We recently connected with Ragon Ralston and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Ragon thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?
Wildlings really came from a tension I couldn’t ignore. I entered education through a child development lens first, working with young children from birth to age three. That training was deeply rooted in how children actually grow and learn. It shaped how I see everything. Later, when I pursued my elementary certification and stepped into the classroom, I started to notice a disconnect.
What I was being asked to teach and how I was expected to teach it did not align with what I knew children truly needed to develop. There was this constant pull between the system and the child in front of me. I thought I could make a difference from within, but the reality is the system is big, and the expectations are rigid. When I shared my frustrations, I was often told to care less, to do what I could, and leave it at that. But I couldn’t.
To me, child development is some of the most important work we do. It shapes everything. And I knew I couldn’t continue in a space that felt so misaligned with that. So Wildlings was born out of that- a mix of frustration, conviction, and a deep belief that children deserve better.
I didn’t have a business background or a clear plan. What I had was a strong knowing that children need time outdoors, space to play, freedom to explore, and learning that follows their natural curiosity through an emergent, child-led approach. What we’re doing isn’t new. It’s actually rooted in how children have always learned. What feels exciting is being part of a movement that is returning to that and bringing it back into our modern world.
Wildlings exists because there was a gap between what children need and what was being offered, and I felt called to help fill it.
Ragon, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I’m Ms. Ragon, the founder, owner, and lead teacher of We Grow Wildlings, and right now, I wear just about every hat behind the scenes. I’ve been working in child development and early childhood education for over 10 years, closer to 15, and it truly feels like my life’s work. I didn’t just enter this field… I feel called to it. Supporting children in becoming their fullest selves is something I care deeply about.
Wildlings is a fully outdoor, child-led forest school program for young children. We focus on real experiences, play, movement, and connection to nature as the foundation for learning. Alongside that, a huge part of what we do is social-emotional development. We help children learn how to understand their feelings, communicate their needs, listen to others, and navigate relationships with confidence and respect.
I think what sets me apart, and Wildlings apart, is both my background in child development and my perspective as a neurodivergent educator. I have a deep empathy and understanding for how children experience the world today. Many children are navigating environments that don’t align with how their brains and bodies are designed to learn. What we offer is something different, a more natural, holistic childhood that honors those needs.
We’re solving a gap that many families are feeling. Children are often expected to sit still, perform, and fit into systems that don’t support their development. At Wildlings, we create space for them to move, explore, take risks, and learn in ways that are actually aligned with how they grow.
What I’m most proud of is how quickly this little heart project has grown. We’re in our third year, and the response from the community has been incredible. It’s grown faster than I ever imagined, and now my focus is on building a strong foundation so we can continue expanding, bringing in more teachers, and reaching more families in Pinellas County and beyond.
Right now, we offer both drop-off forest school classes for young children and family classes where parents and caregivers can experience this style of learning alongside their kids. Those family classes rotate through different parks and preserves, which allows us to really explore and appreciate the natural beauty of our area together.
The biggest thing I want families to know is that I care deeply about each and every child. This is not just a program to me. I am committed to helping children develop to their fullest potential and to supporting families along the way. I truly believe it takes a village, and Wildlings is built around that sense of community.
Looking ahead, I’m especially excited to continue growing in a way that empowers families to take a more active role in their children’s education and to feel confident choosing alternative paths that truly support their child.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
The biggest factor has absolutely been word of mouth. Families are constantly telling me they’ve heard about Wildlings at parks, playgrounds, playdates, and other homeschool or co-op groups. That means so much to me because it’s all been very organic. I’m not out there trying to convince people to join. They’re hearing about us from other families who are genuinely excited about what their children are experiencing.
Social media has played a role, especially in the beginning, but as we’ve grown, I’ve actually had to step back from it. Most of our classes are full with waitlists, and my time is focused on running the program and supporting the families we already have. At this point, our growth is almost entirely driven by our community sharing their experiences, whether that’s through conversations, photos, or videos.
I think what makes it spread so naturally is that what we’re offering is something families are really craving. We’re creating a space where children can develop a true love of learning, and where families can experience more connection, more presence, and more flexibility in their daily lives. It moves away from that one-size-fits-all model and gives families something that feels more aligned, more human, and more meaningful. And when people experience that shift, it’s hard not to share.
That’s really what has built our reputation. A strong, connected community of like-minded families who believe in what we’re doing and want to be part of it. Right now, that includes about 50 active Wildlings families in our drop-off program and a team of 16 dedicated parent volunteers helping support our growth.
Have you ever had to pivot?
Honestly, I feel like I’m constantly pivoting, both in small ways and big ones. That’s part of being a business owner, and part of how my brain works. I’m always assessing, adjusting, and realigning.
But the biggest pivot in both my life and career happened during the pandemic. About three months before everything shut down, I had taken a huge leap. I left my teaching position at a local Montessori school, which I loved, to help open and run a gym-based childcare center with a group I deeply trusted. It was an incredible opportunity. I got to design the space, build the program, hire and train staff, and manage the entire operation. It was my first real experience stepping into a business ownership role in the childcare world.
And then, just as we were getting started, everything shut down. Overnight, the business closed, and I found myself without a job, in a completely uncertain world, as a single mom with a young son. It was honestly really scary. There was no clear path forward, and everything felt unstable. So I had to pivot.
I asked myself how I could still follow my passion for working with children while adapting to what the world was becoming at the time. That’s when I decided to go back to school and earn my elementary teaching certification through the University of South Florida. My thinking was that if education stayed online, I needed a way to support my family. That decision led me into the public school system, which turned out to be one of the most important experiences I could have had. It gave me a full view of the education spectrum and ultimately clarified what I knew in my core. That there was a gap between what children need and what they were receiving. That realization is what led me to create Wildlings.
So while that season felt like everything was falling apart, it actually redirected me exactly where I needed to go. Now, even on the hardest days, I feel more aligned, fulfilled, and certain of my purpose than ever before. Looking back, I wouldn’t change any part of that pivot. It gave me the perspective I needed to build something better.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wegrowwildlings.com
- Instagram: @wegrowwildlings
