Whitney Shindelar, owner of Undiscovered Sunsets, wears many professional hats: In addition to being a travel advisor, she’s the founder of the Masters in Travel online community of advisors; the host of the Masters in Travel podcast; and the creator of The Hive, a new technology platform that revolutionizes the way knowledge and insights are shared between travel agents.

Prior to becoming an advisor, Shindelar spent much of her 20s living in Shanghai, China, where she taught English before transitioning to work at Le Meridien Shanghai (first in a role within the food and beverage department, and then in Operations Excellence).

In this episode of Humans of Travel, Shindelar describes the lessons she learned while living and working abroad, and what it was like to handle operational challenges in a large luxury hotel. She reflects on making a career switch to travel advising after an especially impactful trip to Germany, and what her early pain points were when she was just starting off as a travel advisor.

Listeners will also hear about Shindelar’s latest venture, The Hive, and learn why she decided to create the Masters in Travel podcast and online community during the pandemic.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Whitney Shindelar on Trade Secrets: How Do I Find My Travel Industry Mentor?

Undiscovered Sunsets

Masters in Travel Podcast

Masters in Travel Online Community

@MastersinTravel on Instagram

@thehive.travel on Instagram

ABOUT YOUR HOST 

Emma Weissmann is the Managing Editor of TravelAge West, a print magazine and website for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the co-host of Trade Secrets, a podcast created with sister publication Travel Weekly. 

TravelAge West also produces national trade publications Explorer and Family Getaways, as well as events including the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, Global Travel Marketplace West, the WAVE Awards gala and the Napa Valley Leadership Forum. 

ABOUT THE SHOW 

TravelAge West’s podcast, “Humans of Travel,” features conversations with exceptional people who have compelling stories to tell. Listeners will hear from the travel industry’s notable authorities, high-profile executives, travel advisors and rising stars as they share the highs and lows that make them human.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.