Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalia Cooper.
Hi Natalia, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve been planning travel for as long as I can remember. Back in college, I organized a trip to Peru for 9 girls with multiple stops, transfers, and destinations — long before all the helpful tools we have now. Ever since then, friends and family have always come to me for travel tips, itineraries, and help making the most of their time and budget. I genuinely love the research side of travel and figuring out how to make a trip feel seamless, meaningful, and fun.
In 2018, I took my 14-week-old son to Colombia, and then to Peru the following year. Fast forward to 2022, I took my two young children to Walt Disney World, and that trip sparked a whole new passion in me. Planning Disney with little ones felt like solving a giant puzzle. I was determined to figure it out so we could truly enjoy our time together as a family.
In 2023, I saw an opportunity to become a Travel Advisor with Once Upon a Time Vacations and officially began my journey as a travel professional. While I already had years of firsthand experience planning trips, there was also extensive training that helped me grow even more in this role. I’ll never forget the first family who trusted me with their Disney vacation. It felt like such a gift and such a responsibility all at once.
Since then, my business has grown far beyond theme parks. I love helping families take memorable adventures together, but I also love curating trips for couples and adults. Those getaways matter too, as they’re often what help us reconnect, recharge, and show up more fully in our everyday lives.
I truly just love planning travel. It’s been such a fun and unexpected journey, and 2026 has been the year it’s really taken off. I’m so excited to see where this path leads and what trip I’ll get to help plan next. Every single vacation I’m trusted with feels like an honor, and I feel incredibly lucky to do something I genuinely love.
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?
No, it definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road. One of the biggest struggles for me has been imposter syndrome. There are times when I’ve questioned whether I’m qualified to recommend a destination I haven’t personally visited myself. But over time, I’ve learned that being a great travel advisor isn’t about pretending to know everything — it’s about being resourceful, honest, and committed to giving clients the best possible experience.
That’s why I lean on trusted brands, strong partnerships, and the incredible network of advisors I work alongside. I’m part of a team of more than 120 travel planners with a wide range of expertise, so if I don’t feel fully confident about a destination, resort, or cruise line, I always have someone knowledgeable to collaborate with. I never want to recommend something just to make a sale. I want clients to feel genuinely cared for and well guided.
I also really enjoy learning alongside my clients. Every trip teaches me something new, and I think that curiosity and willingness to keep growing has made me a better advisor over time.
As you know, we’re big fans of Tiny People Traveling. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I’m an independent travel advisor under the umbrella of Once Upon a Time Vacations, and I help clients plan meaningful, memorable vacations with less stress and more intention. While I initially specialized in family travel — especially Disney destinations and trips with young children — I’ve expanded my offerings this year to include couples getaways, adults-only vacations, cruises, all-inclusive resorts, and more. I love helping clients narrow down the right destination, resort, hotel, dining experiences, and overall travel style that truly fits their family, budget, and season of life.
What sets me apart is the personal connection and passion I bring to this work. I’m a small business owner and a mom, and I think people really value working with someone who genuinely cares and is deeply invested in creating a great experience for them. I’m not a giant corporation or a booking engine. I’m a real person walking alongside my clients throughout the entire process. I want people to feel like they have a travel partner they can trust.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud of the growth I’ve experienced recently. I’ve already doubled my sales from last year, and we’re not even halfway through the year yet. A big part of that growth has come from stepping outside my comfort zone by promoting myself more confidently, following up with leads, and continuing to invest in learning opportunities within my agency. Whenever trainings or destination experiences become available, I’m usually one of the first people to jump in because I truly love learning and expanding what I can offer my clients.
More than anything, I want readers to know that I genuinely love what I do. Most of the time, my services are complimentary or already built into the cost of the trip, so clients are able to receive personalized support while also supporting a small business owner. From the very first idea all the way through travel day, I’m there to help make the process smoother, more exciting, and more personal.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Travel makes me happy. I love experiencing new places, especially alongside my children. There’s something so special about learning about different cultures, trying new foods, and exploring destinations that are completely different from our everyday life. Travel creates memories and perspective in a way that nothing else really can. I also think that these experiences can happen nearby, a car trip away and far away requiring a long plane ride. No travel experience is too small! Travel also teaches us so much about ourselves and it teaches our little ones so much too. We are pushed out of our comfort zone, our limits are tested and so much more!
What’s funny is that while I genuinely love the adventure and excitement of traveling, sometimes one of the best feelings is coming home afterward. I always feel grateful for the experience, am refreshed by the change of scenery, and feel appreciative of the life waiting for us at home.
Pricing:
- complimentary quote
- complimentary planning
- *$200 planning fee (if applicable)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.onceuponatimevacations.com/agent-pages/meet-nataliacooper
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tiny.people.traveling
- Other: https://forms.gle/5ZtqMnkDWhng31PL7
