From Risk to Reinvention: Alicia McElroy Collins’ Vision Behind K9 Activity Club

From a Family Dream to a Community Anchor: An Interview with Cary Rich of Rise and Shine Child Care

Starting a business is rarely a straight line—but for Josiah and Cary Rich, the journey of building Rise and Shine Child Care has been shaped by family, faith, resilience, and a deep commitment to children. What began as a simple idea to support a growing family has evolved into a multi-center child care operation serving some of the most vulnerable age groups in Sonoma County and beyond.In this interview, Cary reflects on the origins of Rise and Shine Child Care, the unexpected turns that guided its growth, and the vision that continues to shape its future.A Simple Question That Sparked It AllRise and Shine Child Care, formerly Rich Family Daycare Home, was born not from a business plan, but from necessity. Cary recalls a time when she and her husband were young parents with three small children. Her husband, Josiah, was in seminary school, working nights, while Cary stayed home caring for their babies.“He had come home one day and said, ‘What do you think about starting daycare?’”The idea seemed surprising at first, but it made sense. Both Cary and Josiah had early experience working in family child care as teenagers. With a growing family and limited income, they needed something sustainable—something that allowed them to stay together while earning a living.“And that’s how it started,” Cary explains.What followed was a decision that would define decades of their lives.Growing Through Education and ExperienceAs the family child care began to take shape, Cary made a strategic move to support the business long-term. She enrolled in early childhood development courses, initially to improve the marketability of their program.That education became the foundation for steady growth. The family moved from a small home in Fulton, California, to Santa Rosa, expanding their licensed capacity from six children to twelve.“It’s by the grace of God that we were very successful,” Cary says. “Families loved us.”During this period, Cary and Josiah also grew their own family—from three children to six—while continuing to care for other families’ children full time. Homeschooling, Preschool, and an Unexpected ExpansionOne pivotal turning point came when one of their children developed serious medical challenges. With older kids bringing home illnesses from school, Cary and Josiah made the difficult decision to homeschool.This choice, made in 1992—long before homeschooling was mainstream—sparked another evolution in the business.“Our clients were like, ‘You’re homeschooling? We would like to keep our kids with you if you could start a preschool.’”Soon, parents were asking for kindergarten. Then more. Over time, Rise and Shine, previously Rich Family Daycare Home, transitioned into something unique: a private school structure operating under a daycare license, serving children from infancy through high school.“We were basically homeschooling other people’s children,” Cary explains.They filed private school affidavits with the state of California and operated legally for years, becoming what Cary describes as “second parents” to many children. More Than Child Care: Stories That Last a LifetimeThe impact of Rise and Shine extended far beyond education. Cary shares one story that still stands out—a 16-year-old mother whose infant stayed with them for months due to unstable circumstances.“Years later, she called us to thank us for those early years of support,” Cary says. “She was married, had two more kids, and was doing really well.”Stories like this weren’t rare. Many families relied on Rise and Shine during their most challenging seasons, trusting Cary and her husband with their children far beyond normal hours.Adapting to Economic ChangeWhen the economy crashed in 2008, private schooling became less feasible for many families. In response, Rise and Shine returned to its roots—focusing on licensed family child care for infants through kindergarten.It was a practical shift, but one that kept the business stable during uncertain times.What no one could predict was what would come next. Losing Everything—and Rebuilding StrongerIn 2017, devastating wildfires swept through the region, destroying Josiah and Cary’s home—and with it, their business.“That was our only source of income,” Cary says.Rather than waiting for direction, Cary became the first child care provider to contact licensing authorities to ask what steps to take. Her proactive approach led to statewide policy discussions, and her experience became a model for handling future disasters affecting child care providers.She was invited to meet with state leaders, including Speaker Nancy Pelosi, to discuss how emergencies uniquely impact family child care.Through grants, waivers, and temporary relocations, Rise and Shine reopened—first in another licensed home, then in a church, and eventually as a fully licensed child care center. The Rise of Rise and Shine Child Care CentersIn April 2018, Rise and Shine Child Care Center officially opened its doors. Though intended to be temporary, the location served families for over two years as Cary navigated zoning challenges and facility shortages.By 2019, they secured a permanent lease. In August 2020, the first permanent center opened—followed by a second in October 2022.Most recently, Rise and Shine expanded again, opening a third center in Rohnert Park in July 2025.Each center focuses exclusively on infants under the age of two, addressing one of the most critical gaps in child care availability.Expanding Services to Support FamiliesGrowth hasn’t just been about locations. Rise and Shine has expanded its services to better support families, including:In-house subsidiesDiapers and wipesNutritious meals and food programsThese additions reflect Josiah and Cary’s understanding of the real challenges parents face—especially working families with infants.Marketing Through Trust and VisibilityIn the early years, Rise and Shine, formerly Rich Family Daycare Home, relied entirely on word of mouth. Today, the organization maintains a strong digital presence.They’re active on Facebook and Instagram, have begun exploring TikTok, and maintain a robust website that’s become a teaching tool in the child development community.“Our website is actually used as a model,” Cary shares. “Santa Rosa Junior College and Sonoma State use it to show other child care businesses what their website should look like.”It’s a testament to how far the business has come—from a home-based daycare to a regional example of best practices. Looking Ahead: 2026 and BeyondAll three Rise and Shine centers currently serve infants, but families continue to ask about preschool options.“There are a lot of preschools in Sonoma County,” Cary explains. “But the economy is changing.”With many preschools closing, Josiah and Cary see a potential opportunity to expand into preschool education—creating a natural progression for children already enrolled as infants.Still, after years of rapid growth, Cary is thoughtful about what comes next.“I kind of hope to level off,” she says. “Keep the three centers, with the potential of adding a preschool.”Then she adds, with a smile, “Our business always seems to have a life of its own.”A Legacy Built on Open DoorsRise and Shine Child Care is more than a business—it’s a reflection of Josiah and Cary Rich’s life, values, and unwavering commitment to children and families.From a young family seeking stability, to a trusted community institution shaped by resilience and compassion, the story of Rise and Shine is proof that sometimes the most impactful journeys begin with a simple question—and the courage to say yes.As Cary puts it best, “As long as the doors are open, we’ll keep walking through them.”You can visit Rise and Shine's website at https://riseandshinesoco.com/