Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lauren Rainwater. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Lauren thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. So, naming is such a challenge. How did you come up with the name of your brand?

As a teacher, the content is rarely the hardest part. That usually comes naturally. The real challenge, the place where the magic truly happens, is in the captivation. Can you capture your students’ attention and keep it? Do they light up when you walk in? Does the sound of your name bring a smile? Do the worries they carried in start to fade away the moment class begins? When that happens, a teacher hasn’t just taught, she’s captivated her students. At that point, the learning takes care of itself.

When I named our school, I wanted it to reflect what I believe about education and about people: pursue them, serve them, love them well. I strive to create a space, and be the kind of teacher, whose presence leaves kids feeling safe, loved, confident, brave, excited, and empowered.

Ultimately, Captivate is also a nod to my faith. I imagine standing in the holy presence of God as completely awe-struck…fully seen and fully loved. And that’s not just inspiration; it’s direction. My faith isn’t a footnote, it’s the source and standard for how I conduct myself, my business, and my classroom. It shapes everything from the way I speak to children and partner with families to the decisions I make about curriculum, stewardship, integrity, generosity, and excellence. Captivate felt like the truest name for what I hope our students and families experience every day.

Lauren, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m Lauren Rainwater, founder of Captivate Learning Center and a former public-school teacher with 12 years of experience. Captivate is a tutoring, homeschool, and enrichment hub for families who want rigorous instruction without losing the joy of learning. We keep groups small, instruction targeted, and learning hands-on so skills stick and confidence grows.

My approach is simple and personal: relationship first, then intentional guidance toward the next right step. I get to work alongside certified teachers who are joyful and fearless—willing to be silly, take creative risks, and love our kids like crazy. Beyond academics, we build confidence, responsibility, and practical life skills that carry kids into the real world.

Outside of Captivate, my family operates Rainwater Ranch, a first generation cattle ranch offering ranch-to-table beef for the public, which continually reminds me that excellence is built in small, consistent steps. That same mindset guides our work with students: show up, do the next right thing, and celebrate growth.

How I got here:

After 12 years in public school, I wanted to teach without limits—no ceilings, no “we can’t,” no waiting for permission to do what’s best for kids. I envisioned a place where going above and beyond is the norm, then built the systems, the team, and the daily rhythm to make it real. Just as importantly, I wanted a life that put family back in the front seat. Captivate lets me spend more time at home as a wife and mom, and it gives my children a different kind of education—and a different kind of life. And for the hours they’re with us, school feels more meaningful and alive—packed with real, practical skills they’ll use for the rest of their lives.

What we do:

Captivate is a tutoring, homeschool, and enrichment hub. We blend strong academics with real-world, hands-on experiences so learning sticks and kids light up.
• Captivate Homeschool (K–5): Small, multi-age community with targeted instruction and lots of collaboration. Full academic instruction the first two hours of the day, common sense and life skills the second half of the day.
• Success Sessions (tutoring): 1:1 and small pods, taught by certified teachers who are joyful, creative, and fearless.
• Readiness Sessions: Short, focused cycles to strengthen foundational skills.
• Enrichment & Events: Little Chefs, Little Picassos, themed camps, and Parents Night Out.

We run a focused two-hour block for explicit instruction in reading and math—tight, targeted, and hands-on. The rest of the day is Lifestyle Lessons where academics come alive: gardening, sewing, cooking, cleaning, tool use, money management, farm/ranch skills, professionalism, public speaking, community service, and more. Kids practice responsibility, problem-solving, teamwork, and follow-through, skills they’ll use for life.

Problems we solve
• Burnout & boredom: We replace worksheets-on-repeat with joyful, memorable learning that builds confidence.
• Skill gaps: Clear goals, small groups, frequent feedback, and immediate practice.
• Family logistics: Flexible options, open communication, and a team you can trust.
• Character & life readiness: Kids learn to show up, contribute, and take pride in real work.

What sets us apart:
• No ceilings culture: If an idea will serve kids, we find a way.
• Joyful, fearless teaching: We’ll wear the costumes, try the wild idea, and turn hallways into labs.
• Multi-age leadership: Big kids mentor, littles rise—everyone belongs and grows.
• Relationship first: Safety, belonging, and high expectations live together here.
• Real-world application: Life skills aren’t an “extra”; they’re built into every week.

What I’m most proud of:

I’m proud of the small, everyday moments: a child asking to stay just five more minutes; a student who once avoided the hard stuff suddenly leaning in because they know they’re capable; the kind of joy that makes them sigh when we say, “Time’s up.” Those are the moments that tell me we’re doing it right.

What I want readers to know:

Captivate is a place where kids are known, challenged, and celebrated. We chase mastery and wonder. We do the small things right, over and over. And we believe school can be full of purpose and joy—forming habits and skills that last a lifetime.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Honestly, I didn’t set out to “build an audience.” I just shared my heart, the good, the hard, the joyful, the wins, and the misses. I’m a wife and mom before I’m a teacher or business owner, so I look at everything in my classroom and business through those lenses first. Most of the people who follow along aren’t teachers; they’re parents doing their best and wanting the world for their babies. That’s me, too. When I post, I try to speak to that, to the mom in the car line and the dad reading on the couch.

I share simple, real moments: a kid finally believing “I can do this,” our messy middle during a project, a small systems win that made learning smoother, the laughter when we try something silly and it works. I celebrate kids’ progress (with care for privacy), cheer on families, and encourage anyone who needs a reminder that growth takes small, consistent steps.

Advice for those just starting:

Lead with your life, not your logo. Share what you believe and how you live it—people connect with people.

Talk to one person. Write your caption like a text to a friend; drop the jargon.

Show the messy middle. Don’t only post polished afters. Share what you tried, what you’d change, and why.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

Two books I return to again and again are How to Win Friends & Influence People (Dale Carnegie) and Thinking for a Change (John C. Maxwell).

How to Win Friends & Influence People — Dale Carnegie

This book taught me that leadership is first a people practice. The big takeaways I use daily:

Lead with genuine interest and appreciation. I start parent and team conversations with what’s going well and why it matters.

Talk in terms of the other person’s interests. When we design programs, we frame them around what families actually need this season.

Criticize less, coach more. Feedback is behavior-based and specific (“When X happened, the impact was Y; next time let’s try Z.”).

How it shows up at Captivate: quick thank-you notes to teachers and partners, parent communication that leads with care, spotlighting student wins, and conflict handled with curiosity and respect.

Thinking for a Change — John C. Maxwell

This one gave me structure for “no-ceilings” thinking.

Use multiple thinking modes. Big-picture for vision, realistic for constraints, creative for new paths, reflective for lessons learned.

Why these two together matter: Carnegie keeps me people-first; Maxwell keeps me clear-thinking and action-oriented. That combination guides everything—from how we hire joyful, fearless teachers, to how we design programs that serve families, to how we make decisions we can sustain with excellence.

If you’re just starting your leadership journey, my tip is simple: pair a people book with a thinking book, reread them, and turn two or three ideas into weekly habits. Small, consistent steps—done with care—change everything.

Contact Info:

• Website: captivate.tutorbird.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/captivatelearningcenter/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570087007809
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-rainwater-136169345