PRESS & MEDIA
​Lisa-Gaye Shakespeare is a luxury travel planner and founder of Shakespeare Agency, specializing in fully planned and booked travel experiences across the Caribbean and Africa.
Her work sits at the intersection of luxury travel, cultural storytelling and seamless execution, making her a trusted voice in both the travel planning and content creation space.
FEATURED IN
Jamaican Roots, Global Routes: Lisa-Gaye Shakespeare’s Travel Lessons
I caught up with Lisa-Gaye Shakespeare, a Black travel and lifestyle influencer from Jamaica who resides in the US. Her excitement for exploring the world is palpable, and it’s clear that her journey is filled with vibrant experiences and profound lessons as she continues to show that it is normal for people who look like us to travel the world.
Lisa Shakespeare creates memorable travel adventures
Lisa-Gaye Shakespeare’s journey as a travel influencer, specialising in crafting unforgettable Caribbean itineraries, has its roots in a profound love for her Jamaican heritage.
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In speaking with Lifestyle, she says she proudly carries the essence of Jamaica with her wherever she goes.​
Meet Lisa-Gaye Shakespeare
When I first started my business back in 2020, I’ll be very honest, I had no clue what I was doing. I just threw everything I loved all under one umbrella. It was a lot! I was teaching dance fitness classes several times a week, sometimes twice a day. I was managing social media accounts for small businesses (creating content, writing captions, posting and engaging) plus managing and doing the same for my own accounts. In addition to writing press releases and website copy for small businesses. I was doing this all by myself so needless to say, I experienced burn out real quick! I actually almost gave up on Shakespeare Agency because not only was I overwhelmed, the business wasn’t very successful. But having my hands in so many different pots allowed me to see where my true passion lied and that was with travel.
10 Caribbean American Women in Business to Support in 2024
Lisa-Gaye Shakespeare is a passionate globetrotter and the founder of Shakespeare Agency, a hub for all things travel and adventure. With a spirited heart and insatiable curiosity, Lisa has explored 59 countries and 25 U.S. states, crafting a life dedicated to uncovering the beauty, history, and culture that our world has to offer.
How Lisa-Gaye Shakespeare turned her wanderlust into a thriving global travel business
Lisa-Gaye Shakespeare would watch television for hours, sitting on the mat of her Clarendon home in Jamaica. Beaches, buildings, jungles, and cultures would flash before her nine year old eyes – the tiny box became her window to foreign worlds.
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This wanderlust followed her into adulthood, turning into an enviable career as a travel influencer. Lisa’s deep desire to share her experiences motivated her to create the Shakespeare Agency, which partners with tourism brands to provide incredible travel adventures to those with a hunger like nine-year-old Lisa had.
These Black Women Left Their Jobs To Turn Their Wildest Dreams Into Reality
“I’m too big for a f***ing cubicle!” Those thoughts motivated Randi O to kiss her 9 to 5 goodbye and step into her dreams of becoming a full-time social media entrepreneur. She now owns Randi O P&R. Gabrielle, the founder of Raw Honey, was moving from state to state for her corporate job, and every time she packed her suitcases for a new zip code, she regretted the loss of community and the distance in her friendships. So she created a safe haven and village for queer Black people in New York.
Then there were those who gave up their zip code altogether and found a permanent home in the skies. After years spent recruiting students for a university, Lisa-Gaye Shakespeare became a full-time travel influencer and founded her travel company, Shakespeare Agency. And she's not alone.
Jamaican travel influencer
Lisa-Gaye Shakespeare finds success traveling the world
Lisa-Gaye Shakespeare remembers being glued to the television as a young girl growing up in Clarendon, Jamaica. The television was her window into other worlds and other cultures. By the time she managed to leave the country, she was slack-jawed. “I remember my first trip with my mom to the Cayman Islands. I was amazed there was this great big world out there outside of Jamaica.” The travel influencer, content creator, and trip host, whose Shakespeare Agency Instagram account inspires wicked wanderlust, has had the travel bug for as long as she can remember.
Travel Crush Tuesday: Lisa
Walking with lions, visiting the Elmina & Cape Coast castles, and moving back home to Jamaica are just some of the bold and life changing experiences that this week’s Travel Crush shared with us. Hearing Lisa’s touching stories of her experiences made us feel like we are on her travel journey alongside her. That is what travel influencers do; inspire us, so we can create our own adventures and memories!
Chatting With Caribbean Travel Influencer
Meet Lisa-Gaye Shakespeare of Shakespeare Travels
Lisa-Gaye, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I was born and raised in Jamaica and moved to the U.S. when I was 16 years old for college. I did my bachelor’s in Communication in Tampa, FL then moved to Miami, FL and did my masters in Broadcast Journalism. When I graduated in 2010, I could not find a job in journalism, so I began working in higher education with international students. I’ve been in the international education field for seven years now and I love my job, especially being able to travel and recruit students, showcasing Miami, the university, and our programs.
