When Keith Maddin found herself newly divorced six years ago, she was faced with both a need and an opportunity. “I needed to find a way to make money,” says the native Nashvillian, a mom of three and grandmother of four. What unfolded was an organic chain of events that ultimately revealed so many beautiful and serendipitous moments that she wouldn’t change a thing.
Here, she shares her inspiring story of fresh starts, a thankful heart, and how she became the owner of Firefly Forts, Nashville. Meet our newest FACE of Nashville, Keith Maddin.
Did you grow up in Nashville?
Yes, I grew up in Hillwood, graduated from Harpeth Hall and then Mississippi State, where I majored in business. I returned to Nashville and took a job as a stock options trader at J.C. Bradford, where I worked for 13 years. After J.C. Bradford, I became an in-house travel agent for HCA, a job I treasure because of the lifelong friendships I made there. As I began having children, I worked less until eventually deciding to become a full-time stay-at-home mom.
How did you start renovating homes?
I bought my house in Cherokee Park, which needed quite a bit of work. As I was remodeling, I was trying to decide what was next for me. Besides walking dogs, I began managing a few families’ homes when they were away. As I was doing that, if things broke or needed repair or maintenance, I was able to manage that because of the relationships I’d built during my own renovation.
I have developed friendships with subcontractors in every profession — plumbers, electricians, brickwork, painters, you name it. So it just organically became a business — it’s called BK Management. BK because everyone calls me “Big Keith,” and I have a niece named after me — she’s “Little Keith.” All my work has been by word-of-mouth referrals, and I’ve been quite successful.
So, how did you come to own Firefly Forts?
Last summer, the opportunity fell in my lap. I had a client show me an article in Southern Living about this family in Atlanta who started a tree fort business during the pandemic. She asked, “Could your guys build one like this?” I went home and read the article, and it resonated with me that this is what I want to do … I want to do this!
The next day, I called the owners, Mike and Kristin Scaglione, and asked, “Have you ever thought about expanding Firefly Forts to the Nashville area?” They had already built some forts here but found building that far from Georgia was hard on their family. I told them, “You need me! I’m already plugged into this world; I’m a native Nashvillian, and I know lots of people!” It seemed like a natural fit.
How many different tree fort designs do you have?
We have blueprints for three different designs. The thing about the floorplans is that most people stick with around 80% of the plan they choose. The other 20% is where their creativity comes in. They decide if they want to have a deck on the side where they can put a dining room table, or they want to have a swing arm, or they want to have a rope swing, or they want to have a zip line or a climbing wall or a deck all the way around the fort or a hammock underneath. The sky’s the limit!
Why tree forts?
It started during the pandemic when we were all stuck at home, and people started getting outside more. I was doing chalk art myself, and we were having happy hours in everyone’s driveways, and people were outdoors. Tree forts are so great for every age. If you build one big enough and all your kids are going crazy inside, send them outside to the tree fort. Or take your girlfriends outside and hang out in the tree fort and have happy hour or play Mahjongg.
How did you know you were on the right path?
I just think that the way it all happened was serendipitous. The fact that I had a client who introduced me to Firefly Forts — I would have never known about it had she not shown me the article. And the fact that I called them, and they immediately wanted to talk about it happening … It was just meant to be.
What’s the best piece of advice you can offer?
Learn to say “yes” and “thank you.” It’s so hard to accept help and say “yes” to being helped. I’m hard-headed and had to learn to say “Yes, thank you.”
Name three things you can’t live without.
- My sisters and “Call Girls.” I found out I had cancer during the pandemic, which required chemo and radiation. At that time, I was also caring for our mother. My sisters took turns coming into town every few weeks to help with Mom and me. I have a group of five friends I named my “Call Girls.” Each friend took a day of the week and was available to take me to doctors’ appointments and just make sure I had what I needed. I can never repay them or my sisters.
- My older sister’s husband, Ben. He is probably my biggest cheerleader.
- I’ve always loved my church, Westminster Presbyterian. While I was fighting cancer, a large group of church friends took turns walking my dogs every day. If you know me at all, you know I’m a huge animal lover, so knowing my dogs were cared for was such a blessing.
LIGHTNING ROUND!
Favorite place to dine out? Answer. I went there last night with five girlfriends. We went at 4:30 p.m., and we were home by 7 p.m., and we were so happy. The food is wonderful, and the prickly pear margaritas are very tasty!
Favorite local events or places in town? I love to go to Cheekwood’s events. Whenever my grandchildren are in town, we try to visit Cheekwood. The Nashville Zoo is a special place. My mother and I used to go all the time. And I love to go to the Dyer Observatory for Bluebird on the Mountain.
Favorite stores? I really love Aaron (Mansor) at Gus Mayer. And Val Cole and Michelle Clark are my heroes.
Any final thoughts? I didn’t know I’d be recreating myself at this age, but I have so much to be thankful for. I have my health and a job, and I’m doing what I love!
To learn more about Firefly Forts, visit fireflyfortsnashville.com or visit them on Instagram.Â
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