Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Jenny Ballou of Durango, Colorado

Jenny Ballou shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Good morning Jenny, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What is a normal day like for you right now?
My mornings are slow and peaceful. I take time to breathe, reflect, and enjoy a warm cup of coffee, letting my mind settle and align with my vision for the day. I then dive into social media for an hour before heading out for a morning walk where I listen to one of my favorite podcasts.

By mid-morning, I dive into building personal and lifestyle brands for clients. I work part-time in a way that feels purposeful, not rushed, letting my creativity guide me as I shape projects.

Late afternoon, I take Bailey (my assistant) for a long walk and to play with her friends. These walks aren’t just exercise, they’re my time to clear my mind, connect with people, and let new ideas flow.

Throughout the day, I make sure to nourish myself with healthy meals and take wellness breaks, such as stretching or simply pausing to breathe fresh air.

In the evenings, after I make a healthy dinner and enjoy a little downtime. I also focus on Wanderluxe Studio, creating content, systems, and experiences that help others elevate their brand.

By the end of the day, I feel accomplished and rested. I’ve created a routine that allows me to nurture my business, care for my mind and body, spend quality time with my golden pup assistant Bailey, and stay true to the freedom-based life I’ve built. Every day reminds me that success isn’t just about productivity, it’s about living fully, intentionally, and enjoying my time.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hello, I’m Jenny Ballou – brand strategist, designer, photographer, educator, with a golden assistant always by my side and an editorial creative approach to everything I create.

Wanderluxe didn’t happen overnight. Its foundation was born in Tulum, in a moment where freedom, inspiration, and clarity all collided. After spending a month in the hospital battling COVID pneumonia and respiratory failure—and facing a near-death experience—I realized I needed more than recovery; I needed renewal.

A few months later, I found myself in Tulum, celebrating life with friends, swimming with sea turtles, and discovering I could breathe easier underwater than I had on land. That moment shook me to my core. It reminded me that life is meant to be intentional, beautiful, and fully lived, and it reignited the vision that became Wanderluxe Studio.

At Wanderluxe Studio, I blend strategy and soul, design and purpose, freedom and joy – where story, design, and experience meet. Every brand I create carries that same energy; it’s not just about visuals or aesthetics, it’s about transformation. When you align with your purpose, creativity flows, freedom unfolds, and your story begins to wander beyond the ordinary. That’s what I help my clients build: brands that feel alive, authentic, and inspired – crafted to mirror the freedom-filled life they’re meant to live.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
From the moment I was born, I’ve turned everything into something creative. Even as I navigated societal pressures and the expectations of “what we were told to be,” I stayed true to the person I was always meant to become.

I’ve explored every facet of the creative world – experimenting, learning, and growing along the way. Now, I’m here to help others build brands and businesses that transform their knowledge into income and create the life they were truly meant to live.

I’ve always felt a deep compassion for people stuck in careers that don’t align with who they really are, because our time on this planet is so limited. We deserve to wake up every day doing work we love, living our purpose, and savoring every moment of life.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering has a way of revealing truths that success never could. When I found myself lying in a hospital bed, fighting COVID pneumonia & respiratory failure, gasping for air, fighting to stay alive, simply trying to keep my head above water, I came face to face with the fragility of life. In those moments, achievements, accolades, and ambition fell away. What remained was clarity & presence. And a deep understanding that freedom begins with the choices we make for ourselves, especially when everything else is stripped away.

It taught me to value health, time, family, loved ones, and joy above all else and to recognize what’s truly worth my energy. I came to see that creativity, purpose, and freedom aren’t luxuries; they’re necessities. That realization now shapes everything I do…in my business, my brand, and my life.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
The people I admire most aren’t defined by status, power, or influence, they’re defined by character. It’s the ones who stay humble in success, lead with integrity, and treat others with genuine kindness who inspire me deeply. I’m drawn to those who move through life with curiosity, courage, and heart, and who show up not to impress, but to make a difference. The ones who help others grow, evolve, and believe in themselves, even in the smallest, everyday ways. Their influence isn’t about show; it’s authentic, lasting, and touches people in real ways.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
I would travel to see the world in all its beauty, spend as much time as possible with my family and my sweet golden retriever pup, publish the book I’ve been writing for years, get my artwork into galleries, chase every adventure on my bucket list, nurture my body, and do everything in my power to stay healthy and fully alive, so that one day, I will have the chance to meet my grandchildren. I’ve already checked off so many experiences…traveling, chasing sunsets, capturing sacred moments through my photography, feeling the thrill of adventure, and finding happiness in everyday moments.

This commitment carries even more weight because of my father, who never achieved what he worked so hard for. He spent his days chasing an idea of success tied to work and retirement, only to pass away at 54 before reaching it. I carry his story with me as a constant reminder to live with intention, presence, and love, not just ambition.

Living this truth hasn’t always been easy. Some days are exhilarating, others humbling, but every moment teaches resilience, joy, and presence. Recently, I was diagnosed with a serious autoimmune condition, which I believe is tied to the long-term aftermath of COVID. If I had complete freedom from financial or logistical worry, I would spend the next ten years traveling the world, photographing, creating, and showing up for both people and animals along the way.

The world we live in is chaotic, uncertain, and often unforgiving, but it has also made one thing crystal clear: what truly matters is connection, compassion, curiosity, and courage. Life is too short to spend energy on what doesn’t light me up, align with my purpose, or bring me closer to freedom and creativity. From this moment forward, I choose yes: yes to adventure, yes to curiosity, yes to living fully, and yes to helping others and the creatures who share this world with us. Every breath is a true gift, and I am determined to spend mine on what truly matters, not what others expect, but on what sets my soul on fire.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://wanderluxestudio.com
• Instagram: wanderluxecreativestudio
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennyballou
• Other: https://www.pinterest.com/wanderluxecreativestudio

Image Credits
Photo Credits: Jenny Ballou Photography + Wanderluxe Studio