Cultivating Your Business Garden: Which Relationships to Water, Which to Weed

In every garden, there are plants that flourish with just a bit of care — and others that struggle, no matter how much water or sunlight you give. Relationships in business are no different. Some nurture your growth; others quietly deplete your energy. If you want your “business garden” to thrive, you have to learn when to water and when to weed.

Recognize the Types of Relationships

• Nutrient-Rich Relationships – Mentors, partners, and friends who challenge you and celebrate your wins.
  
  

• Neutral Relationships – Connections that aren’t harmful but don’t help your growth.
  
  

• Weeds – Toxic connections that drain your time, focus, and energy.
  
  

Audit Your Garden
Every season, gardeners step back and evaluate what’s thriving and what needs to go. Do the same with your relationships. Ask yourself:

• Does this relationship add value or deplete it?
  
  

• Does this person celebrate my growth or compete with it?
  
  

• Am I investing energy without reciprocity?
  
  Learn to Prune with Grace
  Letting go doesn’t always require a dramatic conversation. Sometimes it’s as simple as creating space, setting boundaries, or reducing engagement with those who don’t support your growth.
  Example script:

“I’m focusing on a few key priorities right now, so I won’t be able to commit to that.”

Nurture the Right Connections
Relationships thrive with intentionality. Make time to check in, share wins, and celebrate others. Invest in the people and partnerships that align with your values and vision.

Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.

Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.