Today we’d like to introduce you to Tia Clark.
Hi Tia, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am a Charleston, South Carolina native and food and beverage veteran who started Casual
Crabbing with Tia in 2017 when health problems led me to make an overhaul of my diet and lifestyle.
Casual Crabbing with Tia is offered as an Airbnb Experience called “Let’s Go Crabbing,” which was recognized as one of Airbnb’s best in the world. I worked in the food and beverage industry for 20 years. I wanted to change my unhealthy lifestyle by quitting smoking cigarettes but when I quit smoking my health actually declined. After about 6 weeks of multiple trips to the ER, working with an allergist and finally a nurse practiotioner, I was put on a very strict elimination diet. I started feeling better than I have ever felt in my life in just a few days. When I went back for a checkup 3 months later, I was down over 30 pounds and she was stunned at how well I was doing. She suggested I start getting 30 minutes of physical activity and that is where crabbing came in. I went crabbing with one of my cousins and had a magical day on the water catching my dinner.
He taught me how to crab, how to pick up a crab without getting pinched, how to throw a cast net and how to fish. We caught crabs in the baskets, shrimp in the cast net and fish by rod and reel. This experience changed me at my core. Now I have a love for the water and deep respect for all the marine life that resides in it. I went crabbing every day after this and I would post photos about it on social media. A buddy started a Facebook page for me with the name “Casual Crabbing with Tia”. I started to receive requests from folks to come join me. This scared me because I didn’t want to risk sharing the space and it being ruined for me. I started to let a few people come along and that helped to build my confidence. Not long after, a friend told me Airbnb was launching “Airbnb Experiences” in Charleston. I completed the application and within two weeks I was accepted as a host. I hosted my first experience in July 2018 and by November I was being flown to their headquarters in San Francisco as one of the top 4 hosts in the world. It took me over half a year to believe I could really do this full time. I quit the food and beverage industry and now I am chasing my dream of exposing as many people as I can to the water. I work closely with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources to build artificial oyster reefs and deploy them along our shorelines. The reefs help to filter our water, to build habits for marine life and to protect the marsh grass from erosion in our estuary.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
This journey has not been a smooth ride but with that being said it’s been the BEST ride. A lot of this journey has been about me learning things for the first time. I transitioned from being a bar almost every night and making cocktails and pouring shots to being on the water every day tying fishing rigs and crabbing. I constantly felt like every decision I was making was the wrong decision for the business. I have proof that was not the case but the feeling and weight of it all could feel very heavy at times. I work on trying to find balance in my busy life and focusing on the things that I have control over instead of just worrying about things I can’t control. My main challenge is growing the business with other hosts at multiple locations. It’s great that everyone wants to crab with me but I can’t be in more than one place at a time. I have built a fantastic team who love the outdoors and the water just as much as I do. I have heard that this challenge is in every industry when growing.
As you know, we’re big fans of Casual Crabbing with Tia. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Casual Crabbing with Tia is a land based recreational crabbing experience. My team and I will lead you on an action packed hunt for blue crabs, shrimp, and fish. Although we can’t guarantee a catch the experience is guaranteed to be a blast. All guests age 16 and up will need to purchase a recreational saltwater license to participate. We will not be getting in the water but may get a little wet or muddy when throwing the cast net. I recommend wearing things you don’t mind getting a little wet and closed toe shoes to avoid your toes being pinched. The passion that my crew and I have for what we do is what separates us from others. You can learn how to feed yourself and/or your family for life. You will make lifelong memories and you will be giving back with your license purchase. I want people to know that we truly love what we do and our goal is to organically build stewards for our environment while sharing our love for this natural resource.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://casualcrabbingwithtia.com
- Instagram: Casual Crabbing with Tia
- Facebook: Casual Crabbing with Tia
- Youtube: Casual Crabbing with Tia
- Other: https://linktr.ee/casualcrabbing
