Meet Shannon H | Travel Blogger and Teacher

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

Hi Shannon, what do you attribute your success to?
I think that the most important factor behind the success of a brand is consistency and hard work. I have built my blogs www.TravelingTeacherGirl.com and www.UpperEastSideandBeyond.com as a side hustle while also working full time, which required being very diligent with my schedule. I would plan my week ahead of time, carving out daily time to create social media content and write blog posts. Usually this involved waking up a few hours early and getting this work done early in the morning. Being consistent with this has helped my businesses to grow steadily over time.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a full time music teacher and a part time travel blogger. I created my blog to help teachers navigate traveling on a teacher’s schedule and budget. I am very proud to know that I have helped teachers travel more by sharing free travel opportunities, travel discounts for teachers, and budget travel hacks. This is what motivates me even when encountering challenges such as time and schedule restraints.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
New York City is my favorite city and I LOVE taking friends to my favorite spots. My favorite neighborhood is the Upper East Side, which is why I created my second blog, www.UpperEastSideandBeyond.com . For a perfect NYC weekend trip, I would go to my favorite spots on the Upper East Side, including:

1. The Met

The Met is one of my favorite museums in NYC. There are a ton of exhibits to see- my favorites are the Egyptian Art and European Furniture exhibits. The Met also as a rooftop (open seasonally) with beautiful views of Central Park.

2. Central Park

Visiting Central Park is a must-do activity in NYC. Some nice spots to see in Central Park include the Jackie Onassis Reservoir, the Central Park Lake, the Bethesda Fountain and Terrace, and The Mall.

3. Xian Famous Foods

Their hand-ripped noodles are amazing! They were endorsed by Anthony Bourdain.

4. Eat Pretty

This Instagrammable cafe offers outdoor seating and beautiful coffee and pastries.

5. The Guggenheim or the Frick

In addition to the Met, there are many more amazing museums to explore on the Upper East Side such as the Guggenheim, Frick, Neue Galerie, and Cooper Hewitt.

6. Bemelmans Bar

Bemelmans is a classic NYC bar located at the Carlyle Hotel. They have live music every night. Be prepared for a celebrity sighting or two!

7. NR

NR is a small restaurant with amazing ramen and flaming cocktails.

8. Levain

Levain has one of NYC’s most famous cookies. These are a must-try while on the Upper East Side!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
It is so important to have support when building a new business. My biggest support is my family. They are always willing to hear about my upcoming projects, offer advice, and help me overcome obstacles. I have spent countless hours running ideas past them.

Website: www.travelingteachergirl.com and www.uppereastsideandbeyond.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/travelingteachergirl

Facebook: www.facebook.com/travelingteachergirl