Meet Kirklyn Powell
Meet Kirklyn Powell—a Nashville entrepreneur, real estate professional, Airbnb Superhost, and founder of TENON. What started with selling hand-painted rocks at just five years old has evolved into a thriving career in Nashville real estate, driven by ambition, innovation, and a passion for success.
At only 16 years old, Kirklyn Powell opened his first business—a coffee food truck called "The Morning Grind." It wasn't long before a coffee hobby turned into a full-blown brick-and-mortar café within six months. Having grown up in an entrepreneurial family, Kirklyn was already familiar with the business scene. But his path took a surprise turn when he shifted to real estate, relocating to Nashville at the age of 18 with no connections and no background in the field.
Kirklyn never intended to create a large business operation; indeed, his initial reason for opening his coffee shop was straightforward—he wanted to purchase a Tesla during the pandemic. "I actually wanted to buy a Tesla. So I was like, how can I do that during COVID?" he remembers. "A coffee shop just happened to work. I love coffee. I love people. And I was really good at making coffee and talking to people."Kirklyn closed up his café at 18 and took a leap of faith into real estate, an industry that people had assured him he would be good at because of his innate salesperson and business acumen. With no college education or formal training, he used what he refers to as "YouTube University," learning the basics of real estate through online videos before starting his pre-licensing real estate courses. "I joke and refer to it as YouTube University, because I basically learned everything from that when I opened The Morning Grind," he explains.
Branding is no joke for Kirklyn. When the time came to title his real estate group, he went with "ARK" for its sleek, contemporary vibe. The title also holds more meaning—his home state of Arkansas is a nod, but it also has a Biblical reference. "I just kind of wanted something that was lux and to the point and I didn't want to put my name on it," he says. "ARK stood for Arkansas, but since Ark's also biblical, I thought that would encompass parts of who I am as a person.”
The real estate market is busy, particularly in Middle Tennessee. What differentiates Kirklyn from others is that he has the dedication of making a five-star, white-glove experience happen for every single client. "There are a thousand realtors in Middle Tennessee," he adds. "The issue is buying or selling property is one of the most stressful transactions in your life. My goal is to make the experience as simple and enjoyable as possible while educating them along the way."
Like every entrepreneur, Kirklyn has encountered his share of difficulties. The first year as a real estate agent was especially difficult—commission-based meant there were weeks he didn't know where his next check was coming from. "I wanted to quit at least once a week throughout my first year," he confesses. "But I knew if I could survive the first year, the coming years would be better." That determination paid off: in his second year, his sales increased by 500%. One of his greatest achievements was becoming a luxury agent in 2024. "I always had an idea that I wanted to work in the luxury real estate world, but to achieve that status was just a really cool thing," he says. Another proud moment? Finding out that his colleagues had been following his path and regarded him as a young trailblazer in the industry. "I had someone say to me the other day, 'I don't think you realize this, but you were a trailblazer in the office before you left and there were others watching you too.' That meant so much to me."
When asked what he would advise someone new to business, Kirklyn underscores the value of perseverance. "I don’t operate with a plan B, I just continue to revise plan A." he asserts. He also stresses the need for establishing true relationships and remaining flexible. "The business landscape is always shifting, and being able to change course and learn is the secret to long-term success."
Motivation for Kirklyn is rooted in his strong passion and love of people. “I want to be able to achieve my dreams and achieve true freedom, and my goal is to help others do the same in the process." he admits. "But I knew that if I pour into people, it will return to me tenfold." In the future, Kirklyn sees his real estate career and team to continue to grow. His aim isn't merely expansion but building a company culture that draws in the best talent and drives unexplainable growth. "I would love to be one of Middle Tennessee's top real estate teams and ultimately cover the whole state," he says.
Kirklyn is also enthusiastic about helping other entrepreneurs. In September 2024, he established TENON: The Entrepreneurial Network of Nashville, an organization created to bring and support local business owners. "I realized a lack of entrepreneurial space of actually having a real entrepreneurial networking group," he says. "I launched TENON to build a bridge to connect other entrepreneurs in Nashville.”
The most effective means of supporting Kirklyn's business is by word of mouth. "If you ever hear anybody wanting to sell or buy real estate anywhere, call me," he says. "Even if it's outside my market, I have connections all over the world."
Kirklyn Powell’s story is a testament to the power of resilience, branding, and relationship-building. From brewing coffee to closing luxury real estate deals, his entrepreneurial spirit continues to drive him forward. If you’re in the market for a dedicated real estate professional—or simply looking for inspiration—Kirklyn is one to watch.
Stay in touch with Kirklyn:
Facebook & Instagram: @kirklynpowell
Email: kirklyn@arkproperty.group
Website: www.arkproperty.group