bronte and surrounds. I am also passionate about the Sydney live music scene and creativity in general so am always up for something to do with that. Plus I love wine and beer, so I like sharing that with people who may not know where to go to find a good drop.
3. What lead you to run these experiences?
Running tours in Bronte was my way of getting used to a new area after 15 years in the Inner West and Redfern. I also believe in supporting local business and the creative scene, so thought sharing these experience with others might help get create an audience for what they do and provide.
4. What’s your idea of a fun night out?
I’m a sucker for a small bar or pub that isn’t too pretty, has character, and where I can hear my friends talk. I also brain crush on things that are special, so you’ll probably find me out at roof top markets, food truck Fridays, and chasing down a great craft beer with a decent feed.
5. What’s the coolest travel experience you’ve ever had?
The most notable experience was travelling to the Red Centre and finding a town with barely 20 people living in it that had two pubs. I asked the guys in one pub why they needed two and he said “Coz girly, not everyone in town can drink in the same place”. Before he went on to offer me 2liters of beer he referred to as a “stubbie” and bag out half the townspeople.
Relaxation wise, I had a very wonderful experience in Woolgoolga staying in a Glasshouse set in rainforest with its own spa and all the mod cons. It was probably the most relaxing ten days of my life. The town was also beautiful and full of friendly locals, organic food and superb cafes.
6. Why do you want to meet people through experiences and activities?
I think we usually make new friends through like minded activities, so if I can meet some cool people who share my love of music, beer, wine and discovery, that’d be awesome!
I also find myself being the one who comes up with a lot of “this is where we should go” answers when friends come to stay, so it seemed like the logical next step!
And I want to demonstrate to people you don’t need to have bucket loads of cash to enjoy Sydney. You simply need to know where to look.
7. Describe your ideal tour participant
Friendly, fun, cheery and not afraid to have fun.
8. What do you love about Sydney?
I love that I can go and walk down at the Rocks and see such iconic beauty, and then travel to Redfern or Strathfield and see an entirely different style of life and wonder. And I love that people are still willing to meet new people, create wonderful things and that even if you have $5 in your pocket, if you know where to look, you can still find fun.
9. If you could hang out with 3 people for a day, who would they be and why?
You said people, so that cuts out my loopy Labrador, Gibson. I’d probably want to meet up with some local innovators like Jared Ingersoll (chef and foodie entrepreneur), someone from Icon Park and Richard Branson to see how we can use the growth in food & wine, pop up scene and a little crazy entrepreneurial spirit to help the rock and heavy side of the Sydney music scene.
10. What’s currently on your playlist?
Local blues rock band Tom Stone and the Soldiers of Fortune. Plus still very happy with playing NIN and QOTSA on repeat after their recent visit to Sydney- it was awesome!
11. If you could go anywhere in the world and do anything, what would it be and why?
It’d be a tossup between taking photos in the jungle of Indochina or a rum tour in Cuba. I love projects such as Humans of New York and Sydney’s 52 Suburbs and how that captures people in their day to day so that explains Indochina. And the rum and Cuba because I think there’s probably a little Hunter S. Thompson in all of us and that’s where mine would come to the fore.
12. Anything else we should know about you?
I am absolutely besotted with my Labrador, so if anyone wants to put up any dog friendly activities, I will totally be there!
You can meet Bek via her eXpertLocal profile and doing one of her many activities.
Say no to a boring St Valentine’s Day with eXpertLocal
Oh Sydney, it’s that time of year again when Cupid puts on a funny little outfit and does something super special. And by super special, we mean definitely not the same old, same old. So say no to boring bits and say yes to seriously good loving with the eXpertLocal selection of things to do this St Valentine’s Day.
Run around in your undies
What could be more romantic than running with thousands of other Sydneysiders who are wearing nothing but their undies, a charitable heart and a very cheeky smile? Now you can with the Cupid Undie Run! Giving you the opportunity to get some exercise, support a children’s tumour prevention charity and not have to go through the pain of deciding what to wear on St Valentine’s Day is what this event is all about! So show some love for fitness, health and err…letting a few things hang out at the Cupid Undie Run on Feb 9th. Register your participation here.
Stretching the limits of love
What do dressing in bright yet comfy clothes, visual displays, neon lighting and yoga got in common? Why St Valentine’s Day at Sukha Mukha Yoga of course! A home for all kinds of yoga classes and monthly community documentaries, Sukha Mukha yoga is holding “Glow with the Flow” on February 14th, where you and your partner can dress in vibrant colours and be immersed in music, lighting, gentle stretching, deep relaxation and a whole lot of fun. Singles are also welcome (great place to meet someone open minded perhaps?). What a great way to get limber for love! Book your spot now.
Four pawed friendship assured
Who says romance has to be all about the people? Here’s an event where it’s well and truly gone to the dogs! The gang from pet friendly App Doggible are holding a doggy love in party for pooches at 10am to 1pm on Sunday 16th February. Meet at Federation Valley Centennial Park (near Loch Avenue and Grand Drive) and you and your four paws can mingle with dogs and people. Games, tricks, prizes and a chance to meet the tallest dog in the world abound. This is a great event for families, couples who want to include their fur babies in St Valentine’s Day celebrations, or singles who would like to meet like minded people while spending time doing something you love. Find out more on the Doggible Facebook page.
Did someone say singing pub minstrels?
Popping to the pub for a decent 3 course meal is a Sydney favourite, but the gang at the Unicorn Hotel in Paddington have included a delightfully devilish twist. You and your beau will be serenaded by roving minstrels at the Unicorn throughout the evening. With a glass of bubbles in hand and a rendition of your favourite cheesy love song, The Unicorn is bound to be a place for awkward blushing and romance giggles this February 14th! More details available here.
I’d like a light red with a dash of Prince, thanks
Have you ever tasted a wine and thought “Hmmm, tastes a little like Madonna with a touch of P!nk?” – Well, now you can with the iWine matching music with wine experience. Jake is a masterful wine maker who loves a good wine tasting – with the tunes pumping of course! Find out if you prefer your Alicante with Aerosmith or your Barolo with Beethoven at this very interesting event held Monday 17th February. Wow your date with your innovative take on the winsome wine and wonder of St Valentine’s Day! Book now.
Honey, how about a pub crawl?
Newtown has a lot of romance. From the street art to the gentle hum of traffic on King st, Newtown is the place to go if you want to meet people of all kinds. That’s why eXpertLocal are running a special edition of the Newtown “Search for the perfect beer” crawl! This February 14th, you and your date (or singles you can be matched with), will be taken on a romantic discovery of Newtown and the beery haunts. Search for love, or search for the meaning of perfect love, as you undertake a Newtown pub crawl that’s all heart. Book now to avoid disappointment!
Mixing business with pleasure and social responsibility
For the thinking man’s bit of crumpet, we have our very own marketing manager Rebekah speaking at WeCo on February 20th on “why social responsibility needs to be a part of business”. Joining her are Brook McCarthy from Yoga Reach, Joel Hauer from WeCo and a bunch of passionate social responsibility and business minded people. So if you want to romance your mind a little, this is the event for you. It’s free and refreshments are supplied. Talk about romance for your career! RSVP here.
See? Not a single long stemmed rose or Hallmark card in sight! So what are you waiting for? Choose your version of a love in this St Valentine ’s Day, Sydney!
Your guide to getting started on eXpertLocal
Looking for a summary of how to get started on eXpertLocal? Check out our guide.
Think about what you love
Yes, it really is that simple. What kinds of things do you love sharing with your friends? What’s something you know a lot about? What’s a topic that really excites you? What are the things you really love doing? Sharing those moments, ideas and adventures with other people are what eXpertLocal is all about.
Write it down
From your favourite kind of Saturday picnic through to knowing all the cool little places to go in a particular suburb, your experience really needs to have a little form to it so other people can understand. So break down your idea and think about:
- Why do you love doing this particular activity?
- Who are the kinds of people you’d love to share it with?
- What tools do you need to make your experience happen?
- Where would you stage your experience?
- Why would people really enjoy your experience?
- When would you be able to conduct your experience?
Enjoy the freedom
One of the best things about eXpertLocal is there isn’t a boss telling you how to run your experience. What you want to do is what you write down. We can certainly help you write your tour, but everything from the length of the tour to the subject matter, through to how many people can go and what it entails is entirely up to you. AND you can try out your experience, and change it when you want to. This is your opportunity to design your ideal job with support!
Check out the info that matches your situation
We know it can be a little daunting when you first consider running your own tour. That’s why we’ve written inspirational blogs that give you ideas on the types of tours you may want to host on eXpertLocal. And you can take advantage of our profile tips and advice on writing a cool experience.
You can find tips on writing a really cool experience as an individual or get the lowdown on running tours for your business. You can promote your community ideas and free experiences, too.
Follow the prompts (and ask for help)
A great way to check out what kinds of experiences may work on eXpertLocal is to check out the other tours. You can also register for our Meetups and come and meet other hosts, ask questions and get to know the team behind eXpertLocal. And if you need an extra hand getting your tour into shape, you can email us directly via rebekah@expertlocal.com to workshop your idea or even have your idea written up!
eXpertLocal is as simple (or as complicated) as you want it to be. So why not take that long held dream of the kind of experience you’d love to share from idea stage to the next level?
If you have any questions, feel free to leave them below.
What’s on in Sydney in December with eXpertLocal
2013 certainly has flown by, hasn’t it? You can really feel the sea calling out to say hi, the beaches singing their siren song, and of course the sounding of wine and food flowing as we hit the festive season.
Here are our picks for December. Let’s get social!
Music for your ears
Kylie Minogue’s “Confide in Me” gains a beautiful new outlook in the hands of Jep and Dep. You can take in this lovely experience and purchase the single for yourself at the Jep and Dep single launch Brighton Up Bar, December 5th.
After 8 years of playing the traps, Found at Sea say goodbye to their drummer, Tim. Check out this last look at the original Found at Sea line up with special guests The Model School and Suzy Connelly at FBi Social, December 7th.
When the likes of the Thieves, the Mountains and the Civilians are on the same bill for only $10, you know you don’t need to ask twice whether you’ve got a good excuse to party on a Thursday. Catch them at the Brighton Up Bar, December 12th.
Friday the 13th of December sees the amazing Hollow Bones strip paint off the walls with their jangled rock that is bound to impress. Take your dancing shoes and make sure you hair is set for gale force blowing away-ness. Head to Spectrum, thank us later.
Prog rock never sounded so good with a bill including Solkyri as headline, pirate, Koranic and Melbourne’s Kalacoma all set to rock the walls right off FBi Social. If you like your music brave, experimental, loud and technically awesome, you have to be there Saturday 14th.
Head to Chinese Laundry for the diggin’est deck the halls from DJ decks around on December 21st. The Christmas Garden Party kicks off at midday and includes all kinds of musical happiness. Get your beat on at Christmas while also raising money for the Bushfire Appeal. Nice one.
Make your brain sparkle
How does sampling lots of different food trucks, a pop up bar and live entertainment sound? Like a fun Friday? It’s happening people- check out Food Trucks United on Friday December 6th.
Check out what you can do at the Arthouse Hotel when you join Doctor Sketchy’s art class. You can choose from BYO art supplies right through to a cool arty setup and dinner.
End the year on equality in IT note when you get your Geek Girl on with the Geek Girl Panel at Atlassian on December 10th.
You can ponder if letter writing and memes really do make a difference at the Amnesty International Panel Debate on ‘A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words’ on December 10th.
Want to make more out of your Christmas without the guilt associate with food waste? Check out this nifty workshop Pocket, Plate and Planet run by Parramatta City Council on December 13th.
Need a little deep thinking over dinner and some business to boot? Hub Sydney’s Deep Dinner sounds like it’s perfect for you. See you there every third Tuesday of the month.
Embrace your inner Spock and check out the latest in short film sci-fi goodness at the WD Project Sci-Fi Awards on December 19th.
Shopping for the good gifts
Soak in the indie art and design that is the Finders Keepers Market at Eveleigh on the eve of Friday 6th and all day Saturday 7th of December.
Take a joyride to the beautiful Avoca Beach and enjoy the Avoca Christmas Fair on December 8th.
Summer is here and now it’s time for the Hornsby Twilight Markets, a perfect place to find a gift for someone special!
Visit the foodie heaven that is a Simon Johnson Pop Up Shop all the way through til December 27th.
Mosey on over to the Entertainment Quarter for their EQ markets every Saturday.
Christmas Day, your way
Looking to party?
Why not join the Collaborative Christmas party?
Get your word nerd on with the Copywriter’s Yuletide Fest.
Celebrate co-working and end of year hubberation at Hub Sydney.
Let your Entrepreneurship shine at The Entrepreneur’s and Self Employed Christmas Party
If you are having a solo Christmas, there are several wonderful places you can go and make new friends.
They include:
Bondi’s Chapel by the Sea as a guest or volunteerThe Christmas Day Picnic for orphans, singles, workers and more.
The Wayside Chapel’s Christmas Day Street Party.
Plus you can also Cole, take a glorious walk around the Rocks Pubs, experience Chinatown at Night, discover beautiful Bronte, or play guitars by the sea.
For all these and more fun activities, head to www.expertlocal.com
eXpertLocal wants to help entrepreneurs, adventurers and self starters
As members of the Sydney startup scene, the team at eXpertLocal know firsthand how hard it can be when you first start out.
And we also know from the events we attend, the time we spend on the internet and the sheer amount of new and interesting things popping up in this beautiful city of ours, that there is a lot of super brilliant ideas that simply aren’t gaining the coverage they should.
So we want to change that.Not just a platform to book things on
As a platform designed for events and activities, eXpertLocal gives any of you a unique way of testing out your idea before making huge financial investments in your own website, storefront or venue outlay. You can test your idea with an audience and see if it can gain traction.
As we’ve mentioned previously, we think this is a problem worth solving.
We’re trying to change big gaps in window fronts in Oxford street as much as we are attempting to excite Sydney siders about what is new. We want to aid in the discovery of Artisan craftspeople and small business owners trying to differentiate what they offer with unique ideas. We want to support people doing their own events through to market holders wondering if they should take the leap to retail, to change makers and creatively minded people looking for new ways to reach their audience.
At eXpertLocal, we’ve seen quite a few people trying to do their own thing. And we’re also living this as well as a startup. And so, we’ve decided if we’re going to be able to help you, and ourselves, we need to do things a little differently.More support for you, your dream and the Sydney scene
We’ve always offered ourselves as a booking platform calling ourselves an experience marketplace, but we have come to realise this is not enough. As a team, we’ve pulled together and racked our brain (and scribbled on an awful lot of butcher’s paper in the process!) to identify what the best value and best possible support eXpertLocal can offer.
So we’re taking the bull by the horns, and becoming an experience marketplace in as many senses as our small team can offer. This includes:
- Personally workshopping and writing your experiences for you
- Providing marketing support and content advice to help you promote your experience (and your idea)
- Including PR in the mix- and promoting you along with us
- Holding events on a monthly basis so you can not only find out what it’s like to be a host, but also meet other hosts (current and potential) in the process
- Bringing together all the kinds of wonderful and interesting events we find so more people can discover them
One hell of an awesome freebie
If you look at it this way, our team will be personally helping you to discover if your idea works, helping you market and promote it, providing you coverage in specialist and mainstream media- and removing headaches like building your own site or only pushing it through channels you know. All of which is covered in the 15% we charge on successfully booked tickets. Meaning if things don’t work out, you’ve received a lot of support, assistance, coverage and the ability to test your idea without spending any money.
And if it does work, it’s a fee well worth it (and still a lot cheaper than what you would pay independently).
We understand the pain of starting a dream, working on a new idea and trying to reach an entire audience. Don’t go through the motions yourself, learn with us and get a leg up towards a successful journey to the finish line.
We’ve now got a dedicated PR person working with a dedicated marketing and customer relations person looking to give you a super leg up- so drop us a line via support@expertlocal.com
Join our MeetUp group and join us to find out how to become a host.
Or book an experience workshop direct with Rebekah rebekah@expertlocal.com
What have you got to lose? Get serious about seeing if your idea works and get on www.expertlocal.com today!
