We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Shania Roper a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Shania, thanks for joining us today. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

Embarking on Shade & Travel, a full service travel consultancy, during the COVID-19 pandemic was a monumental gamble I dared to take. As the pandemic drew to a close, there was a palpable eagerness among people to venture out again, albeit with uncertainty regarding the logistics – where, when, and how to travel safely. Sensing a gap in the travel industry, I seized the opportunity to design custom curated itineraries tailored to individual preferences, while meticulously addressing every pre-trip concern, including COVID-related requirements and documentation.

Despite the daunting prospect of launching a business during an economic downturn, our risk paid off. It afforded us invaluable insights into our target demographic and laid the groundwork for nurturing a dedicated clientele.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I began my career in entertainment, specifically in the fashion and lifestyle market. Having a passion for television, I found my way working in publicity for ABC Studios in 2017. From there, I moved into marketing and public relations for multiple media companies throughout Las Vegas, New Jersey & New York.

In 2021, I launched Shade & Travel, with the goal to make travel accessible and stress-free for all clients. This includes those who are experienced travelers and those who are stepping out of their comfort zone for the first time. We help clients plan and book the perfect trip, no matter what type of experience they seek – a relaxing beach vacation, an adrenaline-filled adventure, or a cultural immersion experience.

Our team of experienced travel consultants are here to help you every step of the way, from selecting the perfect destination to booking flights and accommodations. We offer two main services to help our clients plan and book their trips:

1. We host affordable, luxurious, and exciting group trips. Our group trip hosts join along to ensure that everyone is safe and has a good time. A professional photographer comes along to provide high-quality pictures for your social media needs so you can focus on experiencing the vacation. These trips can be paid for in installments, making it easy to plan and book your dream trip. Our group trip packages include flights from the NY metro area in the cost of the trip (a unique feature that no other company offers).

2. We also offer consultative services to help our clients plan and book their own customized trips. Our consultants will connect with you to get to know your travel preferences and needs and will use this information to create a fully-built-out, customized itinerary that is tailored specifically to you. Our consultants are here to help you along every step of the travel planning and booking process, making it easy and stress-free to plan the perfect trip.

At Shade & Travel, we are passionate about helping our clients experience the world and create unforgettable memories.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

One of the most successful methods for expanding our customer base at Shade & Travel has been leveraging word-of-mouth marketing and spotlighting our exceptional group trips across social media platforms. This has been made possible by collaborating with skilled travel photographers, videographers, and content creators who possess a keen understanding of our desired audience.

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

Our main channels for client communication include social media platforms and email marketing. Additionally, we organize an annual giveaway where clients have the opportunity to win exciting travel gear and discounts on our hosted group trips.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.shadeandtravel.com
• Instagram: @shadeandtravel
• Linkedin: Shade & Travel
• Yelp: Shade & Travel

Image Credits
Aj Tolentino Cierra Magana Oscar Espinoza