Today we’d like to introduce you to Kathy Blattel.
Hi Kathy, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
In 1981 my mother, Mary Ann Huber opened Twin Oaks Estate an assisted living facility in O’Fallon, MO. As a sophomore in high school, I worked there part time. When needing help with the lawns and maintenance, she asked me if I knew anyone who could cut grass. I mentioned I was dating this guy, Tim Blattel at the time, and he might want some extra hours. He was hired on the spot in July of 1981, and the story began.
Tim loved working with seniors, and he and Mom hit it off immediately. I pursued my dream of opening a dance studio while he studied business administration and also got his administrator’s license.
Fast forward a few years, we were married, he was CEO, we had five children, and Mom retired and lived at the place she had built years before.
Fast forward a few more years and now our children, Tim Jr, Justin, Ashley, Kaitlin and TJ all have worked or are currently working at the company. It’s an amazing life!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Definitely not always easy but worth it. In 2006, we began planning a new community in Wentzville along with several affordable senior housing options. During those years, my older kids were in high school & college, and I was pregnant with my youngest. Beginning my journey as a developer while simultaneously starting motherhood all over again was a challenge, but I wouldn’t change a thing. Keeping me sane in all this was my extracurricular fun of coaching cheerleading and choreographing musicals. Nothing like staying busy!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
The work I do is the management, marketing, and financial pieces of owning and operating senior facilities in St Charles County, known as Twin Oaks Senior Living.
We are known for being family-owned and operated as well as the longevity of our company. I’m most proud of and what sets us apart from others is our staff, residents and families. Most have been with us for years, and as cliché as it sounds, we are like family. Our work is their home, and we live each day experiencing fun, joy, memories, and sometimes grief, but we are here to see each other through it.
Some other things that I am personally proud of is how I am blessed to be able to join my worlds together. While I volunteer a lot at St Dominic High School, the students volunteer here as well. We have had so many wonderful parties, concerts, and recently, a full-blown musical Singin’ In The Rain starring our residents. The St Dominic students helped me with the show, and in return, the Twin Oaks Seniors go to the St Dominic shows as much as they can. It’s just a wonderful opportunity to be able to share my worlds with one another.
What makes you happy?
Of course, the first answer is my amazing family, 5 kids, 4 in-laws, and 10 phenomenal grandchildren! They light up my world every single day, and my heart bursts thinking about every one of them! I am just so proud of who they are and how they share their talents & love with the rest of the world.
I am happiest and most fulfilled when I am teaching and coaching kids (and now adults). My joy comes from helping them find the talent they possess, nurturing it, and then, amazing things just happen. First, it was at my dance studio Dance Unlimited/K-J’s Dance & Gymnastics, at St Dominic High School, it was coaching cheer, and most recently, choreographing musicals! Nothing in the world can describe the feeling I have when I am part of making a student feel proud of what they didn’t think they could accomplish or the look in their eyes when they just know I am so proud of them! So, dance, tumbling, theater, cheer…all creative things make me happy!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://twinoaksseniorliving.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/twinoaksseniorliving/
- Twitter: https://x.com/OaksLiving
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@twinoaksseniorliving228
