We were lucky to catch up with Madison Blakeley recently and have shared our conversation below.
Madison, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Often outsiders look at a successful business and think it became a success overnight. Even media and especially movies love to gloss over nitty, gritty details that went into that middle phase of your business – after you started but before you got to where you are today. In our experience, overnight success is usually the result of years of hard work laying the foundation for success, but unfortunately, it’s exactly this part of the story that most of the media ignores. Can you talk to us about your scaling up story – what are some of the nitty, gritty details folks should know about?
Often, people look at a successful business and assume it happened overnight, but the reality is far more complex—and far more honest. For me, growing The Nanny Collection has been a journey marked by years of learning, persistence, and adaptation. I started the agency in 2021 with a clear vision but quickly learned that turning that vision into a thriving business required much more than just good intentions. We expanded into Chattanooga in 2023, and since then, we have continued to grow our service offerings—from one-off babysitting and event staffing to long-term nanny placements—always paying close attention to what our community needs and adapting to meet them. Soon, we’ll be bringing this approach to Knoxville as well.
One of the biggest challenges we faced was balancing the needs of two distinct locations. Unlike having one large talent pool or client base in a single city, we have caregivers and clients in both Clarksville and Chattanooga—and they don’t always line up perfectly. This means I’m constantly balancing the demands of two markets simultaneously, ensuring both sides receive personalized attention and quality service. It’s a complex dance that requires flexibility, clear communication, and an ongoing commitment to understanding the unique qualities and needs of all our clients.
Scaling wasn’t just about adding more nannies or families—it was about building a strong foundation behind the scenes. I often say that while I’m working closely with clients in Chattanooga, I’m simultaneously managing candidates in Clarksville. This dual focus means that building the right administrative team is just as important as hiring exceptional caregivers. To that end, we’ve invested heavily in virtual assistants (VAs) from across the country, whose support is crucial to maintaining smooth day-to-day operations. Their work allows me to effectively manage both locations without sacrificing the personalized service our clients expect.
Beyond our in-house team, our partnerships have played a pivotal role in scaling effectively. We work closely with GTM Payroll to ensure smooth, compliant payroll and benefits processing—a critical service that many agencies overlook but which keeps families and nannies confident in our professionalism. We also actively engage with industry leaders like the International Nanny Association (INA) and the Association of Premier Nanny Agencies (APNA). These relationships provide us with access to cutting-edge standards, resources, and ongoing professional development opportunities that continuously elevate the quality of care we offer.
One of the most meaningful moments in our growth journey was partnering with The Scout Guide Chattanooga. This collaboration not only increased our visibility in the local luxury market but also reinforced our core belief that clients are our business partners and our community is the backbone of our success. Being part of this vibrant network has allowed us to deepen relationships and tailor our services to the unique needs of affluent families.
Of course, the journey has had its hurdles. Early on, I underestimated the complexities of scaling across multiple markets and the importance of robust systems. We made mistakes—stretching ourselves too thin at times, or not investing enough in training our administrative team. But every obstacle became a learning opportunity. We refined our recruiting process to be more thorough and intuitive, committed to ongoing professional development for our staff, and developed tailored client onboarding to ensure families fully understand the benefits and expectations of working with us.
Working with the local Economic Development Council to do market research and strategic growth planning was another key step in our evolution. This partnership helped us identify community needs and sharpen our service offerings, ensuring we meet those needs effectively as we expand.
The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that success is built on relationships and relentless attention to detail—whether it’s carefully matching a nanny to a family, supporting our team with education and tools, or staying ahead of industry trends through INA and APNA memberships. Every decision, from geographic expansion to trusted payroll partnerships, has been intentional and aligned with our core values of excellence and integrity.
I consider myself successful not just because of the milestones we’ve reached, but because the journey itself—full of challenges, growth, and passion—has brought me immense joy and pride. This passion fuels everything I do and inspires me to keep raising the standard for our agency and the families we serve. The Nanny Collection isn’t just a business to me; it’s a reflection of my commitment to making a meaningful difference in the lives of caregivers and families alike.
Looking forward, I’m excited to keep growing while maintaining the personal touch that defines us. I know the work will never be “done”—scaling means continuous learning, evolving systems, and most importantly, never losing sight of why we started: to provide exceptional care and peace of mind to families and caregivers alike.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
My background includes years of hands-on experience as a nanny and caregiver, which gave me a front-row seat to the challenges both families and caregivers face. I saw firsthand how difficult it can be to find trustworthy, qualified childcare that truly fits a family’s unique needs—and how many talented caregivers struggle to find meaningful, well-supported employment. That inspired me to create a different kind of agency—one focused on quality, personalized service, and ongoing support.
The Nanny Collection serves families and caregivers in Clarksville, Chattanooga, and soon Knoxville. As a nanny agency, we connect families with the right childcare professionals—primarily through full-time and part-time nanny placements—but we also offer one-off babysitting and short-term care services when families need extra support. Our process is thorough and thoughtful: from vetting and screening candidates, to matching them carefully to a family’s specific needs and preferences, and providing ongoing support to ensure those placements are successful and sustainable.
What I’m most proud of is the trust I’ve built with both families and nannies. It means so much to know that my agency is seen as a reliable partner, committed to the wellbeing and success of everyone involved. I’m also proud of expanding thoughtfully into new markets and forming meaningful partnerships, like with The Scout Guide Chattanooga, which help me connect with and serve my community better.
The main thing I want potential clients, followers, and fans to know is that this agency is more than a service—it’s a relationship built on respect, care, and professionalism. When you work with us, you’re not just finding childcare—you’re gaining a partner who truly values your family’s unique needs and the dedication of caregivers. I’m passionate about raising the standard of care and creating a positive experience for everyone involved.
Can you open up about how you funded your business?
I started with babysitting money—every late night, every nap time, every picky eater. I tucked that income away with a bigger dream in mind. By the time I graduated college, I had enough saved to take a real risk. I had spent nearly a decade as a full-time nanny, weekend sitter, and caregiver. I built slowly and quietly, knowing I wanted to do something more with my experience, even if I didn’t yet know exactly what it would look like.
Right after graduation, I entered a local grant contest. I thought, this is it. I had done the research, built out systems, spent late nights creating documents, budgets, process maps, and pitch decks. I was ready—I just needed someone to see the vision and back it with capital to help me launch the way I dreamed. I made it to the final round.
And then, I lost.
Losing that grant was crushing. I felt embarrassed, defeated, and for a moment, deeply unsure if this dream had any real legs. But that failure turned out to be a pivot point. Because while I didn’t win the money, I had already done the hardest part: I built the bones. And in the process of losing, I proved to myself that I didn’t need anyone’s permission to start. I could begin small and build smart. So I did. I took every piece of prep work from the grant and launched anyway—with no outside funding, no investors, and no cushion. Just babysitting savings, a Google Drive full of documents, and a whole lot of grit. For two years, I didn’t pay myself. Every dollar went back into the agency: building a website, forming legal contracts, sourcing talent, and recruiting intentionally.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
What really helped me build my reputation within the market is that we provide not only the best candidates but also the best overall experience for both families and caregivers. We don’t just look at resumes or credentials—we seek out candidates who are exceptional both professionally and personally. We prioritize finding individuals who are great on the outside and inside, whose values, personalities, and work ethics closely align with the families they will serve. This deep focus on genuine compatibility has made a big difference in creating successful, long-lasting placements.
Beyond the quality of our candidates, we are committed to delivering a personalized, attentive experience for every client. We understand that every family’s needs are unique, so we take the time to listen carefully, customize our approach, and adapt as things evolve. Our team bends over backwards to ensure clear communication, smooth transitions, and ongoing support after placement, so that everyone feels confident and cared for throughout the process.
This combination of exceptional talent and exceptional service has helped build trust and loyalty among our clients. Families know they can count on us to deliver professionalism, integrity, and attention to detail every step of the way. Our reputation is built on consistently exceeding expectations and showing that we truly care about the people we work with. That commitment has led to strong referrals and long-term relationships, which are the foundation of our success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thenannycollection.com
- Instagram: @thenannycollection
- Facebook: @thenannycollection
- Linkedin: Madison Blakeley
- Other: Google Reviews: https://g.co/kgs/GRyJnj2
Image Credits
Casey Yoshida The Scout Guide Chattanooga Volume 12