In the quiet neighborhoods of Loveland and Maineville, Ohio, Mimi’s House stands as a shining example of excellence in the senior housing industry. These two thriving residential care homes are the passion project of husband-and-wife duo Mark Hutton and Janet Davies. With their shared vision and complementary expertise, they’ve created a haven for seniors that goes beyond the typical offerings found in most assisted living facilities.
Resident to Caregiver Ratio
The success of Mimi’s House is rooted in its personalized approach to care.
At the heart of its operation is a remarkable resident-to-caregiver ratio of 4:1 during the day, ensuring that each resident receives the attention and compassion they deserve. The majority of assisted living facilities and nursing homes across the country have resident-to-staff ratios double or triple that number, often resulting in less tailored and less attentive care.
Mark and Janet’s commitment to providing more caregivers and personalized care allows the staff to form deep, meaningful relationships with residents, fostering a sense of home and belonging. Residents enjoy private luxury suites, home-cooked meals, and regular engaging activities, all within a setting that feels more like a cozy family home than a traditional facility.
The Journey to Opening Mimi’s House
Mark and Janet’s journey to founding and operating Mimi’s House began with their personal encounter with the senior housing market.
Janet was deeply affected by her challenges in finding suitable care for her mother. When she found no acceptable option, she decided to create her own…a place where she could feel comfortable and confident moving a cherished loved one. As an engineer and real estate professional, Mark used his skills to design a space that combines safety, comfort, and a home-like atmosphere. Together, they set out to redefine their community’s assisted living business model by addressing the gaps they observed in traditional facilities.
Mark and Janet have become a powerhouse couple in the residential assisted living world, reshaping senior housing with a personal, heartfelt touch.
Opening a Second Home
Their journey continues to thrive with the opening of Mimi’s House in Maineville, Ohio—their second RAL home in the greater Cincinnati area.
This expansion reflects their commitment to providing more high-quality care options for the seniors in their community and the growing demand for intimate, home-like residential care homes.
Mimi’s House in Maineville exemplifies their vision with 12 private suites, licensed for up to 16 residents. This configuration allows flexibility to accommodate elderly couples or two individuals who wish to share a space.
The home’s design emphasizes comfort and community. Every detail is carefully considered to create a warm, inviting environment.
The dining area, for instance, features a huge dining table not usually found in residential spaces. Here, all the residents can gather for shared meals, fostering a sense of belonging and camaraderie. This simple yet profound detail regularly encourages connection, turning everyday meals into opportunities for building relationships and reducing isolation. Creating engagement and reducing isolation are vital elements that contribute to the health and well-being of seniors.
Creating a Home… Not a Facility
Central to the homey feel of Mimi’s House is the kitchen—a space that reflects the heart of a family.
Unlike the industrial-style kitchens often found in larger assisted living facilities, Mimi’s House boasts a slightly modified residential kitchen. Equipped with two ovens and two large refrigerators, the kitchen supports the residents’ needs while maintaining a familiar, domestic ambiance. The aroma of home-cooked meals fills the air daily, reinforcing the sense of being truly “at home.”
The couple’s ability to scale their vision while retaining personal touches to their homes sets them apart in the assisted living space.
Mimi’s House is not just a place for seniors to live; it’s a nurturing environment where they thrive. Janet’s expertise in geriatric care and Mark’s engineering and real estate development background allows them to merge warmth, care, and functionality seamlessly.
Their homes are a testament to the belief that senior living should prioritize dignity, joy, and connection.
The cost of assisted living at Mimi’s House reflects this high-quality, private-pay model. This model includes comprehensive services tailored to individual needs rather than the one-size-fits-all approach many facilities employ.
Their hands-on approach and unwavering passion have been instrumental in the business’s success. Janet’s expertise in geriatric care, particularly with dementia patients, and Mark’s operational acumen complement each other well.
The couple’s genuine care for their residents resonates through every aspect of their operation, from the inviting kitchen aromas of freshly baked cookies to the beautifully landscaped sprawling grounds and spacious patios where families can gather for meals and celebrations.
Keys to Success
Mark and Janet’s journey offers many helpful and actionable insights for aspiring RAL entrepreneurs.
Start by getting to know state regulations.
For example, they began by confirming their homes would be licensed to the maximum capacity allowed by Ohio laws. Doing this helps ensure profitability and sustainability in a competitive market. After all, it doesn’t matter how incredible your RAL staff and services are if your business can’t stay open long enough for seniors to benefit from it.
When it comes to regulations and procedures, there are so many important elements to consider.
Seek guidance.
Running a successful RAL business requires a great deal of knowledge and resources. This is why seeking guidance from those who have already built what you are trying to build is critical.
Mark and Janet started by seeking counsel from pioneers in the industry. They immersed themselves in the business and process so much that now they help coach others through the same journey.
Focus on creating spaces that blend comfort and practicality.
The shared spaces of Mimi’s house and the surrounding environment foster accessibility, connection, and interaction.
Always prioritize the resident experience.
Make every aspect of the home, from design to daily routines, a reflection of high-quality care and community.
The nation’s seniors deserve our best, and everyone wins when we prioritize them, their health, and their well-being. Seniors thrive, their families are supported and relieved of the burden of 24/7 care, and in the process, our communities are strengthened.
Building trust is essential.
Families want to know their loved ones are in a place where their dignity and well-being are priorities. Far too many have had the unfortunate experience of being “just a number.”
While large, fancy assisted living facilities may have extravagant amenities, treating seniors like just another check every month will affect their physical and mental well-being.
Trust is the key, and entrepreneurs in this business should emphasize transparency in services, pricing, and caregiver qualifications and engagement.
Understand the senior housing market.
With the growing demand for smaller, more personalized residential assisted living homes, this model provides a unique niche compared to larger, impersonal facilities. Assisted living marketing is key in communicating this value to potential residents and their families. Showcasing the intimate, homely feel and high-quality care can set a business apart.
A successful assisted living business requires a balance of passion and strategic planning. Janet and Mark’s dedication to enriching the lives of their residents, combined with their innovative approach to design and care, exemplifies how a vision driven by personal passion can lead to success.
Mimi’s House is more than a residential care facility; it’s a testament to what happens when love, dedication, and expertise come together to meet a vital community need. Entrepreneurs looking to follow in their footsteps should not only study the practicalities of the business but also embrace the heart and humanity that define its success.
RAL Academy Support Team
Mark Hutton and Janet Davies are not only the founders of Mimi’s House but also pivotal figures in the world of residential assisted living education.
Both are esteemed members of the Student Success Support team at the Residential Assisted Living Academy, where they mentor aspiring entrepreneurs on how to create, operate, and expand thriving RAL businesses. Their roles at the academy highlight their passion for sharing knowledge, empowering others, and growing the breadth and impact of high-quality senior care across the nation.
Mark Hutton
Mark’s journey to becoming a mentor began when he earned his RAL Specialist credentials through the academy in 2017. With his background as an engineer and a real estate entrepreneur, Mark brings a unique blend of analytical thinking and hands-on experience to his teaching. His expertise includes deal analysis, residential and commercial property acquisitions, and innovative approaches to raising capital. These skills have been critical not only in building Mimi’s House but also in helping students understand the financial and operational aspects of the assisted living business.
As a mentor, Mark is known for his enthusiasm and generosity in sharing insights. Outside of his professional life, his hobbies—skiing, snowboarding, cars, and motorcycles—reveal his adventurous spirit. Yet, his true joy lies in teaching and mentoring others, particularly in real estate and residential assisted living. His practical advice, combined with his approachable demeanor, makes him a favorite among RAL academy students looking to navigate the complexities of starting a business in this niche.
Janet Davies
Janet, equally dedicated to education, complements Mark’s expertise with her extensive background in healthcare. Holding a Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology, she spent three decades working with geriatric patients suffering from strokes, dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease, and other neurological disorders. Her hands-on experience in providing compassionate care gives her a deep understanding of the needs of seniors and their families.
After earning her RAL Specialist designation in 2017, Janet seamlessly transitioned into her dual role as co-founder and Administrator of Mimi’s House and as a mentor at the RAL Academy. Her focus on the emotional and social aspects of senior care resonates deeply with students, particularly those who are driven by a desire to make a difference. Janet’s passion for creating better living experiences for seniors shines through her teaching, where she emphasizes the importance of empathy, communication, and attention to detail in running a successful residential care facility.
An Inspirational Team
Together, Mark and Janet embody the ideal combination of business acumen and heartfelt dedication. Through their roles at the RAL Academy, they have become a source of inspiration for others looking to enter the field. They provide a roadmap for building a sustainable and impactful assisted living business, offering advice on everything from compliance and assisted living marketing to operational efficiency and fostering a community-driven culture.
Their work at the academy ensures that the legacy of Mimi’s House extends far beyond the greater Cincinnati area, influencing the creation of high-quality residential assisted living homes across the country. For those aspiring to follow in their footsteps, Mark and Janet exemplify how passion, expertise, and a commitment to mentoring can transform not just individual lives, but entire industries.
Learn More about Residential Assisted Living
If you would like to learn more about Mark and Janet and their successful RAL homes, dive into their journey with our RAL Origin Stories and learn about many more RAL students who are making real change in their communities with the RAL model of assisted living.
