Today we’d like to introduce you to Iris Martin.
Hi Iris, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’m Iris Martin, Founder and CEO of Surreal Journeys Travel, and my journey has been anything but traditional. I became emancipated at 15 years old and learned very early how to survive, adapt, and build opportunities for myself. Entrepreneurship wasn’t just a dream for me, it became a necessity.
Before launching my agency, I spent years working in Executive Assistant and customer service roles, where I developed a deep understanding of customer service and, more importantly, people. Nearly 1o years ago, I took a leap of faith and started Surreal Journeys Travel with a vision of creating experiences that felt bigger than just vacations. I wanted people, especially Black travelers who often felt overlooked in luxury travel spaces, to feel seen, celebrated, safe, and genuinely cared for while exploring the world.
What started as a small business has grown into a thriving travel community with thousands of clients and guests traveling with us all over the world. Today, we specialize in curated group travel experiences that focus heavily on connection, culture, ease, and community. Whether we’re in Bali, South Africa, Dubai, Japan, Morocco, or somewhere in the Caribbean, my goal is always the same: to create experiences that people never forget.
One thing that makes SJT different is that we truly prioritize the human connection side of travel. In a world where so much is becoming automated and AI-driven, our travelers know they can literally meet us in the lobby and everything is already handled. Transportation, excursions, schedules, support, community, we’ve created a travel experience where people can simply show up and enjoy themselves.
Along the way, there have definitely been challenges. Building a business while raising a family, navigating difficult seasons, and overcoming personal obstacles taught me resilience and strengthened my purpose. But every obstacle helped shape the woman and entrepreneur I am today.
At this stage in my life, I’m proud not only of the business I’ve built, but of the impact it’s had. I’ve watched strangers become lifelong friends on our trips. I’ve seen people rediscover themselves through travel, and families reconnect. I’ve helped people step outside of fear and experience the world in ways they never imagined possible. That’s what keeps me going.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely has not been a smooth road, but I think that’s part of what makes the journey meaningful. I’ve faced challenges personally, professionally, and financially throughout my entrepreneurial journey.
As a business owner, one of the biggest challenges has been balancing entrepreneurship with motherhood and real life responsibilities. Running a travel company, especially one centered around large group experiences, requires an incredible amount of coordination, problem-solving, and emotional energy. People often see the beautiful destinations and glamorous moments online, but behind the scenes there are countless moving parts, long nights, and difficult decisions.
The travel industry itself can also be unpredictable. We’ve navigated hurricanes, global travel disruptions, supplier issues, last-minute cancellations, flight delays, and even world events that directly impacted our trips. During those moments, I learned that leadership is really tested in difficult seasons, not easy ones. I’ve had to make hard calls, advocate fiercely for my clients, and remain calm under pressure while carrying the weight of an entire group’s experience on my shoulders.
Another challenge has been learning to set boundaries and protect my peace as the business grew. When you genuinely care about people, it’s easy to pour from an empty cup. Over time, I realized that sustainability matters. I had to learn that I could still lead with heart while also creating structure, policies, and systems that protected both my business and my well-being.
I’ve also experienced moments of self-doubt along the way. As a Black woman in business, especially in luxury travel spaces where representation has historically been limited, there were times I questioned whether I belonged in certain rooms. But instead of shrinking, I decided to build my own table and create spaces where people who looked like me felt welcomed, celebrated, and inspired to see the world.
Every challenge taught me something valuable. They strengthened my resilience, sharpened my leadership skills, and reminded me why I started this journey in the first place. Looking back now, I can honestly say the obstacles helped shape both the business and the woman I’ve become.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Surreal Journeys Travel?
Surreal Journeys Travel is a minority owned company specializing in curated group travel experiences around the world. We create immersive, stress-free experiences that allow our travelers to simply show up and enjoy the journey while we handle the details.
What sets us apart is the sense of community and personal connection we create. Our trips are more than vacations — they’re experiences that bring people together, build confidence, create lifelong friendships, and introduce travelers to destinations and cultures they may have never explored on their own.
We’re especially proud of creating a welcoming space for our travelers to experience luxury travel, cultural exploration, and meaningful connections in a way that feels authentic, safe, and celebratory. From Bali and South Africa to Dubai, Japan, and beyond, our mission has always been to help people see more of the world while creating unforgettable memories along the way.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
Honestly, my clients deserve so much credit for the success of Surreal Journeys Travel. Over the years, they’ve become more than clients; they’ve become a community and a huge part of the heart behind this brand. They constantly share my posts, refer their friends and family, support my vision, and genuinely root for me and the business. There have even been moments where they’ve defended me or spoken up on my behalf when they felt I wasn’t being appreciated for the amount of care and work I put into what I do. That kind of loyalty and support means more to me than words can explain.
My team also deserves tremendous credit. Behind every successful trip is an incredible amount of coordination, communication, and problem-solving, and I’m grateful to have people who genuinely care about our travelers and our mission. They help bring the SJT experience to life and support me in ways that allow the business to continue growing.
And of course, my children have been one of my biggest motivations throughout this journey. Entrepreneurship requires sacrifice, long hours, and emotional energy, and they’ve supported me through every season. A lot of what I do is rooted in creating a legacy for my family while also showing them what resilience, passion, and perseverance look like in real life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://surrealjourneystravels.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/surrealjourneystravel/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/surrealjourneystravel
