Backstory: Katie Felts-Martin

Photo: Katie Felts-Martin

Katie Felts-Martin

Co-Owner
Clean Air Lawn Care
St. Louis

Education

McGavock High School
Nashville, Tenn.
Class of 1992

Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, Ky.
Class of 1997

“I studied broadcast journalism there, and I did some radio play-by-play for women’s basketball games.”

Work Experience

1991-1997
Opryland Hotel
Salesperson
Nashville, Tenn.

“I sold potpourri, worked in their high-end jewelry store and even worked
in the golf shop … here I learned customer service comes first.”

1996-1998
WKRN
Reporter
Nashville, Tenn.

“(As a reporter), I moved around every two years as I climbed market sizes.”

1998-1999
WOWL
Reporter
Florence, Ala.

“They let me fill in for the sports guy. When he left, I went to my general manager and said, ‘Why don’t you give me 90 days as the sports director?’ And that’s how I got my first on-air sports job.”

1999-2002
KFSM
Reporter
Fort Smith, Ark.

2002-2004
WFMY
Reporter
Greensboro, N.C

2004-2015
KSDK
Sports Anchor/Reporter
St. Louis

“I’ve covered two Cardinals World Series—had champagne poured on my head by Albert Pujols. It was almost a 20-year career. It’s been a dream career—I got to do what I really loved, for a long time.”

2015
Osborn Barr
Director of Strategic Content
St. Louis

2015-2017
Full-time mom and volunteer

2017-present
Clean Air Lawn Care
Co-Owner

Did you know?

Photo: Katie Felts-Martin

“I’ve been MVP at the Cardinals’ fantasy baseball camp—the only woman to play. I pitched the ninth, and Hall of Famer Lou Brock came out to give me a pep talk. Sometimes slow and steady pays off … I struck out Larry Walker.”

Photo: Katie Felts-Martin

“I’ve been honored to interview (former) first lady Michelle Obama.”

Photo: Katie Felts-Martin

Martin’s husband, Craig, had a hectic job traveling frequently while running his previous company. “Starting Clean Air was a way to get Craig home.”

Photo: Katie Felts-Martin

With husband, Craig, son, Trevor, 9, and daughter, Izzie, 6. “When we’re visiting my parents in Texas, we’ll hike the Palo Duro Canyon—we just like getting out and about.”

Words of Wisdom

“Your customers are everything, and if you can not only meet their expectations, but exceed them, then you don’t have to worry about cash flow and where that’s going to come from.”

“You have to get OK with being uncomfortable.”

“Everyone has a story to tell. You have to be your own advocate, and you have to be your own best storyteller. That’s just one more way for you to connect with people.”

Photos: Katie Felts-Martin