Daily Inspiration: Meet Cathy Blatnik

Today we’d like to introduce you to Cathy Blatnik. 

Hi Cathy, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
During the height of the Pandemic, when my son, Dominic was learning virtually for school, his private speech therapist starting working with him on the concept of baking cookies for her and then she would pay him. We had lots of extra time to work on baking skills because virtual learning really wasn’t for Dominic. He had multiple seizures. Dominic had been going to private speech therapy in person but started virtually during the Pandemic. We also increased from one day a week to two of private speech therapy. The more he worked with her, the more I thought to myself, maybe it could become a business. I did a lot of Internet research, especially about a Michigan Cottage Food Business. There are so many rules and regulations that I was very hesitant to pursue it. I took an online free MSU Extension class about the Michigan Cottage Food Law which gave me more confidence to at least try! I’m glad we did. As of this morning, Dominic has done 347 orders! We have learned so much along the way and have had and continue to have incredible community support. Dominic was diagnosed with Autism at 2 1/2, ADHD and Anxiety Disorder at 3 and Complex Partial Epilepsy at 11. He turned 18 at the end of last July. I use his Facebook page to not only talk about the business but also to share what it’s like to have a child with disabilities. So many people have connected to our story. We picked baking for the business because Dominic has always had an interest from a young age. He learned to crack an egg over ten years ago. Dominic’s maternal great-grandfather owned a bakery in Butler, Missouri. I actually have a picture of it!!! 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has been relatively smooth. We did have a pretty big challenge three weeks after we did our first order. My dad who lived back in Maryland unexpectedly passed away on December 17, 2020. We had only did a few orders and then it was Christmas and then it was New Year’s. Because of COVID, we were not able to travel from Michigan to Maryland for his funeral. Definitely one of the worst experiences of my life (I will be 60 in July). We put everything on hold for about a month. 

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Before my daughter was born in 1996, I had worked mainly in Administrative-type positions. I have a B.S. in Business and Management from the University of Maryland – Global Campus. I have not worked a full-time job since she was born. I like to call myself a professional “volunteer.” I was the PTO President at her school, on the Education Board at church, room mom, etc. When Dominic was born in 2004, my life moved in a totally different direction, especially when he was diagnosed with Autism at 2 1/2. I am the current Treasurer of the Mid-Michigan Autism Association (I have been on the Board for eight years). I am also the Coordinator of Special Needs Ministry in the Diocese of Lansing, the Programming Chair of the Michigan Alliance for Cultural Accessibility, the Program Director of a non-denominational and ecumenical disability ministry, on the Sensory Friendly Performances Advisory Team for the Wharton Center, a member of the Autism Advisory Group for the Henry Ford Museum, a member of the Greater Lansing Convention and Visitors Bureau’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, co-founder of the Greater Lansing Developmental Disability Advocacy Collaborative, a member of the Special Education Parent Advisory Committee for the Ingham Intermediate School District representing the Okemos School District and a Certified Tourism Ambassador for the Greater Lansing Convention and Visitors Bureau. What’s interesting, is all but a few of the groups I am part of basically fell into my lap! 

We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
To me, success is using my life experiences to help others. 

Contact Info:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063913788968