Meet Our Diamond Certified Expert Contributor

Kelly Witt: Guided by Nature

By Caitlyn Stair, Diamond Certified Research Reporter

Kelly Witt’s connection to the construction industry runs deep. She grew up surrounded by tradespeople—her father was a painter, her uncle was a general contractor and her grandfather was an electrician. However, despite these influences, she ultimately chose to follow her grandmother’s passion for gardening as a career path.

After attending college and working in the insurance industry for 15 years, Kelly found herself pulled back toward the industry she knew best. She started working as a mason before transitioning to pavers and, ultimately, landscape construction. “It just felt like I finally came back to what I knew,” she says. “It’s construction, but it’s also being outside and working with plants.”

Kelly’s path to business ownership came from experience rather than intention. “While working for another contractor, I realized I was basically running everything myself, so I knew I could do it,” she recalls. “In 2021, I got the opportunity to take over Grimes Natural Landscape from the previous leadership. It was an established business, so the transition felt natural.”

Today, Kelly’s work is defined by both creativity and problem-solving. Her favorite part of her job is creating and shaping spaces that didn’t exist before. “Every project starts with a conversation—what people want, how they live and how they use their outdoor space,” she details. “I’ll walk through their property and talk about everything. Do they have kids or pets? Do they entertain? Even if they can’t fully picture the end result, they start to understand what the space needs to become.”

That translation from idea to reality is where Kelly’s design approach thrives. “You can have the same plants in the same conditions and they’ll all behave differently,” she says. “That’s part of the challenge, but it’s also what keeps the work interesting. In landscaping, flexibility is just as important as planning. A design gives everyone alignment, but once you’re in the field, you have to adapt.”

Kelly’s time outside of work closely resembles the themes of her professional life. “I’m always outside working on something,” she affirms. “There’s a bit of everything in my yard, from flowers to vegetables. I’ve been propagating succulents lately, which is pretty easy.” She also enjoys spending time with her dog, Vinny; attending art fairs; taking coastal drives; and enjoying the natural beauty of the South Bay.

Kelly’s professional approach isn’t built on slogans or formal philosophies, but on consistency. “I just treat every job like it’s my own space,” she offers. “If something needs to be improved, I address it. It’s all about keeping things clean, thoughtful and done right.”

Ask Me Anything!

Q: What types of TV shows do you watch?
A: I like HGTV reality shows like “100 Day Dream Home” and “Rock the Block.”

Q: What’s your favorite holiday?
A: Christmas. I like being around family and friends.

Q: Do you prefer being somewhere cold or somewhere hot?
A: Somewhere hot. I don’t do well in the cold.

Q: What’s your favorite animal?
A: I love almost anything that has legs, but dogs are probably my favorite.