Brooke Barry’s entrepreneurial journey began with a personal need that transformed into a community-driven business. As a single mom, Brooke was faced with the daunting task of finding trustworthy childcare for her newborn son. At the time, Brooke was in a well-paying union role with Duquesne Light and found a local childcare provider whose service would allow her to continue in her current career. Following an incident with her son’s care, she decided to make the leap to begin operating her own home daycare in 2018, leveraging her background in elementary education from the University of Pittsburgh.
Starting her business, Brooke Barry’s Childcare was not without its challenges. She was surprised that some family and friends were skeptical about her decision to leave a secure job for the uncertainties of entrepreneurship, and she had to work to establish boundaries with clients (who were also friends) as well as balancing her personal life with her professional responsibilities. Despite these hurdles, Brooke continued to grow and adapt, finding ways to manage these dual aspects of her life.
In 2023, Brooke came across a flyer for the Community Power to Prosper program and applied for the program. As a new business owner, the program offered an opportunity to get a full view of the aspects of running a business. Brooke credits the program with helping her understand the many components involved in a business’s success. The program offered her insights into areas of business that were not her expertise, allowing her to seek support and collaborate with fellow entrepreneurs. This experience has been instrumental in helping Brooke achieve a balanced approach to managing her business while providing the care on which she has built her reputation.
Brooke’s business has evolved significantly since its inception. Starting as a single-provider home daycare, she expanded by hiring staff and even ventured into international childcare experiences in Italy and Greece. Her adaptability and willingness to explore new opportunities has led her to provide childcare for events and conferences. She has also completed training to be a community health advocate and now is part of paid research projects addressing maternal and infant health.
Looking ahead, Brooke is ready to take the leap into establishing a brick-and-mortar location for her childcare services. She envisions a space that offers emergency and last-minute childcare, filling a gap she identified in her community. Inspired by organizations like Jeremiah’s Place, Brooke aims to provide services that cater to children of all ages, meeting the diverse needs of families in Pittsburgh.
Brooke encourages other business owners to join programs like the Community Power to Prosper, emphasizing the importance of exploring opportunities even when the benefits are not immediately clear. She believes that these programs offer invaluable insights and resources that can help entrepreneurs grow and succeed.
“When you join this program, you are going to learn things that you didn’t even know existed, and how they can help you with your business.”
Brooke’s entrepreneurial journey is a testament to her confidence and vision. Her story illustrates the power of turning personal challenges into opportunities for community impact, and her ongoing commitment to serving families reflects her deep-rooted passion for early childhood development.
