Shanna Dickerson shares her entrepreneurial journey

Episode 2, Rise Diary

Welcome to the Second Episode of the Rise Diary Podcast. Rise Diary is run and managed by PR Novo. A company that helps entrepreneurs get featured in Tier 1 Magazines and increase authority in their niche. Our goal is to make entrepreneurship fun and easier for women entrepreneurs. We are here to inspire you to start a business, manage it and grow to the scale you desire!

About the Guest:

Shanna Dickerson, Blue Sky Luxury Travels

Originally from Charlotte, NC, having moved there in 1990, Shanna Dickerson subsequently graduated from UNC Wilmington in 2001 with a degree in communication. She then began her career in Nashville, TN as an assistant in concert promotion and production. Over the next nine years, her career expanded into planning, coordinating and promoting concerts throughout the U.S. with the good fortune of working with such artists as the Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac, Kenny Chesney, Jay Z, The Police, Pearl Jam, Jimmy Buffett, Snoop Dogg, Stevie Wonder, Kayne West, Foo Fighters, Metallica and Tim McGraw. The most exciting and fulfilling responsibility came in 2004 as tour manager for the legendary Steve Winwood for three US tours — a truly amazing experience.

With easy access through direct flights from Charlotte, NC to St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, her family often enjoyed vacationing on St. John while she was growing up. This made a lasting impression on Shanna, and as a result, in 2010 she sold all her furniture and her car, downsized into a couple of suitcases and used her remaining money to relocate to St. John. Through Nashville connections, she learned Kenny Chesney owned a villa there. Shanna then reached out to his associates and found a source that led to a property management position overseeing a multimillion-dollar beachfront villa. At a rental rate of $20,000 per week, the guests staying at the villa enjoyed all-encompassing concierge services that she provided. Living on the island gave her the chance to recommend restaurants and activities that she had personally experienced….. Blue Sky Luxury Travels was born!

From there the business grew and over the last couple of years, BSLT has expanded into the entire Caribbean, Bahamas, Fiji, and Hawaii (Kauai). Their network of luxury villas, private islands, and yacht charters range from $10,000 per week up to $1M+ per week.

In addition, BSLT’s owner, Shanna Dickerson, formed a second company called Blue Sky Global Logistics in January 2018. BSGL provides global housing assistance for FEMA workers and construction companies as they rebuild territories destroyed by disasters. Currently, they are at work in the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico due to two category 5 hurricanes, Irma and Maria, that hit in September 2017.

Shanna’s motto has been the importance of balance between work and play, thus it has been a priority to continue her long-term passion for tennis as well as enjoy boating, paddleboarding, hiking, meditation, and yoga.

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Episode Transcript: