Today we’d like to introduce you to Isabelle Galante-Neely
Hi Isabelle, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born and raised in Belgium, my dad an Italian immigrant and my mom from Flanders. I grew up speaking Italian and Dutch, a love for food and culture instilled from a young age. Spending every summer in Italy was the norm, visiting “la famiglia”, playing with the cousins, overall enjoying “la dolce vita”. I always said “when I grow up I want to live abroad”. Careful what you wish for… I met my husband while he was stationed in Europe in the mid 90s and in the span of 25 years we’ve lived in 3 contents and 5 countries.
While living in the Middle East, I decided to put my degree in languages to good use and started working as a freelance translator. This was more than 17 years ago… I became a digital nomad before the term was coined. It was the best solution for me at the time: being able to move where my husband’s employer sent him and stay home with the kids. It wasn’t always easy, but somehow I made it work. There were long days and even longer nights, but as a multitasker I juggled it all without a problem.
We moved to Utah in 2015 and have been here ever since. It’s the longest we’ve lived in one place as a family. Once again it was my husband’s job that brought us here. We are outdoorsy people, so Utah was a logical decision.
Until about 3 years ago, I continued to put all my efforts in my translation business. Unfortunately AI threw a bit of a wrench into things. I started to look at other options, even working as an ESL instructor for a while. Until one day a (Belgian) friend mentioned the Via Americana group of tour guides [Via Americana is an alliance of Belgian tour guides leading tours out of different cities in the United States]. I looked into it and thought I could be a great asset for this group, as the Via Americana tour guides are mainly based in large cities on the East and West Coasts (and Chicago). And so I pivoted and became a tour guide.
I never saw myself as being a tour guide to be honest, but I have to say I quite like it. I still work as a translator, but only for a few loyal clients. I want to put more focus on the tour guiding business and see where it will take me.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone say “easy peasy” when it comes to trying to build a business or even just living life. Of course there were and there still are struggles, but the point is to learn from those struggles.
I’m a bit of a perfectionist, sometimes that’s a struggle, because often it holds me back from taking certain actions.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I started offering guided walking tours through the Via Americana group of tour guides. I looked into what this group does and stands for, and thought this could be a great opportunity, as the Via Americana tour guides are mainly based in large cities on the East and West Coasts (and Chicago). And so Utah Calling was created.
Millions of tourists visit Utah on a yearly basis, with Salt Lake City as a starting point for road trips through the Western US, to visit the Mighty Five, or to ski at one of our wonderful resorts. Through Via Americana I was put in touch with tour operators in Europe. Most of my guests are couples and families who have planned their trip to the Western US many months in advance. Some save for years to make a trip of a lifetime. I’m honored that they choose my services as a tour guide and explore downtown Salt Lake City with me, learn about the history and people that made Salt Lake City into what it is today. I’m combining my own love for culture, history, travel and languages and I get to show off Salt Lake City to people from around the country and the world.
My walking tours around downtown Salt Lake City and Ogden are done in English, Dutch, or French. I mainly offer my guided tours through tour operators from Europe, the US and Canada, and have had guests from as far away as Australia. But what I especially like about tour guiding is when guest tell me, at the end of a tour, that they’ve learned something new and look at Utah and Salt Lake City from a different point of view.
I really want to see where my career as a tour guide will take me, especially since Utah, and Salt Lake City are looking at some major events in the (near) future: an NHL hockey team, the Salt Lake temple reopening in 2026, the Winter Olympics returning… All these events will bring an influx of visitors and I’ll be here to show them around.
What matters most to you? Why?
Happiness. There’s such joy in seeing the people around you happy, especially my kids. They are and will always be my number one priority. Happiness truly is the most important. And good health of course.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.utahcalling.com
- Instagram: @utahcalling
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/utahcalling/
