Driven by a passion for bringing beauty to his local community, Tyler Keit, the proud owner of Rooted by Keits greenhouse located just outside of Bay City, MI says he’s the luckiest man alive. “There’s never a time where I say, ‘Oh man it’s Monday again, I have to go back to the greenhouse!’ I love what I do, and I can’t imagine doing anything else.”
When Tyler set out to open his own greenhouse, he had no idea the positive impact it would have not only on his own life, but for his community as well. “I’ve always known working a traditional corporate job just wasn’t for me,” said Tyler. “I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit and just wanted to go out on my own and see what I could achieve.”
Tyler grew up working with his parents at their own family greenhouse, so he knew firsthand the dedication and drive it would take to be a successful greenhouse owner. Eager to grow a name for himself yet sticking to his roots, Tyler ventured out on his own when he was just 18 by selling flowers seasonally out of a used greenhouse he purchased.
“I had bought a greenhouse and was selling flowers and was also doing all sorts of odd jobs on the side. I have a bachelor’s degree in finance, but I always knew I wanted to end up working with my hands,” he shared.
In 2020, Tyler set his sights on becoming a business owner himself when he discovered a local greenhouse looking to sell after being in business for over 20 years. With a little encouragement from his now wife Lindsay, Tyler decided to take the leap. “I called them up and that was really the start of it,” explained Tyler. “I came in at just the right time and it wasn’t long after I was getting ready to open my own business that spring!”
Putting Down Roots
That was the beginning of 2020, a year where many young businesses faced tremendous hurdles and even established businesses felt the affect of the pandemic. However, as Tyler explained, the greenhouse industry thrived during this time.
This was a time where people couldn’t do anything else except be outside. More people were spending time in their gardens at home, and greenhouses were one of the only places that remained open. “Our first year there were a lot of lessons learned. But we did well that year and that propelled us to keep going and expanding our business.”
Tyler purchased the greenhouse when it was just 17,000 square feet. Today, Rooted by Keits’ entire property is just under 60,000 square feet total, and includes 20 greenhouses! With the help and hard work of his wife Lindsay, his parents, and around 12 seasonal employees, Rooted by Keits has since over tripled in size!
Since the beginning, Tyler has envisioned a space where members of his community could gather to enjoy the beauty of the hundreds of varieties of flowers and plants his greenhouse offers. “We have everything from annuals, perennials, hanging baskets, patio planters, potted plants, vegetable starts, u-pick strawberries – just about anything you could hope to find!” Tyler says proudly.
Every year, Rooted by Keits grows hundreds of varieties of flowers and plants for their customers to enjoy come springtime.
Branching Out
Not only does the greenhouse provide an expansive offering of flowers and plants, but it also serves as an event center for holiday and family parties, bridal or baby showers, corporate meetings, and more! Rooted by Keits even offers classes and community events such as sunrise yoga classes, sip and swirl painting classes, and Strawberry Fest, a celebration of the strawberry season and a great way to enjoy the harvest of their very own strawberry fields.
Through their eagerness to engage with the people of their community, they’ve fostered numerous connections and relationships that continue to grow. “I just enjoy being out in the greenhouse and catching up with our customers,” explained Tyler. “I think everyone likes being out in the fresh air surrounded by all the plants and greenery, you can’t help but be in a good mood.”
That very instance is how Tyler formed a connection with GreenStone Financial Services Officer Joshua (Josh) Quaderer. Josh, a neighbor of Tyler’s, had decided one day to check out the greenhouse down the road that was under new ownership. “While I was there Tyler and I kind of hit it off right away,” said Josh. “I just told him to reach out if he ever needed anything, and I remember he said, ‘well you don’t look like the typical banker,’ and I replied ‘well we’re not your typical lender!’”
Tyler Keit (left) and Josh Quaderer (right) once neighbors, now collaborate professionally.
Growth with GreenStone
Years later, when Tyler was looking to expand his business by adding more greenhouses and creating a more walkable layout and retail space for customers, he reached out to Josh to see if GreenStone could help him achieve his vision for his business.
“Tyler came to me to see if GreenStone could help with the financing for his expansion, and we were more than happy to help,” explained Josh. “Since GreenStone is a lender who actively supports young, beginning, and small farmers, I enjoy working with customers like Tyler to see how we can help them expand their business and be successful. Tyler has been great to work with too, he’s always full of energy and has a true passion for what he does and for the greenhouse industry.”
With the expansion underway, Tyler is looking forward to opening the doors of Rooted by Keits for the 2025 season and is hoping the new and improved layout will create an even more enjoyable visit for customers of the greenhouse this spring.
“The support from GreenStone has really helped us achieve our vision for how we wanted to expand this year,” said Tyler. “Working with Josh has been great. Since the beginning, our relationship has really been more like two neighbors, because that’s what we are. I know I can text or call him to run ideas past him and know he has our best interest in mind.”
Tyler also values the benefit of GreenStone’s depth in the industry. “It’s also been nice to work with GreenStone as an agricultural lender because they understand the hurdles of this industry better than any other traditional lender. Being in the greenhouse industry comes with its own sets of challenges, and since we’re a seasonal business, sometimes it’s hard to know if all the work we put in during the winter is really going to pay off until we’re in the middle of our busy season.”
So, what makes it all worth it, despite the challenges they face each season? “For me there’s something special about when people come in to get their flowers each year. It can be a gloomy, rainy spring day in Michigan but the second you step into the greenhouse you’re surrounded by all these beautiful flowers. It’s usually only something people do once a year too, so being able to brighten their day and be a part of that process is what makes it all worth it for me,” Tyler says fondly.
From sharing the beauty of a wide variety of flowers and plants, to hosting events that promote connection, there’s no doubt Rooted by Keits is deeply rooted in the success of their community.
The next generation of Keits is already hands-on in the greenhouse!
To view the spring 2025 issue of Partners magazine in its entirety, click here.
