Today we’d like to introduce you to Cari Dennis.
Cari, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My husband and I started the business 10 yrs. ago. He was losing his hearing and I needed to go back to work to help support our family. At the time, we had three young sons. We found this company for sale, even though we live in Southlake and the business was located in Weatherford, it was attractive to us because my husband Mark grew up in Weatherford.
We poured all of our savings into the opportunity to make a down payment and was able to borrow the rest. I had 15 years previous experience in mortgage banking but nothing close to running an assisted living facility. Being both scared and excited I jumped into the business! I am the President, CFO, and 51% owner of the company. Mark has given me tremendous confidence and never ending support.
The campus is on 4 acres and has 2 assisted living homes, a single family residence, and two triplexes for independent living. We immediately added on 8 new resident rooms and an activity room to one of the buildings. We recently added 4 resident rooms, an activity center, and a courtyard to the other assisted living home. We have been named “Best Assisted Living in Parker Co.” several times. We also take pride in our community involvement and charity.
Mark had a successful bilateral cochlear implant surgery a few years ago and is now able to hear very well. He is a district manager and mortgage loan officer for Legacy Texas Bank.
We have future plans to build more independent living apartments very soon. Autumn Hill Manor has been a blessing for us. We take great pride in the quality of care that we provide and we love the people and families that we serve!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The greatest challenge of starting and growing this business was gaining the confidence of my team.
They had been working for a very successful business man in his late 50’s.
When he sold the business in walks a young woman with little to no experience and I can only imagine that they were a little frightful!
I was able to gain their trust and we have built a great team. Credit goes to my administrator Gina McBee- she is absolutely amazing!
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Autumn Hill Manor story. Tell us more about the business.
Being a privately owned and operated Assisted Living facility sets us apart from others. It is not a large corporate operation making daily decisions about your loved one’s care from another location in a board room.
We are a small facility with a home-like setting. The maximum capacity is 16 residents in each building.
We have a great location off of South Main which is close to shopping, restaurants, and medical facilities.
All of our meals are “home cooked”. We are known for our quality of care and attention to detail.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
My husband Mark was not lucky to have lost his hearing; however, I believe God led us to this opportunity and we listened.
Contact Info:
- Address: Autumn Hill Manor
202 W. Rentz Street
Weatherford, Texas 76086 - Website: Autumnhillmanor.com
- Phone: 817-596-4159
Image Credit:
ELC Photography
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