Nex’s First Year: Reflections and the Road Ahead for 2025

I didn’t decide to write this reflection until the very last day of the year.

Something about sitting down to recount the journey felt daunting—but also like the start of a meaningful tradition. If I write this now, I know I’ll want to write one every year moving forward.

First, I want to express my gratitude. To my co-founders, Adam and Sean: thank you for believing in me to lead Nex without hesitation.

To everyone who has attended our events, shaped our growing community, trusted our mission to travel in new and meaningful ways, and purchased products from a brand you had never heard of before—thank you. You are the reason Nex exists.

A Personal Journey of Travel

My love for travel started in an unconventional way.

I grew up in China during the one-child policy era. While many families poured their attention into their only child, my parents did something bold: at just 10 years old, they sent me to live alone in Shanghai.

That was my first true travel experience. I had to learn the dialect, adapt to a new culture, and figure out how to navigate life independently.

Looking back, I realize that experience shaped me in ways I couldn’t understand as a child. It taught me resilience, curiosity, and how to find meaning in places unfamiliar to me.

That journey didn’t stop there. As a teenager, I moved to Canada as a homestay student. Then I went on to college, got married, and spent 13 years working in the U.S. Every move was a reinvention—an opportunity to immerse myself in a new culture, embrace different ways of life, and connect with new communities.

In 2023, when my wife and I decided to move back to Shanghai, I realized I wanted to build something that reflected what travel truly means to me. Nex was born from that realization.

Adam and Sean, who also share deep connections to travel and global living, joined me to build a brand that goes beyond utility. Because, let’s be honest—no one travels just because their luggage works well. We travel to experience places, cultures, and people. For us, the destination is what makes travel meaningful.

Launching Nex: From Hawaii to the World

In July 2024, we hosted our first destination launch event in Hawaii for the Hawaii Edition collection. Hawaii was a natural choice for me—it’s where I proposed to my wife, and the islands hold a special place in my heart.

We didn’t want the event to feel like a business conference. Instead, we stayed true to our mission by organizing cultural activities, hosting meaningful talks, and sharing meals that reflected the true spirit of Hawaii.

We also aired our first episode of Nex Up, featuring Mulahia, a native Hawaiian, cultural practitioner, and musician.

The episode, which included a heartfelt discussion between Mulahia and Adam, explored the challenges, history, and future of Hawaii and its communities. It was a proud moment for us because we want every Nex Up episode to bring local voices to the forefront, giving travelers a chance to connect with the heart of each destination.

Connecting Offline

In November, we hosted our first offline pop-up at South Coast Plaza in Southern California.

The feedback was overwhelmingly positive.

It was a chance to speak directly with our customers and hear their thoughts. While we don’t have the budget for a permanent store yet, this event made it clear that offline experiences matter.

 

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In 2025, we plan to host more pop-ups—maybe even a road trip across the U.S. from the West Coast to the East Coast. If you have a city in mind, let us know!

Challenges and Lessons

Starting a company isn’t without surprises.

This year, we faced an unexpected lawsuit from Monos, a Canadian travel company that claimed a share of our revenue. It was baffling. Even in the worst-case scenario, our revenue wouldn’t justify their legal expenses. But if experience taught me anything it’s that when your competition notices you it often signals you’re doing something right.

Through it all, we’ve stayed focused on our North Star: building a community of travelers who want to experience the world in meaningful ways.

 

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Looking Ahead to 2025

Reflecting on our first five months, I’m humbled by the love our customers have shown for our products and our mission. Many have called our launch one of the most successful they’ve ever seen.

In 2025, our focus will shift from external growth drivers like paid ads and influencer collaborations to internal growth through our community.

It’s a slower, harder path—but the right one. We’ll focus on events, storytelling, and product development that deepen connections with the people who believe in Nex’s mission.

Our plans include:

• Launching the Japan Edition in Kyoto with the help of our ambassadors.

• Hosting a 5-day launch event for active community members in Japan.

• Expanding our presence in retail stores to make our collections easier to experience in person.

• Organizing localized community events to connect Nex travelers across the US.

• Featuring our community ambassadors in more Nex Up episodes to share their stories and connections with every destination that inspires our collections.

At Nex, we invite you to join us if you’re a traveler—not a tourist.

Thank you for being part of this journey. Here’s to 2025 and all the destinations we’ll explore together.

 

Jackson Wang

Founder & CEO, Nex