We had the good fortune of connecting with Sheeka Sanahori and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sheeka, is there a quote or affirmation that’s meaningful to you?
Entrepreneurship is riddled with decisions and therefore, opportunities to second guess yourself. I recently came across this simple quote from the book When Things Fall Apart by Pema Chodron: the path is the way. What it means to me is the most important part is the journey, not the destination. So even if I make a decision today that I later realize did not give me the best outcome, I can still find satisfaction in the experience of getting to where I am today. What I’ve learned about myself and my industry, the people I met, and the current decisions I get to make are all a part of taking pride in the journey. Of course, I still have goals that I’m accomplishing, but keeping this simple quote in mind helps me stay balanced. I remember to appreciate the path just as much as the outcome.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’ve worked in media companies for 15+ years, first in local television, then in digital media for national and global brands. Now I’m launching my own brand, Inherited Travel.

Inherited Travel is launching this year as a way to help conscious travelers make a positive impact with their travel spending. It’s encouraging people to travel sustainably, for people. We help travelers support indigenous-owned travel businesses and we help them decolonize their travel experiences. People can sign up for our newsletter at inheritedtravel.com.

If there’s anything that I’ve learned, it’s that change in media is rapid and you must keep evolving to stay relevant. I trained to be a local tv reporter in college, but after 5 years working in that field, I felt a significant shift in the way people were consuming content, so I made a change from television to digital media. Now social media is changing content trends that would’ve taken years in a matter of months.

We’re in the middle of another significant shift from journalists aligning themselves with large, trusted brands to now creating beloved brands of their own. I’m creating Inherited Travel because it reflect my own interests and experiences. My hope is there are other travelers who feel the same way about wanting to help local communities when they travel too.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
There’s so much to see and do around Atlanta and I love playing host!

Buford highway for its eats, but especially Taco Valoz, an amazing drive-thru taco joint
My favorite pho spot, Pho 24 is also on Buford Highway for some delicious beef pho and bubble tea
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Lilburn, a beautiful Hindu place of worship that’s open for tours but not for photos
Krog Street Tunnel for its ever-evolving street art
Ponce City Market for shopping and rooftop views.
East Atlanta Village and Downtown Decatur for more shopping and great local eateries.
Sublime Donuts, a Black-owned donut shop with delicious and unique breakfast treats
Busy Bee Cafe, historic Black-owned soul food restaurant that is so good it always has a line out the door
MLK National Historic Park and John Lewis Mural downtown to learn more about Atlanta’s national heroes.
As for outdoor activities, I’d take them for a hike along the Chattahoochee River, noting that the Chattahoochee supplies the metro area with its water. There’s a cool hidden bamboo forest that tops off the hike.
If we have time for a quick roadtrip, and take them down to Macon, Ga to visit the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park. We’d stop at Ingleside Village Pizza for some delicious garlic breadsticks before making our way back to Atlanta.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are several people who have helped me along the way, but I have two mentors who come to mind. They have trusted me with their expertise, time and have opened many opportunities for me. Michael Castengera was my broadcast news professor at the University of Georgia. When I was in undergrad, my strategy was to lay low and avoid him as much as possible because he didn’t mince words and I was terrified of him! Once I graduated and started working in the media business, he showed up time and again with advice and kindness, and recommended me for an ongoing partnership that helped change the trajectory of my career. I met my second mentor, Noirin Hegarty, later in my media career. She was Vice President of Content and my supervisor at Lonely Planet. Neither one of us work for Lonely Planet anymore, be she has remained a valued confidant and supporter in my work. What I admire about Noirin is she’s a successful media leader who came up when media was dominantly a man’s world. She raised a family while also leading content departments. Her advice to me often goes beyond what’s needed during working hours, and as a mom I appreciate her context and experience so much.

Website: inheritedtravel.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sheeka.sanahori/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheeka/

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