Burned Out in LA, She Rebuilt Her Life in Peru | Hannah Jenkinson | Founder, HJK Studio

What happens when you stop trying to make a broken system work and start building the life and business you really want? Hannah Jenkinson did just that. After years in the U.S. fashion world, she moved to Cusco, Peru, to create a sustainable knitwear brand on her own terms. In this episode, she shares what it’s really like to move abroad, build a purpose-driven fashion business from scratch, and partner with local women artisans to bring her designs to life. We talk about entrepreneurship, personal development for women, creative courage, mindset, and the power of redefining success on your own terms. Whether you're a designer, a change maker, or just someone dreaming of starting over, this conversation is full of inspiration and motivation. 00:00 Three missions: sustainability, community, craftsmanship 01:20 How a chance encounter led Hannah to Cusco 03:15 From Los Angeles burnout to Peruvian purpose 05:00 Starting a business abroad without speaking the language 07:00 The richness of Peru’s artisan culture 10:15 From Parsons to launching her own brand 13:00 The high of a first sale-and the rollercoaster that follows 14:20 The challenge of visibility for small fashion brands 16:00 What sustainability actually looks like in practice 18:40 Made-to-order vs. fast fashion 20:15 What’s broken in the global fashion industry 21:45 Could 8-year-old Hannah have imagined this life? 23:10 The cost of being far from family 25:00 Building community and self-care as an expat entrepreneur 27:00 What does powerful really mean? 28:45 Surprising herself with her own tenacity 30:00 Why there's no perfect movie about this kind of leap 34:00 What balance really looks like in Cusco 35:30 Letting go of the life others expected 40:30 What she needs now: partnership, funding, and next steps The Powerful Ladies podcast, hosted by business coach and strategist Kara Duffy features candid conversations with entrepreneurs, creatives, athletes, chefs, writers, scientists, and more. Every Wednesday, new episodes explore what it means to lead with purpose, create with intention, and define success on your own terms. Whether you're growing a business, changing careers, or asking bigger questions, these stories remind you: you're not alone, and you're more powerful than you think. Explore more at thepowerfulladies.com and karaduffy.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices