Empowering Women Through Ethical Design: Jenny Boucher’s Interview on Handmade Goods, Cultural Preservation, and Social Impact
Let’s talk about one of our favourite podcasts; Jenny Boucher, our co-founder, sat down with Wendi and Norma from the Transactional Love Podcast—and it felt like catching up with two old friends.
Wendi and Norma are the kind of hosts who make you feel instantly at home. Their podcast explores why we buy and how our purchases connect us to meaning, memory, and each other. They’re passionate about local economies, thoughtful storytelling, and uncovering the human side of retail. In other words, they speak our language.
During their conversation with Jenny, they dove deep into what it means to build a business that prioritizes intention, community, and beauty. Jenny unpacked D.A.R.’s mission, and Wendi and Norma reflected on their relationships with the spaces and stories they surround themselves with.
Packaging picture
One thing they both loved? Our packaging. They mentioned how they could feel the care and quality, from the unique, tasteful colour of the packaging to the notes included with each item.
So if you haven’t yet, grab your favourite drink, pop in your headphones, and tune in. We promise it’s more than a podcast—a conversation about meaning, design, and the love we put into our creations. In this interview, Jenny pulls back the curtain, sharing how D.A.R. is not just a brand—it’s a life philosophy shaped by community, purpose, and culture.
Creating with purpose
Hearing Jenny talk about first-time motherhood was one of the most touching parts of the conversation. She doesn’t separate being a mom from being a business owner; she embraces how they intertwine.
D.A.R. isn’t just her work; it’s part of her family’s rhythm. Whether packaging gemstones or spending quality time in rural Peru with family, Jenny and Mauricio bring the same sense of care and thoughtfulness. It’s that realness that makes her story resonate so deeply. This message is echoed through their business with a dedication to ethical sourcing and sustainability, She’s not chasing the mundane of everyday trinkets; she finds the harmony in meaningful items
She’s not chasing the busyness that life presents—she’s chasing harmony.
This commitment to balance is also woven into D.A.R.’s mission. As a mother, Jenny sees firsthand the importance of creating a future where women—especially those in rural and indigenous communities—can thrive independently and economically. This vision of motherhood and leadership fuels D.A.R.’s work: empowering women through craft, ownership, and dignity. In many communities D.A.R. partners with, women are central to family and creative traditions. Giving them platforms to share their skills is a powerful way of promoting permanent empowerment for themselves and their children.
Here, in the heart of rural communities, you begin to see how handmade goods empower women in rural communities through connection, care, and creativity.
Objects with Intention, Created with Heart
"Everything you bring into your home has meaning."
This simple idea is where the soul of D.A.R. lives. Jenny talks about the joy of creating objects with intention—pieces that aren’t just beautiful but invite play and connection. There’s a tic-tac-toe game loved by the host, for instance, designed to spark laughter between generations, and a puzzle-piece cutting board that turns prepping dinner into a bonding moment.
Wendi and Norma discuss how these items created togetherness for them and their children, bridging time spent with intentional actions. It’s a reflection of the role of craft in women’s economic empowerment and fostering direct social impact.
What D.A.R Means
But what exactly does D.A.R. stand for? Jenny explains it simply but powerfully: it means profitable artisanal development. It’s a play on the Spanish verb “dar,” meaning “to give”—a fitting metaphor for a company that gives back to the hands that make it all possible.
For Jenny and Mauricio, it’s about creating a system where artisans aren’t just hired labour—they’re partners. Their knowledge, culture, and traditions become part of a collaborative design process. The result is a business that respects the craft and ensures it can thrive financially, not just survive artistically. In other words, D.A.R. isn’t charity—it’s empowerment through profit, sustainability, and pride in craft.
D.A.R Proyectos partners with local communities in Peru, preserving time-honored crafts through design. From handwoven textiles to gemstone pieces, the focus is always on honoring the people and incorporating ethical approaches to cross-cultural collaboration.
From the Jungle to the Studio
Jenny takes us through her travels of Asia, Europe, and ultimately Peru, where she fell in love with indigenous methodologies. One story she shared gave everyone pause: she had visited a jungle community where patterns were painted through singing. The artisans didn’t just create; they channelled stories, spirit, and culture into every piece.
These experiences shaped D.A.R.’s foundation: preservation through opportunity. The pair is determined to create a business model that doesn’t just admire these traditions but gives them the platform to create cultural preservation through social impact.
The Magic of Mystery and Joy
Jenny lights up when she talks about each design. One piece she always returns to is the Soma Cube—not a new invention, but D.A.R.’s take on something timeless and beautiful. It represents everything the brand stands for: intentional design, play, and heritage. It’s not just a sculpture; it’s a celebration of form, challenge, and artistry—familiar geometric shapes reimagined through an artisanal lens.
She mentions the joy of each product, the joy of making it, the joy of giving, and the joy of receiving.
A Community to Remember
At the end of the day, D.A.R. is not just a design brand. It’s a partner-run, family-oriented studio in Peru that wants to make you feel good about your sustainable and ethical choices.
It’s this gentle, rooted perspective that makes D.A.R. Proyectos are so compelling. Thank you to the team at Transactional Love for having such an open and fun conversation about D.A.R. Proyectos. Feel free to listen to the podcast and visit our website to join our little community!