We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kay Wells a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Kay with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
My work ethic comes from how I was raised and the environments I’ve been in. Growing up, I watched people around me work hard — not because it was easy, but because it was necessary. That taught me early on that consistency and integrity matter just as much as talent.
Then my years in aerospace engineering really solidified it. When you’re working on systems that have to perform perfectly — because people’s lives or missions depend on it — you develop a different standard for excellence. “Good enough” isn’t part of the vocabulary.
Now as an entrepreneur, I bring that same mindset to Posie Pots. Whether I’m designing a product, meeting a deadline, pitching to investors or leading a team, I believe in giving 100%. For me, work ethic isn’t just about working hard — it’s about caring deeply about the outcome, staying accountable, and following through no matter what.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’m Kay Wells, founder and inventor of Posie Pots, a self-watering planter that makes plant care simple, sustainable, and stylish. Before launching Posie Pots, I spent more than two decades as an aerospace engineer, with a deep-rooted passion for horticulture. So innovation, precision, and problem-solving have always been part of my DNA.
The idea for Posie Pots started with a simple frustration: I love plants, but like so many people, I struggled to keep them thriving. Between work, travel, and life, remembering to water on the perfect schedule wasn’t realistic. That’s when I thought, “Why not use engineering to solve this?” So I started prototyping, 3D printing, and testing designs until I created a system that allowed plants to water themselves — using a patented internal reservoir that keeps roots hydrated for up to a month.
What makes Posie Pots special is the combination of design and science. They’re beautiful on the outside but engineered with purpose on the inside — a blend of art, innovation, and everyday functionality. My goal is to help people enjoy plants without the stress, and to bring a little calm and confidence into their daily lives.
Right now, I’m focused on expanding the Posie Pots brand and building partnerships that help us reach more homes and retailers nationwide. One of our biggest recent milestones was receiving Walmart’s Gold Ticket at the Walmart Open Call — an incredible honor that’s opening new doors for growth and visibility.
Beyond the product, I’m passionate about inspiring other innovators in STEM and entrepreneurship — to pursue their ideas boldly. I believe creativity and engineering can live side by side, and that the best solutions often come from everyday challenges.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Curiosity has always been at the heart of everything I do. It’s what pushed me to ask questions, explore new ideas, and eventually turn a simple problem — watering plants — into a real innovation. I’ve learned that curiosity fuels creativity. My advice is to stay open-minded, ask “why” often, and don’t be afraid to tinker or test ideas that seem small. That’s usually where great things begin.
Resilience came from experience. As an aerospace engineer and now as a founder, I’ve faced my share of challenges and setbacks. Things don’t always go according to plan — and that’s okay. Resilience is what keeps you moving forward when the outcome isn’t certain. For those just starting out, remember: every obstacle teaches you something that success never could.
And finally, execution — the ability to take an idea and actually make it happen. You can have the best idea in the world, but it means nothing if you don’t act on it. I’ve learned to take the next step, even when I don’t have everything figured out. My advice is to focus on progress, not perfection. Start, learn, adjust, and keep going.
Those three qualities together — curiosity, resilience, and execution — are what helped me turn a vision into a real, growing business.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
Feeling overwhelmed is something everyone experiences, especially when you’re building something meaningful. For me, the first step is to pause and prioritize. I ask myself: What really needs my attention right now? It helps me focus on what matters most and stop spinning my wheels.
I also make time to step back and reset — sometimes that’s going for a walk, tending to my plants, or just taking a few deep breaths. It gives me perspective and reminds me why I started.
Another key strategy is delegation. As a founder, it’s tempting to do everything yourself, but growth comes when you trust others to contribute their strengths.
My advice is simple: give yourself grace, break things into small steps, and focus on progress over perfection. Even small forward movement counts.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.posiepot.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@posiepots
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