Alchemy of Opportunity: Repurposing Resources to Create Business Success

In business, as in the kitchen, success often comes not from acquiring more but from creatively reimagining what you already have. The kitchen serves as a perfect metaphor for this practice, where seemingly ordinary or leftover ingredients can be transformed into something extraordinary. Through thoughtful intention and skillful repurposing, the kitchen becomes a crucible of alchemy, demonstrating how a shift in perspective can turn potential waste into a source of nourishment and delight.

The same principle applies to businesses and teams. Identifying existing resources, talents, and opportunities and finding new ways to apply them can lead to profound transformations. Whether it's repurposing a space, revitalizing a service, or re-engaging a team, the ability to see the potential in what you already have can create new possibilities and drive resilience.

In this post, we'll explore how the art of repurposing, whether ingredients in a recipe, traditions in a business model, or practices within a team can lead to growth and connection. We'll draw from a simple yet powerful recipe, a business case study of Uncommon Feasts, and research-backed insights into how intentional spaces foster success and community.

Turning the Ordinary into the Extraordinary: The Recipe

The magic of the kitchen often begins with a simple idea: how can we transform what we have into something that brings joy and comfort? Chilaquiles are a perfect example of this alchemy in action. Dating back to the Aztec civilization, this dish was born from the need to repurpose stale tortillas, transforming them into a comforting and vibrant meal. This idea of repurposing—taking something old or ordinary and giving it new life—is at the heart of culinary alchemy. Below I have included the recipe I have been following in my own kitchen:

Ingredients:

• 10 (stale) Corn Tortillas, cut into triangles

• 7 chiles guajillos without seeds

• 3 chiles de árbol without seeds

• 3-5 red tomatoes

• 3 green tomatoes

• 2 cups of chicken broth (I like to make mine from scratch each week)

• 4 cloves of garlic

• 1/2 onion

• 2 tsp cumin

• 2 tsp coriander

• 1 tsp epazote

• 1 tsp avocado oil

• 1 tsp Mexican oregano

• 4 fried eggs

• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro

• 1/2 cup fresh cheese (feta works well!)

• 1 ripe avocado, sliced

• Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. To make the sauce: in a pan, you want to fire roast your tomatoes, garlic, and onions first, and then place these in a large pot of water with the chiles. Wait about 20-30 minutes for the chiles and tomatoes to get very soft. Make sure to take off any stems on the chiles, as these will make the sauce bitter if you blend them.

2. Drain everything in the pot and place the ingredients into a blender with the broth. Transfer this mixture back into the pot, and simmer on low for 1-2 hours (the longer, the stronger the flavors!) with all the spices.

3. While the sauce is simmering, fry the tortilla triangles in the avocado oil until they're crispy and golden.

4. Next, fry the eggs.

5. Once the sauce is simmered, and you're happy with the flavor, add the tortillas to the sauce and serve immediately with the eggs on top, and garnish with fresh cilantro, avocado, and cheese. 

The beauty of chilaquiles lies in their transformative nature. What begins as stale tortillas ends as a vibrant, nourishing dish that brings people together around the table. The act of repurposing ingredients into something greater mirrors the broader theme of finding value and potential in what might otherwise be discarded.

I grew up eating chilaquiles both for breakfast and dinner because it is a dish that enables you to repurpose ingredients that are on their way out or perhaps that you have too much of. Every time they were served, they felt special because it became an experience and explosion of flavors of all the ingredients coming together.

The same principles of transformation and care that elevate chilaquiles into a memorable meal are also at work in the world of business—and especially in the hospitality sector. Let's explore how one business is using these ideas to create not only delicious dishes but also lasting connections within their community.

The Science of Repurposing: Research-Backed Insights

The concept of repurposing and transforming existing resources is not just a creative approach—it is also supported by research. Studies in organizational psychology highlight how resourcefulness and adaptability contribute to business resilience and innovation. According to a study on Organizational Resilience, businesses that cultivate resilience through resourcefulness and adaptive practices are more likely to thrive during periods of change and uncertainty (Organizational Resilience: The Theoretical Model and Research Implications, Xiao & Cao, 2017).

Innovation Resilience Behaviour suggests that organizations that emphasize repurposing and adapting existing resources can better handle adversity and maintain project success (Meeting Challenges with Resilience, Fey & Kock, 2022). The study found that teams demonstrating resilience by creatively utilizing available assets showed higher project success rates, even under challenging conditions.

Insights from Strategic Project Management emphasize the importance of leveraging existing resources within strategic projects and programs to achieve broader institutional change, especially in uncertain environments (Lifecycles, Processes, and Practices in Strategic Projects, Martinsuo et al., 2022). These findings reinforce the idea that repurposing is not merely a reaction to scarcity but a strategic approach to maximizing value and building long-term resilience.

Supporting this perspective, O'Reilly and Tushman's research on Dynamic Capabilities and Ambidexterity highlights how organizations that develop the ability to reconfigure assets and balance exploration with exploitation can sustain long-term success (Ambidexterity as a Dynamic Capability: Resolving the Innovator’s Dilemma, O’Reilly & Tushman, 2007). Their work underscores that the true alchemy in business lies in strategic leadership's role in adapting, integrating, and reimagining what is already within reach.

This idea aligns perfectly with the alchemical process—where the transformation of base elements into gold is not just a physical process but a metaphor for finding value and opportunity in what already exists. When businesses adopt this mindset, they not only build resilience but also create environments where teams feel empowered to contribute meaningfully to the organization’s goals.

Business Case Study: Uncommon Feasts—Scaling Impact Through Creative Repurposing

Uncommon Feasts, founded by Michelle Mulford in 2014, embodies the alchemy of the kitchen through its thoughtful and intentional approach to food and hospitality. Drawing inspiration from her Sicilian heritage, Michelle brings to life the art of transforming simple, seasonal ingredients into exquisite dishes that echo the warmth and connection of family celebrations.

At Uncommon Feasts, the kitchen is not merely a place for food preparation—it is a space of creation and care. Michelle's journey through various aspects of the food business, including roles as a pie maker and a personal chef, has honed her ability to craft meals that do more than just nourish—they foster a sense of belonging and they are a work of art. Her emphasis on presenting food with both elegance and comfort invite guests to feel at home, creating an alchemical experience where ordinary ingredients become part of extraordinary, shared memories.

I first met Michelle just before the COVID-19 pandemic, during a breakfast at Uncommon Feasts following a yoga session at the Pinkham Building in Lynn, MA. As the pandemic unfolded, I witnessed firsthand the devastating impact on the hospitality and service industry. Amidst this hardship, Michelle demonstrated remarkable resilience and creativity, transforming her catering business into a sanctuary that offered a sense of home when nothing felt right. Her Wednesday pizza and wine nights became a beacon of comfort and connection, showcasing her gift for turning simple ingredients and shared meals into an alchemical experience that nourished both body and soul—not only in the kitchen but throughout the entire community.

Most recently, Michelle is once again pivoting Uncommon Feasts, this time toward a curated and seasonal personal chef service with a special emphasis on dietary needs and health goals. This new direction encapsulates everything people have loved about Uncommon Feasts: “handcrafted, seasonally driven, and sustainable food offered in an unfussy and elegant way”. By scaling her vision, Michelle continues to demonstrate how creative repurposing can make nutritious and delicious food an accessible reality, proving that transformation is not a single act but a continual process of reimagining possibilities.

Creating Intentional Spaces for Transformation

Whether in the kitchen or the boardroom, the alchemy of repurposing is a powerful tool for success. The story of chilaquiles transforming stale tortillas into a comforting dish, Michelle Mulford’s ability to adapt Uncommon Feasts into a welcoming community space, and the research that underscores the strength of resourcefulness all point to the same truth: transformation begins with intention.

To build a resilient and thriving business, start by assessing what you already have—your team’s strengths, existing assets, and untapped opportunities. Approach challenges with a creative and resourceful mindset, and nurture spaces that encourage experimentation and connection. When we focus on repurposing what we have, we not only create new opportunities but also foster environments where innovation and community can flourish.

The true alchemy lies in our ability to see beyond the surface, to find gold in the ordinary, and to cultivate spaces where both people and ideas can transform. By leading with intention and embracing the art of repurposing, businesses can build lasting success that nourishes teams, clients, and communities alike.