Mary Mary, quite contrary...

In February 2019, I began a simple yet heartfelt journey. Armed with just two planters and a dream, I set out to grow my own strawberries from seed. Love was my driving force, and those strawberries were meant for my nephew.

Fast forward a few years, and during the second wave of COVID-19, my dream came true. Bro spent a couple of months with us in Delhi. Every morning, I picked fresh strawberries for my nephew, and he enjoyed them on his pancakes. The joy was immeasurable.

Since those humble beginnings in 2019, much has changed. I've transformed my terrace into a dedicated garden—a well-cared-for kitchen garden that blesses us with fresh salad greens in the winter, heirloom tomatoes, and an abundance of gourds in the summer. Remarkably, we're still harvesting bottle gourds.

But it's vital to understand that you don't go from two planters to a thriving garden by mere wishful thinking. It takes time, patience, a willingness to learn, the courage to make mistakes, a spirit of experimentation, collaboration, and sheer tenacity.

Every morning when I step onto my terrace, I encounter new insights and lessons. It's a place of growth, both in my garden and within myself.

This morning, as I gazed at the nursery I started last Sunday, it struck me—there are profound similarities between what I do in the garden and what I'm attempting professionally. Let's explore how nurturing a startup is akin to tending a garden and discover the valuable lessons they both offer.

1. Cultivating Growth: Picture your startup as a tiny seed in a vast garden. With care and dedication, you'll witness it grow into something remarkable.
2. The Power of Perseverance: Just like a garden doesn't blossom overnight, your startup won't achieve its full potential in a day. Be patient, keep nurturing, and you'll see progress day by day.
3. Embracing Change and Flourishing: Both in your garden and your startup, embrace change. Adapt, innovate, and watch your dreams thrive.
4. The Beauty of Collaboration: Just as different plants work together in a garden, surround yourself with a team that collaborates effectively to create success in your startup.
5. Celebrating Small Victories: Take pleasure in every small milestone, just as a gardener admires each blossom. They're the fragrance of your hard work, inspiring you to reach higher.
6. Sustainability Breeds Success: Sustainable practices in your garden and startup ensure a brighter future. Plant seeds of sustainability for long-term prosperity.
7. Shining After Adversity: Storms may come, but they also go. After every challenge, your startup and your garden will emerge stronger.
8. Cherishing Details: Just as a single dewdrop sparkles on a leaf, the finer details in your startup can make a world of difference.
9. Beauty in Progress: Every day, your startup and your garden are a work of art in progress. Celebrate every step of your journey.
10. Savoring Success: Just as your garden yields a bountiful harvest, your startup will too. Savour the rewards of your dedication.
11. Passion Fuels Growth: Love your work passionately, and watch your startup blossom into an orchard of opportunity.
12. A Fresh Start Every Day: Every day is a new chance to make progress. Learn from yesterday, but embrace each new day with enthusiasm.

Your journey, whether in the garden or in your startup, is a canvas waiting for your unique masterpiece. With love, patience, and unwavering belief, you're not just cultivating growth—you're creating a world of inspiration. Your dreams, like a flourishing garden, are within reach.