From Kitchen Tables to a Movement: The NextGen Purpose Story

By Justine Reichman

Founder, NextGen Purpose

When I launched NextGenChef, I had a simple but audacious idea: what if food entrepreneurs didn’t have to figure it all out alone? What if we could create a space where aspiring foodpreneurs had direct access to the industry’s best minds, where knowledge flowed freely, and where success wasn’t hoarded but shared?

That question sparked something unexpected: a movement.

I started with online meetups and educational events, connecting food business owners with mentors and resources they’d never otherwise access. The response was immediate and electric. People were hungry, not just for information, but for connection. They wanted to build businesses that mattered, that regenerated rather than depleted, that were local, affordable, and actually sustainable.

But here’s what I learned quickly: success alone isn’t enough. We needed a new model entirely.

That’s when NextGenChef evolved into something bigger. We weren’t just building a network; we were dismantling the old gatekeeping structures of the food industry. We brought together established leaders and emerging talent on equal footing, creating a community where power and knowledge weren’t concentrated at the top but circulated freely. Connection. Collaboration. Innovation. These weren’t just buzzwords; they became our operating system.

The community showed us what was possible. Industry experts didn’t just show up; they stayed. They mentored. They invested their time and wisdom because they believed in what we were building together. That’s when I realized: this is why it’s a movement. Movements happen when people see themselves in something larger, when individual success becomes collective progress.

Then came the awakening. As our community grew and conversations deepened, we couldn’t ignore the obvious: food isn’t isolated. It’s the thread connecting everything: our health, our planet, fashion, beauty, lifestyle choices. Sustainability isn’t just about what’s on our plates; it’s about how every industry operates. 

So NextGenChef expanded, created NextGen Purpose, and suddenly we weren’t just talking about regenerative farming practices; we were exploring how the same principles apply across industries.

Our podcast conversations on Essential Ingredients became more ambitious. We started connecting dots others hadn’t considered: how fashion waste relates to food systems, how beauty industry practices mirror agricultural ones, how health and sustainability are inseparable. The community didn’t just grow; it exploded with curiosity and purpose driven action.

Here’s the truth about impact: it multiplies when industries stop operating in silos. Imagine fashion brands collaborating with food innovators on waste reduction. Picture beauty companies learning regenerative practices from farmers. 

Envision health professionals partnering with sustainable food businesses to address systemic wellness issues. This interconnection isn’t theoretical; it’s our roadmap for real systemic change.

We’ve already seen it work. NextGenChef entrepreneurs have launched businesses that are reshaping their local food economies. Our mentorship programs have connected hundreds of entrepreneurs with resources that transformed their ventures. 

Through NextGen Purpose, we’ve sparked conversations that led to cross industry collaborations no one saw coming. Each success validates our model: when we share knowledge and pool resources, we don’t diminish our own success; we amplify everyone’s potential.

But here’s where I need to be honest: I can’t do this alone. No one can. Movements require momentum, and momentum requires people, lots of them, showing up with curiosity and commitment.

This is your invitation.

If you’ve ever felt that flicker of possibility, that sense that business could be different, more impactful, more connected, this is for you. Whether you’re in food, fashion, beauty, health, or simply believe the future depends on regenerative practices and collaborative power, we need your perspective, your energy, your questions.

Be curious. Challenge assumptions. Bring your expertise. Share your struggles. Join the conversations. Attend the events. Connect with mentors. Become one.

Because the next generation of business isn’t about competing for scraps of an old system. It’s about building something entirely new: together.

This is NextGen Purpose. This is how we create accessibility, reduce waste, leverage resources, and make real systemic change.

This is more than a community.

This is a movement. And it starts with you.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Connect With Justine

www.nextgenpurpose.com

@essential.ingredients