Why I Started Rise Centered

I didn’t set out to start a company.

I just wanted to leave my phone in another room.

My husband had always used a sunrise alarm clock and I noticed how much easier it was to start the day that way. I wanted something similar — a way to wake up gently, without screens, or notifications. But every clock I tried left me disappointed or frustrated. They took an hour to connect to wifi, you needed to download an app to change the time, had to pay a monthly subscription, or just looked like plastic junk I didn’t want on my bedside table.

Then one day I looked at the pink Himalayan salt lamp on my nightstand and thought, wouldn't it be cool if that was a sunrise alarm clock?

That simple idea turned into a three year journey. I drained my savings, flew to Hong Kong three times, and went through well over a dozen prototypes. 

I launched on Kickstarter in 2023 to prove the concept and the response was overwhelming. People were craving the same thing I was: a slower, more intentional start to the day.

Rise Centered was born out of that need. Our clocks are crafted from natural materials like Himalayan salt, wood, and fabric. They are designed to be calming, grounding, and beautiful. They don’t have apps or subscriptions. They just do one thing well: help you start your morning with more intention.

Because wellness isn’t about discipline.

It’s about creating systems that make intentional living easier.

Emily Byrne
Founder