Progress Looks Like Pollen

This week, Charleston is talking about one thing—not the markets, not geopolitics, and not even the spring break traffic.

It’s pollen.

That yellow, powdery dust that coats our cars, porches, and the insides of our noses. The pollen collects on the side walks, looking like yellow chalk drawings from a week ago. It clings to everything, reminding you of allergies you didn’t even know you had. Every one is swallowing Zyrtec with our morning coffees, just waiting for the winds to shift and for life to get back to normal.

But here’s the thing about pollen—while it’s unbelievably annoying, it’s part of the process.

I grew up as the son of a beekeeper, so I saw pollen a lot differently. In our family, pollen wasn’t just something to wipe off your windshield—it was essential to honey production, a signal of growth. We collected it, studied it, used it. Pollen meant something good was coming.

During this time of year, we would have 6,000+ hives of honey bees in the central valley of California, specifically for the purpose of pollinating almonds—a first step for you to enjoy handfuls of delicious, roasted almonds.

For most people, though, pollen is just an obstacle. A cloud to complain about. A disruption before we can sit on furniture outside without being covered.

And yet, pollen is required for growth.

Pollen Is Part of the Process

In business, in leadership, in life—we all have seasons of pollen.

The inconvenient, messy moments before progress happens. The hiring process that drags on longer than expected. The operational bottleneck that forces a hard conversation. The stretch where revenue stalls, motivation dips, and nothing seems to work.

Pollen moments can feel chaotic, unproductive, even frustrating. But they’re necessary. They’re the things that lead to new growth, fresh ideas, and stronger businesses.

The Difference Between Those Who Win and Those Who Wait

The people and businesses that succeed are the ones that recognize pollen for what it is—not an obstacle, but a phase. A signal. A precursor to something better.

You’ll be tempted to only focus on the inconvenience. Don’t do it. You’ll miss the opportunity for growth.

Great leaders push through. They know that what feels like a setback today is often laying the groundwork for the next breakthrough. They don’t get stuck complaining about the pollen—they look ahead to the flowers.

So here’s to you. Here’s to the pollen in your business, in your career, in your life.

Here’s to pushing through.

And yes—don’t forget the Zyrtec.