From Law to Learning: Former Attorney Finds His New Calling With Children’s Lighthouse Franchise

For Randy Travis, joining the Children’s Lighthouse franchise was the culmination of a lifelong journey rooted in advocacy, family, and a desire to make a lasting impact. After years in law and business, Travis took over an existing Children’s Lighthouse school in Cypress, Texas, in November of 2024, and finally found the perfect intersection of purpose and profession.

“I didn’t just want a flashy franchise — I wanted to make an impact,” Travis said. “I wanted to do something where the mission aligned with my values and where I could be a part of something meaningful every day.”

1851 spoke with Travis to learn more about his background, his franchising journey with Children’s Lighthouse and his plans for the future. 

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What do you want us to know?

Randy Travis: After growing up on a small family farm in Louisiana, I earned my bachelor’s degree in business and completed law school in Mississippi. I practiced family law for several years, and that experience led me to a passion for the care of children and advocating for families. I represented many family clients in that space, and I began exploring ways I could work with children in a more direct way.

Along the way, I’ve had three sons — now 21, 11, and 10 — and I’ve always been very involved in their lives — coaching sports teams, participating in PTO, and being active in their schools. The idea of working in childcare really always felt like a natural extension of who I am.

1851: What was your perception of franchising prior to becoming a franchisee, and what do you want people to know about franchising now that you are in it?

Travis: I’ve had some experience with business ownership in the past. I started a law firm and later established a social media company that focused on veterinary websites. I also spent time in veterinary pharmaceutical sales. But I always knew I’d come back to business ownership eventually — it was just a matter of finding the right fit.

Having grown up on a family farm, being prepared financially was part of the plan before I could jump into childcare. I also knew I’d need support to do it well, and that’s where the Children’s Lighthouse franchise made a lot of sense. I knew my strengths and weaknesses, and I recognized how helpful it would be to plug into a proven system that could guide me along the way.

1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?

Travis: When my wife and I were ready to move forward in childcare, we were fortunate to find a Children’s Lighthouse location that was already for sale. One of the biggest factors that drew us to the brand was the curriculum. Our middle son struggled when he first entered kindergarten because the daycare we had him in didn’t adequately prepare him. He’s now in the gifted and talented program, but it showed us how critical early education is. So when we evaluated Children’s Lighthouse, the curriculum was front and center.

From a business perspective, the Children’s Lighthouse model was most appealing — especially the stability. In any economy, people still need reliable, high-quality childcare. Also, the ability to own the real estate gives you a potentially appreciable asset.

Emotionally, I was drawn to the idea of being part of the nurturing and growth of the children at our center.  I felt being present was important, and I am here every day, greeting the kids and their families.  

1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?

Travis: My wife is an ultrasound technologist and she tells me all the time that she’s jealous of the work I get to do now. So yes, we would love to expand to another school in the future. This is something we hope becomes a long-term part of our family’s future.

1851: Is there anything else about your story you want us to know?

Travis: Caring for children has always been a passion for Carlye and I, even before we purchased our Children’s Lighthouse location. We were planning and working to get here for a long time. I’ve always made working with children a priority, whether it was through coaching, volunteering, fundraising, or legal work. That philosophy — children first — carries through to how we run our school today. That’s what guides us.

1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming franchise owners?

Travis: For me, the franchise model was absolutely the right fit — especially for someone new to childcare. You’re paying for a system that’s already figured out what works. They have answers to your questions and a path to follow, and that removes a huge weight from your shoulders.

If you’re on the fence between going independent or joining a franchise, I have to recommend joining a group like Children’s Lighthouse. You receive structure, support, and a team behind you — which can make all the difference.

About Children’s Lighthouse

The Children’s Lighthouse brand was established in Ft. Worth, Texas in 1997. The Children’s Lighthouse Early Learning Schools® brand promise to create a safe, fun, and happy place that gives children confidence, a sense of comfort today, and a lifelong love of learning, friendship, and community. Children’s Lighthouse focuses on age-appropriate and values based curriculums that focus on kindergarten readiness and creating lifelong learners. In 2025, Children's Lighthouse was ranked on the Entrepreneur 500 and as a Top Franchise for 2025 by Franchise Business Review. In 2024, Children's Lighthouse was featured on the Franchise Times Top 400.