Doing What You Love: How Joanne McMahon Built Busy Bees and Found Joy in the Process
For Joanne McMahon, Busy Bees Early Childhood Learning isn’t just a business. It’s the heart of a lifelong passion for nurturing young minds, empowering families, and spreading joy through education. Based in the Flagstaff Region, Joanne has spent over 30 years serving her community as an early childhood educator, curriculum developer, and enthusiastic champion for rural families. Her story shows how choosing work that brings you joy can transform not only your career, but your entire well-being.
“Every time I shut down the screen, I have a smile on my face. I absolutely love it.”
Joanne McMahon
Rooted in Flagstaff, Inspired by Connection
Joanne calls rural Alberta home, and she’s proud to live and work in the Flagstaff Region. Her deep roots in the community and her understanding of rural life are woven into every part of Busy Bees Early Childhood Learning. She knows what it means to juggle farm chores, school readiness, and limited access to programming. That’s why she’s made it her mission to deliver meaningful early childhood learning directly into homes, whether that’s in Hardisty, Medicine Hat, or one day, across all of Canada.
Passion Meets Purpose
Busy Bees Early Childhood Learning began during the pandemic, when Joanne found herself asking, “What now?” Rather than press pause, she pivoted. Using her signature enthusiasm and decades of experience, she brought her literacy and play-based programs online. The result? An engaging virtual classroom where kids thrive and parents learn right alongside them.
Joanne doesn’t just teach the ABCs. She teaches why the ABCs matter, how to build fine motor skills through play, and how simple acts like naming a wrist or reading for 15 minutes can shape a child’s future.
The Mental Health Power of Doing What You Love
There’s a glow about Joanne when she talks about her work. Every class, every message from a parent, every “Joanne said…” moment from a child fills her with energy. Her work doesn’t just support others, it fuels her own joy and mental wellness. She finishes each session with a smile, knowing she’s making a difference.
That’s the power of doing what you love. When your work aligns with your passion, it doesn’t wear you down. It builds you up.
From Idea to Action
Like many entrepreneurs, Joanne was confident in her skills but unsure how to turn them into a business. From pricing her services to opening a business account, the logistics felt daunting. But with the support of Flagstaff County’s Entrepreneur Empowerment Program and Business Mastermind, she found the guidance and encouragement she needed.
Surrounded by fellow small business owners and mentors like Shirley from HOM of Well Being, Joanne gained clarity and confidence. These local resources gave her the tools to launch Busy Bees and the belief that her dream could grow even bigger.
“I can teach all day long, I just didn’t know the business end. But thanks to the support from Flagstaff County, I figured it out.”
Joanne McMahon
A Big Vision for Rural Canada
Joanne’s dream doesn’t stop in Flagstaff. She envisions Busy Bees Early Childhood Learning as a national resource, connecting moms in rural Newfoundland, grandmas in Sherwood Park, and families everywhere in between. From virtual sessions to curated activity boxes and prerecorded lesson bundles, Joanne is building a platform to support early learning from coast to coast.
And what drives her is simple: helping families feel connected, confident, and joyful in those all-important early years.
What Joanne’s Story Teaches Us
At Flagstaff Crafted, we believe in people like Joanne, passionate entrepreneurs who turn what they love into something that helps others. Her story is proof that with heart, support, and a little rural grit, anything is possible.
If you’ve been dreaming about starting something meaningful, let this be your sign. Reach out. Use the resources around you. Say yes to the spark inside you. Because when you do what you love, it doesn’t just build a business, it builds a life.
Listen now: The Busy Bees Early Childhood Learning Story
Whether you’re a parent, educator, or someone dreaming of starting your own business, Joanne’s story is a beautiful reminder of what’s possible when you follow your passion.
Follow Joanne at @busybeesearlychildhoodlearning
Discover more about Flagstaff Crafted and how we support local entrepreneurs at flagstaffcrafted.ca