Growing a Garden of Goodness: Business as Nature Intended

When people talk about "Business," they often use violent words.

"We have to crush the competition." "We have to capture the market." "It's a dog-eat-dog world." "Shark Tank."

Yikes! Why is everyone fighting?

I think there is a better way to think about business. I don't want to be a Shark. I want to be a Gardener.

The Fruit Tree Philosophy

Imagine an apple tree.

Does the apple tree fight the grass? No. Does the apple tree steal from the squirrels? No.

The apple tree just grows. It takes sunlight and rain (which are free!) and it turns them into:

1. Wood (to make itself strong).
2. Oxygen (which helps everyone breathe).
3. Apples (sweet food for animals and humans).
4. Shade (a cool place to rest).

The tree is a "Business" that is profitable for everyone. It gives back more than it takes.

Be a Tree, Not a Weed

Some businesses are like Weeds.

A weed grows really fast. It strangles the other plants. It takes all the water. It makes the garden ugly.

• A company that pollutes the river to save money is a Weed.
• A company that pays its workers very little so the boss can buy a yacht is a Weed.
• A company that tricks you into buying things you don't need is a Weed.

At Orb21, we try very hard to be a Tree.

We want to grow, yes! We want to be a big, strong tree. But we want our growth to be good for the forest.

• We share our knowledge (like this blog!). That is our Shade.
• We build helpful tools. That is our Fruit.
• We treat our team with kindness. That is our Oxygen.

Innovation is Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis is the coolest magic trick on Earth. Plants take sunlight (energy) and turn it into sugar (food). They make something out of nothing!

Entrepreneurs do the same thing.

We take Ideas (brain power) and we turn them into Solutions.

When you start a business—even if it's just a lemonade stand—you are creating value. You are taking lemons, sugar, and water, and turning them into a cold, refreshing drink that makes people smile on a hot day.

You made the world better.

Your Garden

One day, you might start a company. Or lead a club. Or run a team.

Remember the garden.

Ask yourself: "Is my project feeding the people around me? Or is it choking them?"

Profit is important—a tree needs water to live. But the purpose of the tree is not just to drink water. The purpose is to give fruit.

Grow something beautiful. Grow something that makes the whole garden flourish.