Ser'Darius Blain Launches Travel Company to Turn Strangers into Friends

Ser'Darius Blain, an actor known for his role in the Jumanji film series, has always had a strong sense of hospitality. Before entering the entertainment industry, Blain worked in restaurants for 12 years, starting as a server and eventually becoming a manager. This experience taught him the importance of taking care of people.

In 2020, he combined his two passions—his love for human connection and his interest in film production—to launch his own travel company, Top Shelf Getaways.

The idea behind starting this company came from a particularly difficult period in his life. Blain faced a series of personal challenges: his brother was murdered, he went through a breakup with his girlfriend, and a close friend swindled him out of $150,000. Amidst these hardships, Blain took on two film projects shot in Thailand and Dubai, and the experiences he had while filming overseas led to a profound shift in his perspective.

These journeys provided him with deep emotional healing, which sparked the idea of creating a travel company. Blain envisioned a platform where people could connect, build friendships, and create unforgettable memories while traveling in luxury. Additionally, he saw the potential for travel to improve mental health.

Blain says that his favorite part of the trips is watching people who are complete strangers at the start, gradually become close friends within 24 hours—or even less—through carefully designed activities such as parties, group dinners, and themed events.

Each trip includes professional photographers and videographers, ensuring that participants capture their most authentic and sparkling moments, creating visual memories that resemble a movie or documentary.

The activities are diverse. For example, Blain recently organized a four-day “White Party” vacation in Marina del Rey (near Los Angeles), which included a comedy show hosted by comedian Broady The Joker, a yacht party, live music performances, a DJ, and formal dinner events.

But it’s not all about fun. Blain also incorporates practical aspects into the trips. For instance, on weekends, he arranges for financial advisors to host “Easy Finance” seminars, so that participants can bond while also learning valuable financial skills.

Blain, whose family background is Haitian and Dominican, was raised with the belief that "when someone comes to your home, you must treat them well." He has carried this spirit of hospitality into Top Shelf Getaways.

So far, Blain has organized 34 trips in 15 countries, welcoming about 2,800 guests. Looking ahead, he revealed that his next international trip will take place in Thailand from December 29, 2025, to January 5, 2026.

In addition to his travel business, Blain is set to return to acting. He may reprise his role in Jumanji 4, balancing his life between the spotlight of an actor and the warmth of an entrepreneur.