Today we’d like to introduce you to Iana Edwards.
Hi Iana, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
We started mid-pandemic with just an idea to create a Global Travel Tribe. In 60 days from inception, we had our business launched and our first ticket sold. We have successfully executed 6 retreats at the time of this question- Jamaica, Costa Rica, Morocco, South Africa, Bali, Tulum, and Brazil Feb 2024 and Fiji 2024.
Kasondra and Iana are willing to fail, which is why they succeed. Paradise and Vibe has had not marketing budget, all of our growth has been through word of mouth and harnessing the power of relationships and social media.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Navigating and orchestrating group travel through the pandemic was challenging to say the least, making sure everyone has their COVID test, vaccines, visas, and continuous prayer that no one tested positive for their return to the USA. Orchestrating large group travel can be challenging, but the payoff of building connections with strangers from around the world is always with it.
We’ve been impressed with Paradise and Vibe, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Paradise + Vibe fosters Connection / Community. We offer unforgettable experiences that place connection at the core of wellness.
Wellness, Reimagined.
Community-Centric: Our brand prioritizes building connections and fostering a supportive community.
Balanced: Embracing childhood’s joyful play is crucial for a well-rounded wellness experience. We encourage adventure, creativity, and curiosity.
Non-Traditional: We reject strict diets and rigid exercises, and ways of presenting.
Inclusive: Challenging wellness norms, we uplift underrepresented people of color.
Foster Connection / Community
Making wellness accessible to black/diverse community
Wellness: Workshops + Education (MIND)
Health: Yoga + Meditation (BODY)
Adventure: Play (SPIRIT)
We have a huge emphasis on PLAY: Playing is just as important for adults as it is for children. Among its many benefits, adult play can boost your creativity, sharpen your sense of humor, and help you cope better with stress. The research behind positive psychology shows there are so many benefits to prioritizing positivity and rest – it improves our health, it improves our relationships and it can actually help to make us more successful at work. Specifically in the Black community, we are combatting generational trauma, the racial wealth gap, the Black maternal health crisis & a number of other stressors. Humans are a social species so play is a form of bonding & fosters community which is so important for our mental, physical, and spiritual health.
While the wellness industry should be accessible to everyone, far too often it feels like a luxury instead of a necessity. At Paradise + Vibe, we understand the cultural, environmental, and financial factors that contribute to the Black community not receiving access to quality care. While those in wellness spaces slowly make room for people from all communities to participate, it’s important for us to carve out a place for each other. Whether it’s taking a walk in the park, meditating, practicing yoga, or taking a long bath, it’s important that we remind our communities that there are paths to wellness to take that don’t depend on socioeconomic status. Despite the trends, posters, and hashtags, wellness is not a commodity. It is an essential tool for everyday life, and we are all worthy.
Thinking of ourselves as a supercomputer. We are one of the most advanced neurological species in the world. We don’t believe that you have to have a certain diet or aesthetic to have a healthy mind, body, and spirit. Taking things that are already in you and pulling it out of you. Constantly in a whole where we are told what we lack & we don’t exist in that space. Identify the things that are already in you. You don’t have to change who you are. We approach wellness with balance. It’s about joy. American society doesn’t prioritize community and connection for wellness.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Profound impact one leaves on the world.
Contact Info:
- Website: paradiseandvibe.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/paradiseandvibe
Image Credits
Winfield Wellington
