We’re looking forward to introducing you to Ashley Key & Travis Key. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Ashley & Travis , thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
Integrity, with out hesitation.
Energy can be managed or supplemented. You can rest, refocus, reset, change your diets or habits and even delegate if needed.
Intelligence can be developed. We’re all capable of learning, growing, and evolving with time. With hard work and focus intelligence can be improved.
But integrity? That’s the foundation.
It’s who you are when no one is watching.
It’s the standard you set, the trust you earn, the kind of business you run, and the values you live by — day in and day out.
Without integrity, intelligence and energy can be used in all the wrong ways.
With integrity, even your imperfections become strengths because people know they can count on you to be honest, fair, and committed to doing what’s right. They know you will own mistakes and find solutions.
And that’s the kind of people we strive to be — in life, in business, and in every relationship we build.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi! I’m Ashley Key, and alongside my husband Travis, we own and operate Key Living Homes — your key team for building custom homes and all things real estate.
We’re a husband-and-wife duo with deep roots in Lincoln County, where we’re not only building homes and helping families through real estate — we’re also raising our three daughters and homeschooling them. We believe in doing things the right way, even when it takes more time, more intention, and more heart.
Our business is powered by Fox & Riley Real Estate, and what sets us apart is how we blend custom home building and real estate services under one roof, guided by integrity, quality, and a deeply personal approach. We don’t just hand over keys — we educate, advocate, and walk alongside our clients from start to finish.
Travis studied architecture at Drury University in Springfield, MO and has worked in construction for over two decades.
I’ve spent my career in the corporate world where I was a market manager of operations for a major wireless company my territory spanned two states, a desire to be closer to home and a passion for Real estate brought me to
Property management and later, a wonderful career and real estate.
Together, we built Key Living Homes to be the kind of company we would want to work with — one that values clear communication, craftsmanship, and strong relationships.
We’re not focused on being the biggest — we’re focused on being the best. We’ve grown a referral-based business by putting people first, and we’re proud to be trusted by so many families as they take some of life’s biggest steps. From first homes to forever homes, we’re honored to be part of the journey.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who taught you the most about work?
I think I speak for both of us when I say that being parents has taught us the most about work.
We both come from families where hard work was more than an important virtue, it was a way of life. Nothing has been handed to us, and everything we have has been earned through determination and effort. But once you become a parent, the stakes feel even higher. The desire to provide not just for your children’s needs but also to teach them the values that have shaped you — like the importance of hard work, perseverance, and building meaningful relationships — becomes the driving force.
Nothing motivates you to be your best quite like having children who look up to you. They watch everything you do and, in many ways, model their own work ethic and values after yours. Knowing that they’re counting on you to set a good example makes all the difference in how you approach every challenge — both in business and in life.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There absolutely was a time we almost gave up.
Owning a business is a completely different kind of pressure than being an employee — especially when you’re guiding families through some of the biggest financial and emotional decisions of their lives. It’s a tremendous responsibility, and early on, we learned the hard way that without the right systems in place, that pressure can lead straight to burnout.
We reached a point where we had to hit pause and ask ourselves some big questions: Are we building something sustainable? Are we still aligned with our values? Are we showing up as the best version of ourselves — for our clients, our kids, and each other?
At the time, we feared that stepping back might be seen as a failure. And maybe to some, it was. But in truth, it was one of the most important things we’ve ever done. It gave us the clarity and space to rebuild smarter, stronger, and more intentionally.
Today, we know that success doesn’t come from doing the most — it comes from doing what matters, and doing it well. We’ve chosen to work with fewer families at a time so we can deliver the kind of thoughtful, first-class service each one deserves. Because no two families are the same — and their experience shouldn’t be either.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a belief you used to hold tightly but now think was naive or wrong?
A belief we once held tightly — and now realize was a little naïve? That success meant going big or going home.
In the early days, we thought we needed to build a big team, say yes to every opportunity, and show up everywhere — on every committee, every board, every network. The goal was to help as many people as possible and make sure everyone knew our name. At the time, it felt like the right strategy.
But here’s the truth: that version of success nearly ran us into the ground.
These days, our priorities have shifted — a lot. We no longer want to just be known by everyone; we want to truly know the people we work with. We want to run into past clients at the grocery store and not have to sneak a glance at our notes to remember their dog’s name.
We’ve come to realize that success isn’t about how wide you can cast your net — it’s about how well you take care of the people already in your boat.
For us, success looks like building meaningful relationships, showing up daily for our girls, homeschooling with intention (and a healthy dose of caffeine), and running a business that fits our life — not the other way around.
We’re not chasing trophies or titles anymore. We’re building a life that makes sense for our family — and that feels like real success.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. When do you feel most at peace?
We feel most at peace on the river.
There’s something about being out there — kayaking, camping on the riverbank, completely unplugged — that brings a different kind of calm. The quieter it is, the better. No cell service, no schedule, just wildlife, nature, and the sound of the water. It’s the kind of peace you don’t realize you’re missing until you’re in the middle of it.
We’ve come to love those river trips. They’re a fun little test of our marriage (because let’s be honest — nothing says “teamwork” like setting up camp with frozen fingers), but we always find our groove. And oddly enough, we prefer it when it’s cold out. There’s just something about crisp air and early morning coffee by the fire that makes it all feel like a reset.
We feel incredibly lucky to live in such a beautiful part of Missouri where access to that kind of peace is just a short drive away. Coming home is always a little tough — but those trips keep us grounded and connected to what really matters.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.KeyLivingHomes.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleykeyliving?igsh=MXJxZjB5bWxvMDNkbA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/15pa6q1uyi/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@keylivinghomes?si=xAYwZuNo-_UA630i
Image Credits
Allison Nicole photography
