Cultivating Legacy: How One Man’s Story Grew into a Movement
Steve Jobs once said, “You can only connect the dots looking backward.”
This story is more than a case study—it’s the essence of why Cultivation exists. Our mission isn’t just to grow brands; it’s to cultivate stories that stand the test of time.
This journey began not with a viral video, nor with a meticulously planned strategy, but with a simple, yet profound question:
What is truly worth building?
Experienced
The Seed of an Idea
In 2021, Nick Easterbrook found himself at a crossroads. His e-commerce venture had been both a success and a burden—hundreds of thousands of dollars in sales, yet the emotional toll was far greater. A fractured team, a failed partnership, and a system that no longer worked.
And worst of all? It didn’t feel like him.
.
If he was going to build something again, it had to be undeniable. It couldn’t be fragile. It had to transcend borders—beyond a single language, beyond a single region. It had to be something people genuinely cared about, something built on real value, not just entertainment.
But what?
Nick was a gym guy. A marketing guy. A curious guy.
He just needed the right story.
.
Experienced
The Apple Never Falls Far from the Tree
One morning, after the gym, Nick stopped by his father’s bonsai collection. It wasn’t just any collection—it was 800 of the most refined trees in North America.
His father, David Easterbrook, wasn’t just another hobbyist. He was a lifelong bonsai master, the former curator of the Montreal Botanical Garden’s Bonsai Collection, a man whose hands had shaped nature itself.
.
But despite his accomplishments, David had never received mainstream recognition.
That morning, while varnishing a new bonsai bench, David muttered something:
“What’s the point? I won’t even be around in 20 years to need this protection.”
Nick stopped him.
“First off, you can’t say things like that. You’re going to live to 100, like your trees. Second—what happens to all this? To these trees? To everything you know? One day, you’ll be gone, and all this wisdom will disappear with you. That’s not just sad—that’s unfair to the world.”
David exhaled.
“I’m retired. What do you want me to do about it?”
Nick smiled.
“Nothing different. Just keep doing what you’ve always done. I’ll take care of the rest.”
And just like that, the seed was planted.
.
The Soil for Growth
A brand—like a bonsai doesn’t grow by accident. It takes time, patience, and the right conditions.
David had something most brands lack:
1. Authenticity
He wasn’t chasing fame. His passion was real. He had no phone, no understanding of social media. He just loved trees.
2. An Impossible-to-Replicate Concept
300-year-old trees. A miniature forest cultivated for 45 years. These numbers were mind-bending in a world addicted to instant gratification.
3. Coachability
Despite being in his 70s, David listened. He knew he didn’t know, and that was his strength.
Explosive Growth
The world had never seen anything like this.
Suddenly, bonsai wasn’t just for enthusiasts—it was for everyone. In a post-pandemic world divided by opinions and algorithms, David’s videos became a place of peace, a sanctuary where people simply watched a gentleman care for his trees.
Within a year, David’s Instagram hit 100,000 followers.
But we weren’t just growing one account.
To funnel traffic to @DavidEasterbrookBonsai, we launched 3 supporting pages:
@BonsaiSociety
Creative Director
@BonsaiMentor
Operations Director
@BonsaiExpert
Senior Developer
Each page had different content, but all subtly led back to David.
A year later, they all reached 100,000 followers, too. Yet something became clear: managing multiple accounts was spreading resources thin.
Nick made a strategic decision—@BonsaiSociety would become the flagship brand.
And that’s when the growth truly accelerated.
Awards & Recognition
Upcoming Agency 2021
App Innovation 2020
Creative Branding 2020
Web Awards Sept 1019
Branding & Design
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Research & Development
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Divi
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