What My Backyard Taught Me About Entrepreneurship

Last weekend I was in the wooded portion of my backyard and noticed all sorts of bamboo shoots I hadn’t noticed before.

It turns out there's a fascinating story about the Chinese Bamboo. 

For four years, you water it and fertilize it, but see almost no growth above ground. It's easy to feel like you're wasting your time.

But what you can't see is the critical work happening beneath the surface. For four years, the bamboo is developing a massive, complex root system. Then, in the fifth year, once the foundation is in place, the plant will shoot up to 80 feet in a single year.

This is the hidden journey of the entrepreneur.

In the beginning, you're doing the hard, foundational work that no one sees:

1. Building Your Skills: You’re not just starting a business; you’re becoming a founder. This period is for reading, learning, networking, and developing the core skills you'll need.

2. Refining Your Idea: You're testing your concept, getting feedback, and adapting your model. It’s about ensuring your product or service is something people truly need.

3. Steeling Your Mindset: You're building resilience and discipline, learning to handle rejection, and defining the habits that will sustain you through years of uncertainty.

Like the Chinese Bamboo, the first few years of your entrepreneurial journey can feel slow and unrewarding. But it is this "root system" that will determine whether your business is just a temporary idea or a lasting success. When the moment comes for you to grow—the "fifth year"—you'll be able to launch to heights you never thought possible. 

As I look at the approaching 11th anniversary of Next Level Essentials, I speak from personal experience. And thanks to the many who have made a dream come true. 

As you build your vision, are you focusing on the roots or just the stalk?