Aloha 🌸

I'm Hyojeong, CEO and founder r of NomadHer, and I'm writing this from Paris, where the entire NomadHer journey first began. I came back to Paris, the very place where I literally started with $100 and I'm still waking up every single day with joy, excitement, and anticipation for a new adventure. I actually love Espresso a lot.

This year, in 2026, we received an award from the Cartier Women's Initiative, which celebrates 30 amazing female founders from around the world who are shining a light on global impact. It was a long journey, writing over 30 pages of business plans and going through more than 10 rounds of interviews with our community members and investors.When I heard the news that we were one of the 30 chosen fellows, I thought, "Who else, if not us?"

To be completely frank, my confidence was at an all-time low last year. Extreme burnout, self-imposed pressure, and the feeling that "I'm not enough, I'm not perfect" were holding me back.But when I returned from a trip to Mexico in January this year, where I had gained so much inspiration right after my university years I felt like I could finally breathe again.

Drinking horchata, eating tacos al pastor in Mexico City, and simply hanging out at Parque España watching people exercise and walk their dogs gave me so much pure joy. That’s the true power of travel. ¿Sí, verdad?  

Since starting NomadHer, the responsibilities have brought immense pressure, and to be honest, things became far "too serious" than I ever expected. All I originally wanted was to eat unlimited tteokbokki, spend casual time with my sister Meungdi, and travel wherever I wished to go.

I realized, "I need to just enjoy this journey and process again."So, here is my message to anyone starting a new journey somewhere in the world:Let's just enjoy this imperfect process and the journey that we are building step by step. We just need to listen to our inner voice and never forget that somewhere in the world, people are watching us build everything from scratch, piece by piece.

A NomadHer member named Zoe, who has been with us since 2021, messaged me this morning (literally) in our app's group chat, saying, "I've been watching your journey since the very beginning at Station F 5 years ago, and you are still creating and improving little by little."

To whoever is reading this, and whoever is at the stage of making another big change in life: I just want to remind you that we all have the power to feel joy and embrace the process as it is. No one can beat those who find true joy not to win over someone else or to compete, but to overcome ourselves and the past versions of who we were.

She Can Travel Anywhere, as always.

As the founder of NomadHer, I wear a lot of different hats and lead various projects. Here is a program I’d love for you to join!

We are hosting "She Can Found Anywhere" in partnership with Busan the city in South Korea where I was born and raised. We're selecting 15 ambitious female visionaries from around the world, and I will be personally leading the program. Creating a project like this has always been a dream of mine!

If you have any questions, feel free to drop me a message on the NomadHer App or leave a comment below.

The program runs from October 6th to 9th, so be sure to apply as soon as possible!

NomadHer: She Can Travel Anywhere" (Paris Edition) is happening on Saturday, September 26th, at Station F in Paris, France! We would love to hear your feedback, your stories, and what being part of this community has meant to you—especially during this special occasion, as it marks NomadHer's 8th anniversary. Come join us and let’s share a lot of laughs. We will share all the updates as the priority on the NomadHer App.

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