Dedication to children inspires educator to open learning center

Elizabeth Hogue works with the children at Start Smart Learning Center. Photo: Provided.

Working with children has always been a passion for Elizabeth Hogue, who knew early on that she wanted to pursue a career in education. After graduating from Mount Aloysius College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood/Elementary Education and English, the Gallitzin resident worked for seven years with both children and adults with developmental disabilities.

“Children have always been a part of my life—both professionally and through my volunteer work on missions where I have had the opportunity to work with children of varied ethnicities and disabilities,” said the mother of four.

It Takes a Village

Hogue said she made the decision to open the Start Smart Learning Center in 2019 when she saw a Gallitzin daycare center go up for sale. “My family was growing and I felt as if I needed a change, so I decided to purchase the center,” said Hogue, adding that several organizations helped the enthusiastic entrepreneur take the right steps toward running her own business. “First, I was referred to St. Francis University Small Business Development Center (SBDC) by First National Bank. Jeff Boldizar’s team at SBDC referred me to Startup Alleghenies coach Blake Fleegle and Johnstown Area Regional Industries (JARI),” said Hogue. She said that with collaborative help from Startup Alleghenies, JARI and St. Francis SBDC, she had help writing her business plan, formed an LLC through her attorney, and got guidance every step of the way as she started her business and purchased a building.

Why Parents Choose Start Smart

After opening in 2019, Hogue’s business grew quickly. Today she has 13 employees who serve children as young as six weeks up to school age.

According to Hogue, what sets her business apart from others is what she calls a ‘person-centered approach.’ “My amazing team members understand the importance of meeting families and children where they are. They realize how vital it is to know each of them at a personal level and treat them and their family members like one of ours,” she said.

Embracing the Entrepreneurial Path

Hogue said that the choice to run Start Smart is one she made when she thought of her own family. “I needed to do something that allowed me to be the best mom I could be, while bringing in an income,” said Hogue, adding that she always had a desire to serve her community as well.

Hogue said that she learned the importance of relinquishing the reins and allowing the experts at Startup Alleghenies to guide her early on. “I doubted myself and my decisions so many times, but Blake Fleegle, along with Michele Clapper and Lauren Thompson at JARI helped push me to believe in myself. Now I see that failure is not an option and I will do anything to be able to continue to support the kids and families in our care,” she said.

In fact, Hogue’s number one bit of advice for entrepreneurs is to set aside pride long enough to ask for assistance. “I have always been such an independent person and therefore it was difficult to ask anyone to help me, but once I took a step back and realized that I was helping myself AND being independent by asking for help, I knew I could do it and I knew I was making the right choice,” she said, adding that all of the collective resources at SBDC, JARI and Startup Alleghenies didn’t do the work for her, but instead empowered her and educated her.

Fleegle agrees that Startup Alleghenies’s goals are to empower, rather than to handhold. “We exist to educate and empower, so that, in the end, our clients, who may have been wobbly when it came to believing in themselves, are later transformed into confident and successful business people, which Hogue now is,” he said.

“I doubted myself and my decisions so many times, but Blake Fleegle, along with Michele Clapper and Lauren Thompson at JARI helped push me to believe in myself. Now I see that failure is not an option and I will do anything to be able to continue to support the kids and families in our care.” 

Another thing Hogue said she is thankful for is her community in the Allegheny region. “We’ve had so many amazing families walk through our doors and help us grow and develop in the most positive way,” said Hogue.

Reaching for the Stars

Hogue is also proud of her ‘Star 4’ designation, explaining that Keystone STARS (Standards, Training/Professional Development, Assistance, Resources and Supports) is a rating system that promotes quality improvement in early learning, development programs and school-age child care. “A Keystone STARS designation informs parents that their children are in a safe, respectful environment in which they are learning new things every day to support their current and future successes in school and in life,” said Hogue, adding that Start Smart Learning Center earned a ‘Star 2’ Designation the first year and a ‘Star 4’ designation in 2021.

Now, as she looks to the future, she is setting goals to keep those four stars, which denote outstanding quality in management, leadership, staff education, learning environment and family/community partnerships. And judging by her waitlist that extends into 2024, people are taking notice.

“Our Allegheny community is wonderful and every child, employee and family member brings something unique to the table. The goal of the Start Smart Learning Center is to embrace that. In fact, we all will continue to strive to be the best we can be for all these tiny humans and their families who have entrusted us with their care,” she said, with a smile.

Startup Alleghenies helps startup and emerging small businesses succeed by providing free coaching to entrepreneurs in Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Fulton, Huntingdon and Somerset counties. To access personal, one-on-one support from a coach in your county, including guidance, resources, tools and networking opportunities, sign up at startupalleghenies.com.