The KEYPOPPY Name - A Call to Give

Almost everyone we encounter is enamored by the concept of KEYPOPPY and its service to churches, but few know what our name actually means. Not surprisingly, questions about our name rank among the top five inquiries we receive. Although the answer is posted on our primary website, we thought it would be helpful to repeat the story here and to invite comments or further discussion. 

KEYPOPPY takes its name from Bob Arthur Keeley (born September 14, 1920, died January 17, 1999), a humble machinist and World War II veteran who rented apartments at low cost to other laborers and veterans in a suburban district of Cleveland, Ohio. In addition to upkeep of the building, Keeley provided tenants access to equipment and services that could serve their professional and personal needs. He assembled a workshop, complete with a full line of high-grade machinery, and welcomed activities on the property grounds. Before he lost his mental and physical faculties in the 1990s, Keeley bequeathed his entire estate to his laborer-tenants, a gesture that reflected his family approach to management.

Not surprisingly, Keeley and his community of residents became a focal point in the neighborhood and the extended families of the tenants. Known as the father or “Poppy” of the property, Keeley was affectionately referred to as “Keypoppy” and his apartment building the “Keypoppy Estate.” Interestingly, Keeley’s modest investment in his tenants initiated an infinite return. The tenants created priceless tools and machines, including templates, mockups, and products that continue to impact millions of people (e.g., machines that create alkaline batteries).

After Keeley’s death, the tenant-owners continued to rent the facility to working-class laborers and veterans, thereby paying forward Keeley’s innovative contribution.

Our company took the name, KEYPOPPY, all upper case, to honor our commitment to open source (non-proprietary) and community-centered products and services—much like our namesake.  Each website we build is like a home (with workshop and communication tools built in). We even share the revenue of our e-commerce store with our clients so that they can enjoy low rent alongside great service, just like the tenants of Bob Keeley.

May his name be a blessing.