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.

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