He attended Thomas Jefferson High School (Denver), where he played tennis and competed on the debate team, and graduated in 1985.
In October 1997, Handler joined eBay after being recruited to run their business development group but convincing them they needed an in-house attorney.
In 2002, Handler and his brother Brent, along with Tom Filippini, founded destination club Exclusive Resorts after coming up with the idea while sitting on the beach together in Hawaii.
[9] Brad Handler served as the company's chairman, CEO and vice-chairman between 2002 and 2009, a period of great innovation and growth that led to Exclusive Resorts becoming the recognized industry leader.
In January 2011, Brent and Brad Handler re-entered the destination club marketplace with the launch of Denver-based Inspirato, along with co-founders Martin Pucher and Brian Corbett.
[14] Forbes magazine named Inspirato one of "America’s Most Promising Companies" in November 2011[15] and Robb Report included the club in its "Best of the Best 2012" list.
[17] The company has also been active philanthropically, helping raise over $1.5 million, as of August 2012, for nonprofit organizations, schools and hospitals across the country by providing vacation homes for auction at fundraising events.