Today we’d like to introduce you to Kathy Fox.
Hi Kathy, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I moved to the Nashville area in 2013 and was looking for a job or business that would let me get out and explore the area. When I learned about the TravelHost Nashville franchise in 2014, it was exactly what I was looking for. My background was in print at Eastman Kodak Company, so this was a way to come full circle in my career by publishing a magazine for Nashville visitors.
However, when COVID hit, the travel industry shuttered, and I was looking to pivot as no one at the time knew how long the world would be shut down. I had the resources and people to support me, so I went out on a limb and started a high-end lifestyle magazine, called Maury County Living, mailed directly to the residents of Maury County, Tennessee.
When I started Maury County Living, I wasn’t just launching a magazine, it was a way to bring the community together and share uplifting stories from around Middle Tennessee. From the beginning, my vision was different. I didn’t want to create a magazine that was filled with advertisements; I wanted each issue to inspire readers with its stories, showcase local businesses, and be a blessing to both.
Like most entrepreneurs, I started my new journey not knowing if it would succeed. However, with determination and the right timing, the magazine launched its first issue in only three months in January 2021. There were some days when I questioned whether I could make it work as I spent many hours meeting with business owners, writing stories late into the night, and working with people in the community to find uplifting content to share with the readers. Thankfully, I did.
One by one, local businesses believed in my vision. They understood that Maury County Living wasn’t just another place to advertise, but an opportunity to tell their story. Those relationships became the foundation of the magazine, and many of them have grown into friendships that I still have today. In fact, because of what Maury County Living evolved into, businesses asked me to launch Williamson County Living, which I did in May 2022.
Over these past 12 years, I’ve had the privilege of exploring Middle Tennessee and beyond, meeting extraordinary people. I have interviewed entrepreneurs, spoken with families who have shaped our community, talked with artists who inspire others through their art or music, and met nonprofit leaders who have dedicated themselves to serving others. I have even had the privilege to travel the world with other media outlets and journalists, discovering places for our readers to visit. Every issue reminds me that the community where we live is remarkable, and there are so many stories worth telling.
Publishing has never been just a JOB for me. It’s about building relationships, strengthening communities, and preserving the stories that define where we live. Every issue represents months of collaboration with business owners, writers, photographers, and designers who all share a common goal of building a stronger community.
Today, when I see someone reading the magazine at a coffee shop or a doctor’s office, hear a business owner say they gained new customers because of an article, or watch a nonprofit receive support after being featured in our pages, I’m reminded why I started this journey in the first place. The magazines have always been about more than ink on paper. It’s about celebrating the people and telling their stories. One of the greatest rewards has been watching local businesses grow. Knowing that my magazines have helped connect them with new customers or shine a spotlight on their work.
2026 holds something very special for my company, Music City Publications, Inc. We are sponsoring a fundraiser benefiting Folds of Honor Tennessee. With the help of many businesses and the community, we hope to make a generous donation to support their cause. On August 27, we will host an open house showcasing a custom-built home by Carbine & Associates, with all profits being donated to Folds of Honor TN. This event truly has been a collaboration of so many people in Middle Tennessee and for such a worthy cause!
Looking back, I realize I didn’t just build a magazine. Together with the people and businesses who believed in it, we built a partnership inspired by one another for the community. That has been the greatest privilege of my career, and it’s the stories I’m honored to continue sharing with every new issue I publish.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
For the most part, it has been a smooth road. My support team offers a lot of help managing each issue, as there are a lot of moving parts and deadlines that cannot be missed.
In late 2025, I decided it was time to give the magazine a fresh look. While redesigning an established publication came with its challenges, the creative process was rewarding, and it was exciting to see it all come together. When we unveiled the new design in the January/February 2026 issue, the response was very positive, so it was all worth the effort.
We’ve been impressed with Music City Publications, Inc., but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
When I moved to Nashville, I wanted to find a job where I was my own boss. Previously, my husband and I owned a brick-and-mortar store. I knew I did not want to do that again, and wanted something that would not tie me down. Something that would give me freedom during the day.
I came across the opportunity to purchase the TravelHost Nashville franchise, and that decision was the beginning of Music City Publications, Inc. I’ve always loved to travel, so I saw it as the perfect way to combine my passion with my career. While the magazine was designed to help visitors discover the best of Nashville during their stay, it gave me the opportunity to explore new destinations because it was published quarterly.
However, I had to pivot during COVID and started a high-end lifestyle magazine in Maury County, Tennessee, as it never shut down. My goal was to create a magazine that was not inundated with advertisements and had uplifting stories. Additionally, all the businesses I talked to while launching the new magazine were looking for an alternative publication that didn’t cost a fortune and still reached the right demographic.
Both Williamson County Living and Maury County Living are high-end, affordable lifestyle magazines. The magazines are mailed to affluent homeowners in their respective counties, which assures our business partners that they are reaching their target demographic. A unique aspect of the magazine is that we only run full- and half-page ads. This provides a very clean, polished finished product, unlike many other publications.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
Starting any business is a huge financial risk these days. It’s not for the faint of heart, as it takes many long hours and deep pockets to get off the ground. However, it is one of the most rewarding career paths one could take. Watching your business grow and become successful while helping others will keep any entrepreneur motivated. It’s a passion that runs deep!
Contact Info:
- Website: maurycountyliving.com and williamsoncoliving.com
- Instagram: @maurycountyliving @williamsoncoliving
- Facebook: Maury County Living Williamson County Living
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathy-fox/
