October 30, 2015
Hit the Slopes with Bravo TV’s New Luxury Travel Series “Après Ski†and Meet Cast Member Kendra Larkin
Hot springs. Helicopter skiing. Dining in a gondola soaring 12,000 ft. above sea level. Enjoying a hot springs spa treatment. “No request is too outrageous” for Après Ski, Bravo TV’s latest luxury travel docu-series. Set in a posh town resort with breathtaking mountain views, the series premieres Nov. 2 at 10 pm ET/PT and follows a dream team hired to plan unforgettable winter ski experiences for the rich and famous.
[Related: Celebrity Chef Marcus Samuelsson Shares Recipes for Financial and Entrepreneurial Success]
Après Ski features seven cast members including two successful African American women, Kendra Larkin, a multilingual world traveler and Elise Wims, a chef, and entrepreneur. The two trailblazing women move to Whistler, British Columbia, Canada, to help launch the travel concierge startup business, Gibbons Life, founded by Canadian hospitality mogul Joey Gibbons. BlackEnterprise.com caught up with Kendra Larkin, a former marketing and fashion professional, to learn what it takes to work as a VIP concierge for the No. 1 ski resort in North America.
BlackEnterprise.com: How did you hear about the Après Ski casting opportunity?
Larkin: A friend told me about a job opportunity in Whistler.
Typically a person doesn’t grow up thinking they want to be a concierge, so tell us about the moment when you realized you wanted to transition into a new career? What attracted you to this role and opportunity?
I’ve worked in event production and lived all over the world so working at Gibbons felt like another amazing adventure. After two years in L.A., I was missing the snow and winter, so when I heard about this opportunity it seemed like a great opportunity to try something new abroad.
What should viewers expect from the upcoming show?
The full definition of “work hard, play hard.” You can expect to see us creating luxury experiences in Whistler while also learning how to live together and be friends. It’s a small town that’s filled with a lot of fun and craziness!
What is the most difficult challenge you’ve faced since being on the show?Â
The most difficult challenge is keeping the VIP guests happy at all times. Sometimes we receive impossible requests and it’s important to manage expectations and keep a smile on the guests’ faces at the same time. In order to overcome these challenges, I always remain calm and try everything in my power to meet the request.
What advantage do you think you have over the other cast members on the show?
I have worked with high profile clients in my past careers and am used to meeting difficult requests so I am fully prepared for anything. I also have an extensive background in language and travel so I am adaptable in any situation worldwide.
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