What does it take to turn a company upside down—and come out stronger—when the world changes overnight? That’s exactly what Avital Ungar, founder of Avital Tours, did in March 2020. As cities shut down and corporate events came to a halt, her thriving restaurant tour business in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York saw revenues drop to zero. Instead of closing up shop, Avital reinvented her company in just five days, creating virtual culinary and mixology experiences that now connect teams across the globe.
On this episode of the Stride 2 Freedom Podcast, we dove into Avital’s story of resilience, innovation, and the power of staying true to your mission—even when everything else changes.
From Utter Devastation to New Opportunity
When COVID hit, Avital Tours’ core clients—tech companies and corporate teams—began canceling or postponing events. “Our revenue dropped to zero” Avital recalls. Like many entrepreneurs, she was left wondering how to keep her business alive. But instead of dwelling on loss, she quickly reframed the challenge: what do our clients need now?
The answer was connection. Teams were suddenly remote, isolated from coworkers and clients, and struggling to build relationships virtually. Within five days, Avital and her team launched new offerings, experimenting rapidly and listening to feedback. Out of this came their most popular product to date: virtual mixology classes, where groups learn to craft cocktails together in an engaging, social setting.
Guided by Mission and Core Values
Avital credits her company’s mission—to deepen human connection through storytelling and food—as the compass that made reinvention possible. “that mission statement was incredibly relevant to us…” she explains. Food and drink have always been universal connectors, and now they could serve as the bridge across digital divides.
Equally important are Avital Tours’ core values, like “embrace quirky.” By celebrating uniqueness and leaning into creativity, the company was able to build experiences that felt authentic and fun—exactly what teams needed in a time of uncertainty.
Learning Through Imperfection
Not every idea worked perfectly at first. In fact, the earliest “Chefinar” cooking boxes were sourced through Instacart, leading to late deliveries, missing ingredients, and even a few boxes that arrived less-than-pretty. Instead of giving up, Avital leaned into experimentation. Each misstep was an opportunity to improve, from building their own supply chain to redesigning packaging into a beautiful, brand-aligned experience.
It’s acceptable to make mistakes. It’s unacceptable not to learn from them. This mindset allowed her team to continuously improve while strengthening relationships with chefs, bartenders, and restaurants around the country.
Supporting the Restaurant Industry
Beyond serving corporate teams, Avital Tours also became a lifeline for hospitality workers. By partnering with award-winning chefs and bartenders, many of whom had lost income from restaurant closures, the company provided both employment opportunities and a way to showcase their talents. In this way, Avital Tours wasn’t just reinventing itself—it was helping sustain an entire ecosystem of food and beverage professionals.
Why Teams Love Virtual Culinary Experiences
So what makes these experiences so impactful? Clients say it’s the blend of engagement, connection, and fun. Unlike a webinar, Avital Tours events are highly interactive: participants shake cocktails together, swap stories, and end the session enjoying what they’ve created. Office managers and team leaders often return for repeat bookings, realizing that do-it-yourself attempts at virtual events rarely match the energy and polish of a professionally hosted experience.
- Engagement: Hosts and MCs keep the energy high and conversation flowing.
- Connection: Teams bond over food and drink, even from a distance.
- Convenience: Ingredient boxes are shipped directly to participants’ doors.
- Memorable moments: Every session becomes a story to share long after it ends.
Advice for Entrepreneurs
Avital’s journey offers lessons for any business owner facing uncertainty. Her biggest piece of advice? Don’t be afraid to fail fast. “Now is the best time to experiment,” she says. “The world is more forgiving… You learn the most when you make those mistakes.”
She reminds fellow entrepreneurs that while standing at the edge of reinvention may feel scary, it’s also where the most exciting opportunities live. As she puts it: “Rip that band-aid off sooner rather than later.”
Looking Ahead
Avital Tours has grown larger than before the pandemic, expanding beyond its original markets to serve clients across the U.S. and even internationally. From mixology classes to cooking experiences, the company continues to deepen human connection in a time when people need it most.
Final Thoughts
Avital’s story is a powerful reminder that adversity can spark innovation. By staying rooted in her mission, embracing experimentation, and leaning into community, she turned crisis into opportunity—and built something stronger in the process.
If you’d like to learn more or book a virtual culinary experience for your team, visit Avital Tours. And don’t miss the full episode of the Stride 2 Freedom Podcast to hear the complete conversation.
In this Freedom Speaker Series episode with Avital Ungar, you will learn:
- The importance of human connection for the people in your business
- Why company culture and staying true to your core values is essential to survive and thrive as a business
- How being courageous with intention can lead to a breakthrough
- Why now is the perfect time to embrace experimentation instead of waiting
We are fortunate to have Avital available to spend time with us on this edition of Stride 2 Freedom. If there is a speaker you’d like us to interview, let us know. Stay well. Stay safe. Stay healthy.
Show Notes and Links From Episode:
Avital Ungar LinkedIn
Avital Tours
Assured Partners
Medium: How I Reinvented our Company in 5 Days
Episode Transcript:
Podcast Transcript: Avital Ungar Reinventing Your Business with Avital Tours
