A chance meeting through the Hoover Elementary PTA about five years ago, while planning holiday shops and classroom parties-sparked a friendship neither of them expected would one day become a business partnership.
But for Ashley Hauck and Jenn Boal, who have spent years serving their community, one concern surfaced repeatedly in their conversations: a lack of childcare options.
“Parents don’t have choices because the waitlists are so long,” owner Ashley Hauck said. “That’s a really challenging and sad thing for people in this community.”
That stark reality inspired their vision for Honey Bee Haven Early Learning. The Montessori-Reggio–inspired, play-based program is designed for children from infancy through pre-K.
The pair signed the lease for their ideal location at 1195 Washington Road in Bridgeville back in July. From there, building the facility and idea from the ground up became a family affair.
Boal’s husband, Ryan, took on the role of general contractor, overseeing construction, while Hauck’s husband, also named Ryan, used his legal expertise to guide security and compliance decisions, helping ensure the space opens as a safe and well-structured environment.
The family-owned passion project has the Hoover community and beyond abuzz, with people eager to help or donate items for the center. The enthusiasm between the two moms is palpable.
“It’s always been about: What can we do to make the community better,” Hauck said.
The early learning center features floor-to-ceiling windows in each of its six classrooms and a sprawling play area with private access. Hauck, a mother of two, has led efforts in aesthetics, branding, and marketing. She previously worked in fundraising for Children’s Hospital.
Meanwhile, Boal, a mother of four, serves on several boards, including as Managing Director for the Seesaw Center, a nonprofit play center for children in Castle Shannon. She is also PTA president at Jefferson Middle School and vice president of the Mt. Lebanon PTA Council.
“Finding a partner that has different strengths than you is what makes a business successful,” Boal said.
Boal, who has more than two decades of experience in education and is no stranger to owning a business, will help mentor the center’s 20 staff members and counting—more than half of whom reside in Mt. Lebanon.
Despite some construction delays and licensing holdups caused by the government shutdown, Boal says the staff has remained eager to begin their work since interviews started back in May.
“They’ve stuck with us because they believe in the vision, and they want to be a part of this, “ Boal said. “They want to see this thing grow.”
Staff members include a mix of seasoned educators and community members who have spent years showing up for local children—one reason the owners plan to offer competitive pay and provide opportunities for further education.
“I would be doing my profession a disservice if I didn’t inspire people to continue on, Boal said. Although it’s not great for the business model, it’s what’s best for the human model.”
Angela Spieler will serve as the center’s director, with Mercedes Duncan as assistant director. Lead teachers Chrissy Daube and Molly Dam live in Mt. Lebanon. Other team members include Caitlin Graham Clark, a former NICU nurse, as well as Lauren Jabara, Marissa Joyce, and Rachel Rezmerski.
The partners are also thrilled about a connection made through Joy Givens, who was leading an English learning group for several local moms from Afghanistan and Pakistan. Falak Nusrat, Fara Khiabani, and Maryam Barakzay will join the team as support staff.
“We want our community to be better. We want our experience to be better. We want families to feel like we are invested in this place,” Boal said. “We want the experience to be so good for them that we can feel proud.”
For parent Sam Gagliardi, returning to the workforce after being a stay-at-home mom has been a challenge.
“Trying to time waitlists with job offers can be even tougher,” Gagliardi said.
Despite delays in the center’s opening, she says the owners have gone above and beyond to ease the transition.
“Luckily, the owners connected our family with one of their teachers who was looking for nanny work, so our son is taken care of. We are eager for him to get to school, but we feel grateful to have our needs met for the time being, as I know not every family can say that.”
The early learning center is expected to open its doors in January, with more than 60 families already enrolled. And the potential for growth arrived sooner than expected: the partners recently signed a lease for a second location on Bower Hill Road.
That site will house Honey Bee Haven Kids, launching with two weeks of winter break camps in late December. Plans are already underway for spring break and summer camps as well. Come fall, the Bower Hill Road location will expand again—this time offering programs for kindergarten through fifth grade.
