There were some harrowing days after Cindi Ryerson sold everything she had, down to her home and retirement accounts, to start an adult day care business in Bonita Springs in 2000.

Her husband recently had died, and she had no credit history. Banks understand bottom lines, and Ryerson admits it took her some time to learn to translate "billable hours" to a profit.About the time she started to figure that out and the Millenium House started turning a profit, Ryerson said, last year's hurricanes scared off a big piece of her business. The business survived that, and in December 2004 turned its first profit. On Friday, Ryerson and Millenium House, located in Springs Plaza, were named the Small Business of the Year for 2005 by the Bonita Springs Chamber of Commerce.

"It was a time when I had to do something that was in my heart," said Ryerson of that 2000 decision. "I poured all my energy into having some place small enough where we could give a lot of love and nurturing to the elderly."

Ryerson worked for several years for a large home health company and wanted a more hands-on place that families who care for loved ones in their homes can trust. She said there's one other adult day care in Collier County, and her closest competition in Lee County is in Fort Myers. Clients, typically older adults with a physical or mental disability, come from San Carlos Park to North Naples. She has 52 of them now.

Chamber board chairman Ray Faubion said testimonials from clients and families told the story.

"A blessing to the community," Faubion quoted. "A second safe home."

Arlene Ranlow, Ryerson's mother who helped paint and wallpaper the business at age 78 when it opened, said she could tell it was something her daughter really wanted.

"I think my husband panicked more than I did," she said of her daughter's decision to put everything she had into an untried endeavor. "I knew in my heart it was what she wanted."

The business started with two employees and two clients. There are now 11 employees caring for 52 clients.

"The other day we were at Millenium House and she said, 'I'm happy here,'" Ranlow said. "This makes me happy."

Other nominations for the small business of the year were the Bonita Estero Dental Group, Carla Bonten Realty and DuFrane Jewelers.