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.

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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? 

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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How did you learn to speak four languages? Did you enroll in an immersion program or are you self-taught?
I grew up speaking Spanish so I’ve spent my entire life practicing the language. I also lived in Barcelona after college in order to continue expanding my abilities in Spanish.

While living in Barcelona, I began to learn French in the hopes of understanding Catalan better. Then I continued my French studies at NYU in postgraduate courses. During my undergraduate at NYU, I studied Mandarin and studied abroad at Nanjing University. I also moved to Beijing after living in Barcelona to continue practicing Mandarin. I’ve spent my whole life studying language and I’m looking forward to learning my fifth language!

How has your prior experience producing Fashion Week runway events prepared you for your current role as a VIP concierge at Gibbons Life?
Fashion week is a hectic time of year! You need to be able to manage constant moving parts in order to succeed in production. My career in fashion has prepared me for anything anyone can throw my way!

What advice  would you give someone who wants to transition from one career to another?
My advice is to go for it. Nothing ever stands in your way except for you. If you want to switch

careers, start taking some courses to help you understand your new field better. Start presenting yourself as someone who works in that field because the way we speak is powerful and can shift your mindset. And of course, start taking opportunities to work in that field, big or small, you’ve got to start somewhere!

Please share your favorite travel destinations and activities.
There are so many gorgeous places in the world that it’s almost impossible to choose my favorite! However, a few of my favorite destinations are Thailand, Barcelona, and Holland. While in Thailand (and anywhere really), my favorite activity is diving. I’m a licensed diver so any chance I get to dive, I take it! Another fun activity while traveling is renting a bike and seeing the city for yourself like a local. And of course, shopping! I never leave a city without local clothing and artwork.

Are you ready for a sneak peek? If so, watch the preview on Bravo TV.