Story & Lesson Highlights with Laura Adams of Paradise Valley

We recently had the chance to connect with Laura Adams and have shared our conversation below.

Laura, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What do you think is misunderstood about your business? 
The aspect most misunderstood about travel advisors is how we assist with the travel process in the age of the Internet. We know that most people can look up rates and travel dates on their own. We are here to provide options, reduce the time and stress of travel planning, and make the experience special for your unique family or group.

At Kaleidoscope Travel Advisors, our company specializes in assisting families with children who have autism and metabolic disorders. We’re a family-owned business that started because we were planning adventures for our family, which includes kiddos with both of those needs, and saw how difficult it was to coordinate everything. We dug in and figured it out, but it took a lot of time and energy, and we could see how many families in similar situations would—and do—give up on their travel plans. Our passion is helping all families create unforgettable travel experiences that are fun for every member of the family.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Laura Adams, and I am the co-owner of Kaleidoscope Travel Advisors. Travel has always been one of my passions. I believe it opens our eyes, shifts our perspective, and reminds us there’s a whole world beyond our everyday routines. When our family began traveling with little ones who have special needs, I was stunned by how hard it was to find reliable, clear information.

I spent countless hours combing through websites, reading through online boards, and piecing together support from different sources—just to feel halfway prepared. It was overwhelming.

But then… magic. Watching one of the kids enjoy a special meal with the family for the first time. Seeing another one of our kiddos light up thanks to a social story that helped them understand and get excited about our trip. Those were the moments that made it all worth it.

Those are the moments I want to help other families experience, without the stress. That’s why my sister-in-law, Lindsey Malamud, and I launched Kaleidoscope Travel Advisors. We’re here to simplify the process and design vacations that truly include everyone, from the very beginning. Every child deserves a travel experience that feels made just for them, and we’re here to help you plan a vacation that brings joy, ease, and unforgettable memories.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
A moment that shaped how I saw the world was my first trip to Europe. I was incredibly lucky to go on a trip to London with my mom for my 16th birthday, and the historical places that I saw and the different foods and cultures that I was exposed to really opened my eyes to a world beyond my hometown. I had always loved reading about them, and my head was perpetually buried in a book, but experiencing the Globe Theatre and knowing Shakespeare was nearby, or walking through Stonehenge and imagining all of the people that were there before, sparked a passion for travel, international and domestic, that continues to grow with each place I visit.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could tell my younger self one kind thing, it would be to plan less and go with the flow more. Planning is one of my skill sets that has served me well, but I would let my younger self know that when the plan doesn’t work out, which is often, the best thing you can do is let it go, figure out what the next step is, and try to be at peace with whatever comes next.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
They would say that the thing that matters most to me is my family and friends. I’m a true extrovert, so being around people, especially those whom I love, gives me so much energy and happiness. It’s important to me that I check in on everybody, know what is going on in their lives, and show up when they need me as much as possible. It’s gotten harder the older I’ve gotten and the more responsibilities that I have, but it is still my top priority, and the time that I do have with my loved ones brings me so much joy.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What will you regret not doing? 
I would regret not finding ways to spend more time with the people whom I love and the things that bring me happiness – like traveling. I know it can be cliché, but I don’t think many people reach the end of their lives and think, “I wish I had taken fewer vacations.” Or “That family event or visit with a friend was such a waste of time.” I’ve been lucky enough to realize at a relatively young age that you don’t get that time back, and I don’t want to regret missing all those incredible moments.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kaleidoscopetraveladvisors.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaleidoscopetraveladvisors
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kaleidoscope-travel-advisors
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564443434210