Joie Ferrera - “From Working Hard to Playing Hard” [Tammy Blossom

From working hard to playing hard

by J1 Reporter Joie Ferrara

“You look really young to be working here.” This comment was all too familiar for seventh grader Tammy Harrison working at her father’s restaurant, Don’s DriveIn, in Silver Lake, Kan. Working for her father at such a young age taught her how to have a good work ethic with his high expectations.

She was taught how to balance her school and social life while having a job at a young age. By the time she was in eighth grade, she was already hiring staff to work at the diner.

The most important thing that her father taught her was to work hard, but Sundays were for rest and family time. This balance has shaped all that she does in her work and family life. “Nothing was ever handed to me, I always had to work for it and do my best.”

Blossom went on to get a degree in political science and communication from the University of Kansas and a master’s of business administration and her masters of public administration from Columbia University in New York City. During her college studies she married her husband, Andrew Blossom. After traveling to various cities such as New York, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, Kansas City, and Omaha, the Blossoms finally settled in Kansas City to raise their two boys, Skylar and Cameron. Between working and traveling up to 70 hours a week, hiring a full-time nanny to take care of the boys, and her husband traveling 70 percent of the time, she struggled to maintain a good worklife balance. “I never made dinner for the boys and only saw them on weekends.” Blossom knew she needed a change in order to become a great mom while maintaining a good work balance. After having her youngest child, Jackie, they packed up their family and moved to Omaha, Neb. Blossom quit working full time and volunteered for her parish and kid’s school at St. Vincent de Paul to help raise money.

Moving to Omaha with a new baby taught her how to balance using her skills as a volunteer and being a great mom. “I learned to really love being a mom and supporting my kids in books, sports, and their activities,” said Blossom. She was always told to enjoy these years because they fly by so fast. Moving to Omaha was the change she needed to help her family grow closer together.

As her kids got older, she found herself spending her days raising money to support charities that she firmly believes in.

By staying active and using her skills in fundraising, managing projects, and serving on boards, she stayed engaged in her career. Cutting back on her work hours and spending more time with her family presented her with a once-in-a-lifetime experience. She found herself working in the movie industry to help raise money to create an upcoming movie focusing on a Nebraska story that shines a positive light on the state that she grew her family in.

This movie is unique to Blossom because the writer shares the same values that she believes in: working hard and playing hard to enjoy life, and the writer also happens to be a 1983 Marian alum.

Through this experience, she has met many producers and actors that align with her values and strong work ethic. Blossom says, “I never thought I’d produce a movie, but I’ve learned that my skills in raising money can really be applied to any industry.”

Blossom shows that maintaining a good work-life balance isn't something that is handed to you; it is something that takes trial and error. From working hard to playing hard, Blossom achieved the lifestyle that she has always wanted.

“Nothing was ever handed to me, I always had to work for it and do my best.” -Tammy Blossom

Tammy Blossom, 2021

Skylar, Andrew, Tammy, Jackie, and Cameron Blossom at the 2021 Aksarben Ball.