Life has a way of surprising us, and sometimes those surprises come in the form of unexpected growth. Just like the six wild tomato plants I found growing in my spreading Juniper in the driveway, business growth can occur in the most unlikely places.
I discovered the six wild tomato plants growing in the spreading Juniper in our driveway. I didn't plant them, but they were, thriving and without soil! I started to water and care for them. As a result they produced flowers and started to bear fruit. It was a vivid reminder of the unexpected places growth can occur. But what if these plants had been intentionally nurtured?
Statistics show that 20% of new businesses fail during the first two years of being open, 45% during the first five years, and 65% during the first 10 years. These numbers are a stark reminder that planting the seed is only the beginning.
This unexpected growth got me thinking about business. Like a gardener tending to plants, business owners must provide their ventures with the right amount of sunlight, water, and care. Without daily attention to relationships, marketing, product development, and customer service, the seeds of business wither away.
Many business owners plant the seeds but neglect the daily nurturing required for growth. They become gardeners who don't tend to their plants, leading to unfulfilled potential.
As I pondered my wild tomato plants, I saw a clear connection between being a gardener and a business owner. I reflected on my own long journey of that first seed that I planted for my business. It took a lot of my attention, to nurture my dream and goals.
But the struggle doesn't end there. As a leader, you are the gardener, and as the gardener, you have to take care of yourself too. You need to make sure that your well-being is in check, that you can show up positively and powerfully for yourself, your team, your business and for your customers.
Ultimately the path to success in business and life, as in gardening, lies in daily nurturing.
Here are some tips on how:
Plant your Seeds with Intention: Identify the core values, goals, and vision for your business. Plant these seeds with intention and purpose, then nurture them with care.
Nurture Relationships: Invest time in building and maintaining relationships with customers, team members, and partners. Like watering a plant, these connections need regular attention.
Take Care of Yourself: Make sure that you take the time to nurture your business... and then on top of that, make sure that you're taking care of yourself.
Embrace the Unexpected: Just as I found tomatoes growing in my Juniper, be open to unexpected opportunities and growth. Sometimes, the most remarkable successes come from the most unlikely places.
Look to the Future: The journey of a gardener is filled with lessons that branch out beyond the garden's boundaries. In business, as in gardening, the seeds we plant, and nurture today determine the harvest we reap tomorrow. Embrace the unexpected growth that may come your way.
One more thing to consider. Your journey as well as all gardeners need others for the right resources and support for a successful season and harvest. What resources do you need to be prepared for the unexpected?
Written by,
Meg King