Junction City woman dares others to get out and dream big
TOPEKA (KSNT) – The honoree for October 2024 wears many, many hats. She's an award winning entrepreneur, childcare and parenting expert, certified family life educator, motivational speaker, author, community leader and owner of a highly respected and reputable business in Junction City.
LaFarris Risby was born in Warren, Arkansas. Tragedy during her childhood dramatically altered her path.
"My mom died when I was about six years old, and I think that changed my life forever... I felt like my mom just deserted me, and I didn't find out until I was about 18 years old that she died so I could live," Risby said.
In her early teens, her life changed course again at age 15 when she became a young mother. A few year later, there was another child and even more spousal abuse. To protect the kids, she left.
"When I got ready, I left my ex-husband in 1994 and came to Kansas," LaFarris said. "I left with $50 in my pocket and my two children. I said, I'm not going back. I'm going to live or die…sink or swim. I'm going to do this."
After arriving in the Sunflower State, her first job didn't go well and a fast food job immediately after wasn't the right fit either. She sat at the kitchen table praying about what to try next.
"I heard God tell me to put a plus sign on a piece of paper and write what you're good at and what you're not good at…I wrote out all the things I enjoyed doing and the one thing that kept coming up was taking care of children," she said.
Before long, Risby started in-home childcare with six kids, and later got licensed for 10. She struggled with the accounting side of the business and thought a degree in early childhood education would help.
"I feel like college teaches you basic business. They teach you how to work for someone else…I got a coach and started building up my program," she said
By 2005, LaFarris bought a building on St. Mary's Road in Junction City. It soon became the home for "Loving Arms Childcare and Preschool". While managing its growth, she hit her stride being around the children and helping parents.
"If parents come in and start asking a lot of questions,I say, 'I can get you all the information you need'," she said. "I enjoy doing it."
After more than a decade of growth and success, LaFarris started pushing her own brand. She could speak to others on grieving the loss of a loved one, getting away from an abusive situation, or starting fresh through entrepreneurship. By writing and processing her own experiences, a book was born.
"For some people it was an eye opener and for others, they were surprised that I was so transparent and honest in the book," Risby said.
The pandemic brought a long thought of idea to life, an online platform called "Loving Arms University" where children, parents, caregivers and educators can access what they need. Her daughter develops the curriculum and her son is leading the way as the company's CEO.
"When COVID started, it was like you know what, I've gotta do something else because I have to pay staff, I have to pay the mortgage, I have to keep the light, water and gas on," LaFarris said.
The latest undertaking is to help those who leave abusive relationships.
"My eventual goal is to have someplace for domestic violence survivors to be able to come to and have four walls and a door," she said. "We have the property,we have a facility, and so right now, we're engaging people about the project.
LaFarris has received numerous national honors for her accomplishments like Top Business Strategist Of The Year and the Life Achievement Award from President Biden, but perhaps her proudest moment professionally was getting the national certification for the early learning center.
"That was very important, more important than all these because it meant that we had a quality of care that was above just going through the state regulations," Risby said.
Her proudest personal achievement is having happy, healthy grandkids.
"You know what I enjoy more than anything these days is spending time with my grandchildren, I absolutely love it," LaFarris said. "I love thinking about how they're the best part of me."
Go to lovingarmsenterprises.com to learn more about LaFarris' Junction City business, speaking engagements and developing collaborations.
If you know a woman we should highlight in this segment, please go to ksnt.com and nominate them there. We feature these honorees, during 27 News, on the last Tuesday of each month.