We recently connected with LaFarris L. Risby, CFLE and have shared our conversation below.
LaFarris L., looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?
I inherited my strong work ethic from my family, where I was taught the importance of giving my best effort in everything I do. The values instilled in me include maintaining high standards and staying true to my morals. Setting clear goals and expectations for myself has been a crucial aspect of my journey. Along the way, I’ve come to realize that everyone has their own unique interpretation of work ethic, as individual perspectives vary.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I’m an overcomer who rose from the depths of abuse to become an entrepreneur and a beacon of hope for others. After enduring years of emotional and physical abuse at the hands of her first husband, I moved to Kansas with nothing more than $50 in my pocket and two young children in tow. With no money, no place to live, and a need to provide my children with a safe, loving, and stable environment, I soon opened a small in-home daycare where I truly began to flourish.
That in-home daycare has since been turned into Loving Arms Childcare and Preschool, the largest commercial childcare facility in my area. My company has also established three additional entities, including Loving Arms University, an online educational platform with resources and tools for educators and parents, MGB, a real estate company that will provide housing for domestic abuse survivors, and my personal brand, LaFarris Risby, which serves as a training and intellectual development company. All four businesses are proud conglomerates of my multi-million dollar company, Loving Arms Enterprises.
As the author of my book “Dare to Dream,” I’ve had the opportunity to be a keynote speaker, and have presented at several conferences and seminars, including Coca-Cola’s Global Supplier Diversity Curriculum, Dare 2 Dream, and Kansas Association for the Education of Young Children.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Early on, I realized I loved working with children and as a teenage mother, I had experience with children who had special needs since my daughter was born early at 1 pound 9 ounces. I was able to leverage my love for children, my special skillset of caring for a preemie, and begin my childcare journey. Parents felt safe leaving their children in my care, knowing they would be lovingly and competently cared for.
I have always been a visionary person and dreamed big dreams. I didn’t let the odds against me defeat my vision. I knew inside there was no stopping me. My belief and persistence paid off as we went from an in-home childcare to Geary County’s largest African-American-owned business, Loving Arms Childcare and Preschool, which encourages healthy growth and development through quality care and education for children ages 6 weeks to 10 years of age. We feature curriculum-based learning programs for all of our children.
I am also a very spiritual person and was trained early on the importance of giving back to your community. Loving Arms Enterprises has been able to accomplish that through supporting families in our community, Through my work as a business strategist and Certified Family Life Educator, I’ve also been able to coach childcare owners into creating successful operations and provide families with quality resources for education and empowerment. As the author of my book, Dare To Dream, I have been able to offer hope and motivate girls and women who may have also been trapped in abusive relationships, that there is a way to find strength and strategies to turn their lives around – and realize their own personal and professional success.
The philosophy that has guided me toward my success is “The decisions you make today will ultimately affect your tomorrow. Right or wrong, good or bad.”
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
LaFarris L. Risby, CFLE would love to speak to and motivate your group – here are just a few of the topics she addresses:
• From Dream to Profit: 5 Steps to Monetizing Your Vision and Taking it from Concept to Profitability
• Creating Your Legacy: Defining Your Legacy, Creating a Strategic Plan to Ensure Your Legacy, and How Your Business Will Succeed Without You
• From Victim to Victor: Recognizing Obstacles and How to Overcome Them While Setting Boundaries
• Re-igniting Your Dreams: Reimagine, Refocus, Renew and Prioritize What Matters Most
Please reach out to LaFarris at info@lovingarmsenterprises.com.
Contact Info:
- Website: lovingarmsenterprises.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lafarrisrisby/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaFarrisRisby
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lafarrisrisby/
Image Credits
Jeff Suggs, Morgan Burks
