Hidden Gems: Meet Natalia Cooper of The Bunny Hive Nashville

Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalia Cooper

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, and have always had a deep-rooted passion for children, education and community. After completing my studies in early childhood education at the University of Georgia, I took a bold step in 2011 and moved to Nashville to pursue a master’s degree in teaching at Vanderbilt University. With a fulfilling 7-year career in elementary education behind me, I embraced a new role as a stay-at-home mom to my two boys.

It was during this period of parenting that I noticed my Atlanta friends sharing delightful photos of them and their children at The Bunny Hive. The beauty of the space and the seemingly engaging experiences piqued my interest. With a strong desire to blend my educational expertise with entrepreneurship, I reached out to the founders of The Bunny Hive and expressed a desire to bring this innovative concept to my new city. I just knew Nashville families needed this in our community, especially since I was looking for opportunities to keep my own kids entertained!

In 2022, we welcomed a new baby into our family, which further inspired my journey and desire to build community within a The Bunny Hive studio. By February 2024, I signed the lease for The Bunny Hive Nashville, and by June I had proudly opened its doors. Reflecting on my journey, I feel that every step along the way has been leading to this moment. I didn’t foresee this evolution of my career, but it’s been a welcome change with so much learning. The past few months have been incredibly rewarding, especially the joy of meeting so many local families and their little ones. I am so grateful that they are choosing to spend their most precious moments creating memories together at The Bunny Hive Nashville. I look forward to expanding The Bunny Hive into more areas of our vibrant and growing city, continuing to create delightful experiences for families across town.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Owning a business comes with a host of challenges, especially when you’re stepping into the role for the first time and finding yourself wearing many hats, some of which have been completely unexpected. The steep learning curve has often felt overwhelming, amplifying feelings of imposter syndrome as I navigate uncharted territory. Balancing the demands of running a business with mothering three young children and managing everyday responsibilities adds another layer of complexity to the equation. This is a constant struggle and juggle, but we are all adjusting to our new normal. Additionally, spreading the word about my business has proven to be an ongoing task, requiring relentless effort and ingenuity. I dedicated a lot of time to marketing prior to opening, but am now revisiting how to keep advertising our unique concept to local families. Social media has played a crucial role in this, but I’m sure there are many other untapped resources. However, there’s a silver lining: the continuous cycle of new babies in Nashville ensures a steady stream of clients, offering a reassuring sense of stability and helping to keep the business afloat despite the challenges. Bring your babies to The Bunny Hive – we just adore them!

As you know, we’re big fans of The Bunny Hive Nashville. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
The Bunny Hive Nashville is a delightful social club where little ones and their grownups come together to learn and play in a warm, welcoming environment. Our diverse offerings include art, music, sensory activities, culinary exploration and more, catering to babies as young as a few weeks old and children up to kindergarten age. What sets us apart is our unique pricing structure, which is per family rather than per child, making it both economical and accessible. We also pride ourselves in our clean, inviting space which is complemented by a team of dedicated teachers who genuinely enjoy getting to know our members and their families. I’m especially proud of the positive word-of-mouth and heartfelt recommendations from friends that have helped spread the word about the joy and value we offer at The Bunny Hive Nashville. In addition to our regular classes, we host special events, including festive holiday celebrations and small groups, and offer space rentals for memorable birthday parties. The Bunny Hive Nashville is more than just a venue—it’s a community hub where families can bond, learn, and celebrate together.

If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Warm and welcoming are the words that come to mind when thinking of and defining our success. We want everyone who sets foot in our space to feel happy and comfortable and know they are welcome to show up in any state. Life with littles can be wildly unpredictable and our goal is for our studio to be a safe place to land. Learning and development for the child are certainly important, but we hope our families consider this beautiful place a home away from home. Ultimately, our success is measured by the satisfaction and joy of our members and visitors. We hope to see you and your littles ones at The Bunny Hive Nashville soon!

Pricing:

• $30 single class
• $125 5-class pack
• $60/month, 3-class pass
• $150/month, unlimited membership

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thebunnyhive.com/nashville
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebunnyhivenashville