In this episode, I sit down with the two founders of Bonsaigers to hear their stories, learn about their backgrounds, and discover how they built the successful Bonsaigers company and virtual bonsai exhibition. We focus on Bonsaigers X 2026, an innovative online bonsai competition that continues to grow year after year, bringing together bonsai enthusiasts from around the world. Participants submit photos of their trees and compete in a bracket-style tournament, with trees eliminated round by round until a champion is crowned. With some really cool prizes up for grabs, this unique format makes bonsai competition fun, accessible, and engaging for the global bonsai community. It was awesome hearing how the founders' vision has grown into such a successful event and learning more about the people behind it!
Learn more at Bonsaigers.com, and check out the Bonsaigers X 2026 competition using the link below!
Chapters
(00:00:00) - Intro and greetings
(00:01:55) - What is Bonsaigers and the origin of the name
(00:04:16) - How the founders met
(00:06:21) - Starting Bonsaigers during COVID
(00:09:54) - Building the Instagram community and inspiration
(00:13:15) - Deeper meaning: bonsai and connecting with nature
(00:15:16) - Products, services, courses and team building
(00:20:01) - Shoutout to designs and early merch success
(00:21:58) - DJing side passion
(00:25:47) - Future vision for Bonsaigers
(00:28:44) - Climate awareness and bonsai's role
(00:30:40) - Orticolario fair experience and hands-on courses
(00:34:19) - Engaging new generations into bonsai
(00:37:32) - Tradsman inspiration and Japan comparisons
(00:40:21) - Bonsai heritage project for artists' collections
(00:46:49) - Switching to the Bonsaiger X competition
(00:47:00) - What the virtual exhibition is about
(00:52:49) - Breaking traditional exhibition norms
(00:55:58) - Submission dates and bracket tournament format
(00:59:15) - Judging system and community voting
(01:00:48) - New best in show weekly categories
(01:03:24) - Importance of participation and education
(01:10:35) - Photo rules and authenticity concerns
(01:14:58) - Selecting this year's judges
(01:17:51) - Idea for judge commentary on trees
(01:21:14) - Prizes and trophy reveal
(01:24:03) - Idea of a future champions showdown
(01:25:08) - Community, positivity and growing bonsai culture
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