Busy Bees isn’t your average babysitting service. Built on intention, trust, and genuine connection, this fast-growing childcare network is changing the way families find care—and how caregivers find purpose. At the center of it are founders Amanda and Katrina whose shared vision of thoughtful, relationship-based childcare has quietly sparked a movement. What began as a few local babysitting connections in Phoenix has evolved into a trusted platform serving thousands of families across multiple cities.
Before Busy Bees, Amanda, who was born and raised in Arcadia, was already a connector. Through her years mentoring high school students in Arcadia Young Life, she found herself naturally matching young sitters with friends and families in need of childcare.
Meanwhile, Katrina was nannying for a high-profile family while pursuing her graduate degree in Business Leadership. When her cousin—one of Amanda’s first Bees sitters—suggested they meet, something just clicked.
“We were wired the same way,” Amanda recalls. “Relationship-driven, service-minded, and ready to build something that actually helped people.”
Their first real highlight came on May 13, the day they launched their online booking platform with a small, fiesta-themed event for local Arcadia friends and family. A year later, the team hosted their first "Bee-day" celebration—and realized the launch date was also Katrina’s birthday. A simple coincidence? Maybe. But for Amanda and Katrina, it felt like confirmation that they were building something together and meant to last.
“A process that began with Excel spreadsheets, group texts, and manual payments eventually evolved into a custom app that now supports thousands of bookings each week,” says Katrina.
Every part of Busy Bees' journey has been about thoughtful growth—never chasing trends or cutting corners, but instead, listening sincerely to the needs of the families, Bees and the entire network.
Today, Busy Bees partners with over 3,000 sitters across three states and supports more than 1,500 families every week. In a country where the average family spends upwards of $10,000 annually on childcare—and nearly half still struggle to find dependable help when they need it—Busy Bees has quickly become a trusted solution.
“Even in the earliest days, it was never just about growth. At every step, we prioritized safety, fun, and meaningful connections,” Amanda says.
From the start, safety, character, and compatibility have been non-negotiables. Every Bee must pass a background check, complete CPR certification, and be personally interviewed. Most are referred through trusted community connections, and families must also provide references or referrals to join. No one can simply "sign up."
The result? A community of Bees and families who trust each other. And that trust has ripple effects.
One mother, recently widowed, shared how having consistent, kind male Bees in her home helped her sons through a season of grief. Others have shared stories of Bees who became like family, invited to graduations, holidays and birthdays. In some cases, Hive kids have served as flower girls or ring bearers in their Bees’ weddings. And then there are the full-circle moments—like the 16-year-old who recently applied to become a Bee, explaining, “Busy Bees used to babysit me.”
“Her choice to say ‘Busy Bee’ rather than ‘babysitter’ showed she saw being a Bee as something more—and she wanted to step into that same legacy herself,” says Katrina.
Amanda and Katrina didn’t set out to build a childcare empire. They set out to serve their community. That mindset continues to shape every decision.
Amanda, now a mom herself, has navigated the same challenges many of her clients experience. She’s even booked Bees for her own daughter, underscoring her belief in the platform’s quality and safety.
Reflecting on their journey, the founders emphasize the value of staying anchored to your “why.”
“There will always be challenges, but if you’re rooted in purpose—if you know who you’re serving and why—you’ll find your way forward,” says Katrina.
They also credit their growth to being willing to learn on the go. As one mentor told them early on: “Make ten decisions. Eight might be wrong. Keep moving.”
As for what’s next… the “Hive” is expanding. After launching successfully in Phoenix, San Diego, and Boise, Busy Bees is preparing to open its fourth and fifth markets. Long term, Amanda and Katrina envision reaching 10 to 15 carefully selected cities—places where connection-driven childcare can take root and flourish.
“We want to be the trusted service parents just know—one they’re proud of and consider part of their extended family,” says Amanda.
busybeesbabysitting.com
“A process that began with spreadsheets, group texts, and manual payments eventually evolved into a custom app that now supports thousands of bookings each week."