Hey - I actually know people who have created pretty busy forums by starting with "fake" member discussions.

They would create their own members, ask and answer their own questions, even get into very heated discussions with ... themselves...
I am not sure if this is the best advice, but it's true and it worked for some of them!

However, their key to success was starting threads so interesting, informative, and/or controversial, that visitors' attention and the will to participate would be captured as soon as anyone visited the site.
It's not an easy thing to develop a busy forum, but it's not impossible, so keep on trying! Good Luck!
Oh, there is a slight mistake in your slogan, it should read: "A community that is just waiting to grow."
regards,
voytek