We’re looking forward to introducing you to Lauren Cecil. Check out our conversation below.
Lauren, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Watching my kids thrive in sports is bringing me joy lately. They’re pushing themselves to be team players and go beyond their comfort zone in order to get better. Kids are so inspiring; their grit, determination and perseverance is admirable on a daily basis. It’s not always pretty to get where you want to go. Heck, it’s NEVER pretty to get to where you want to go. If you want to truly WIN though, you’ve got to dig deep within and push yourself to your next big achievement. Seeing them and guiding them through that process is pure joy right now.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Lauren Cecil — a wife, mom of three girls, and an entrepreneur who wears a lot of hats out here in the Big Bend region of Texas. I’m the owner and operator of Big Bend Jeep, Rio Bravo Ranch Campground, and La Centinela, a short-term rental, as well as the co-creator and director of the Bravo Bravery Retreat. At the heart of everything I do is one simple goal: to create spaces and experiences that help people feel grounded, inspired, and connected — whether that’s to the land, to each other, or to themselves.
My husband Charlie grew up spending time on Rio Bravo Ranch, and it’s become a place that we now steward together as a family. What started as our personal love for the land has grown into something we get to share — a campground for those who want to sleep under the stars, a home rental where guests rave about the sunsets, quiet, and thoughtful touches, and a Jeep rental business that helps people really explore the rugged beauty of Big Bend. The reviews we receive mean the world to me, because they often mention the details — the little things I love curating that make a stay feel intentional and personal.
Less than a year ago, I also felt called to co-create the Bravo Bravery Retreat. It’s a women’s retreat that blends strategy, creativity, and community with rest and inspiration. It’s designed for women who are building something — whether it’s a business, a brand, or a new season of life. We gather in the desert, slow down, breathe deep, and leave with clarity and courage to step forward. It’s one of the most meaningful projects I’ve ever worked on, because it brings together my passion for hospitality and my desire to help others thrive.
Life in West Texas is wild and beautiful, and it has a way of shaping you. My businesses might look like Jeep rentals, a campground, a rental house, and a retreat on the outside, but really, they’re all about the same thing: creating spaces where people can experience harmony — with nature, with others, and within themselves.
I’m so grateful to get to do this work alongside my family and the incredible community here. And I hope that whether you come out to rent a Jeep, stay at La Centinela, camp under the stars, or join us at Bravo Bravery, you’ll leave feeling a little more grounded, a little more inspired, and a little more connected.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
Without a doubt, my husband, Charlie. He has always seen the bigger picture of who I am — even before I did. From the very beginning, he believed in my ability to build, to create, and to lead. He has a quiet strength and vision that has pushed me to step into roles I might have shied away from on my own. When I doubted myself, he reminded me of my gifts. When I hesitated, he encouraged me to take the leap. Charlie has been both my grounding force and my biggest cheerleader, and so much of what I’ve built today — from our businesses to the retreats to the life we’ve created out here in Big Bend — is because he saw it in me first and never stopped reminding me until I saw it in myself too.
When did you last change your mind about something important?
Saying yes to moving my Jeep fleet to Terlingua. At first, I hesitated because my other businesses were in Presidio and I didn’t know many people in Terlingua. But that decision opened the door to incredible friendships, both in business and in life, and now I feel connected throughout the entire Big Bend region.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes — what you see is what you get. I value transparency, and I think that comes through in the reviews people leave about my businesses. The care, attention, and customer service reflected there are genuine, because I truly want every guest’s experience to feel personal and meaningful. I love when a guest “meets me” online on my social media and then gets to meet me in person. I’m the same!
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Are you tap dancing to work? Have you been that level of excited at any point in your career? If so, please tell us about those days.
Right now is my tap-dancing era. With Rio Bravo Ranch, Rio Bravo Songs, Big Bend Jeep, and the Bravo Bravery Retreat, I’m watching my visions come to life in real time. That kind of alignment makes me want to dance — whether anyone’s watching or not.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.riobravoranchtx.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/riobravoranchtx/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/riobravoranchtx
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/big-bend-jeep-terlingua
Image Credits
Ben Yanto, Butch Whitfield, Grant Pitmann, Nicole DiDaniele, Charlie Cecil
