Meet Hannah Jackson: The Story Behind Acquired Taste

Because nowadays, every conversation starts like this: Hi! I’m Hannah, a Virgo-Libra cusp, born on September 23.

For the past six years, I’ve called Austin, Texas, home, but my roots trace back to the vibrant streets of New York City’s Lower East Side, where I was born and raised. As a first-generation American, my story is enriched by the cultures of my mother from Guatemala and my father from Sierra Leone—both of whom immigrated to the U.S. as teenagers, bringing their unique traditions into our family.

From New York to Austin: Planting New Roots

I made the move from New York City to Austin—a decision that changed my life in ways I couldn’t have imagined. While the full story is one for another time, I’ll say this: I arrived here married and found myself divorced just six months later.

Despite the challenges, I made the choice to stay in Austin, to plant my roots, and to build a life on my own. It’s the longest I’ve ever lived outside of New York, the longest I’ve been on my own, and the farthest I’ve been from my family.

Austin has brought me independence like I’ve never known before. From becoming a two-time homeowner to building my business, this city has taught me resilience and self-reliance—and for that, I’m eternally grateful.

A Winding Road to Entrepreneurship

My journey into entrepreneurship wasn’t a straight line; it was more like a winding road with plenty of interesting stops along the way. At 18, while most of my peers were heading off to college, I decided to dive straight into the workforce, starting as a bank teller. Little did I know, this was just the beginning of a diverse career path that would eventually lead me to launch Acquired Taste.

The Draw of Veterinary Medicine

Since childhood, I’ve always dreamed of becoming a veterinarian. My love for animals and curiosity about how things work led me to explore this career path in my early twenties. My motto has always been, “If you want to truly understand how things work, you start in support.”

That’s why I started as a receptionist in a veterinary clinic. It was my way in—not just to gain experience, but to learn the inner workings of the field. Over eight years, I worked my way up to a veterinary technician, diving deep into the day-to-day realities of animal care.

This journey taught me invaluable lessons about resilience, empathy, and problem-solving. While I eventually realized that veterinary medicine wasn’t my ultimate path, the experience shaped how I approach challenges and opportunities today.

From Fashion to Staffing: Finding My Path

After leaving veterinary medicine, I made an unexpected leap into fashion, working for a luxury men’s retail company (Canali) that felt straight out of The Devil Wears Prada. I began as a receptionist and quickly moved into e-commerce management, overseeing everything from warehouse operations to customer service and online orders.

This role taught me the importance of branding, customer experience, and thoughtful design. It solidified my belief that every step in my career was preparing me for something bigger—though I didn’t know what that was yet.

From there, I transitioned into staffing, an entirely different world that came with its own set of challenges and lessons.

Lessons Learned in Staffing

Since moving to Austin, I’ve been working in staffing—a cut-throat, fast-paced industry that’s taught me more about human behavior than I ever thought possible. Working in a staffing agency, especially in the realm of HR, has been eye-opening.

Every day, I navigate uncomfortable moments, like dealing with employees’ personal issues or watching the tug-of-war between corporate policies and individual needs. The HR world is… well, I don’t even know if I have the words to describe it.

It constantly leaves me questioning: What came first—the corporate “bullshit” or the mistreatment of businesses by employees?

What I’ve realized is that, ultimately, you can’t control people. You can’t control anything. And that’s one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned in life:

Control is an illusion.

It’s a mirage we all chase, thinking it will give us stability or clarity, but the truth is, it doesn’t exist. Once I accepted that, it changed how I approach challenges—not just in staffing but in life and business as a whole.

The Foundation of Acquired Taste

Throughout my 20-year career, I’ve amassed a wealth of customer service and administrative experience. These roles groomed me for the leap into entrepreneurship, giving me the confidence to channel my creativity, passion for minimalist design, and love of luxury into something uniquely my own—Acquired Taste.

I’ve always been drawn to aesthetics. I believe that luxury isn’t about being loud; it’s about commanding a presence through simplicity and elegance. My vision for Acquired Taste is to create home decor that speaks quietly but powerfully, bringing warmth, style, and a touch of personality to any space.

Music, Writing, and Creative Inspiration

Outside of business, I’m a bit of a music junkie. I love discovering new artists and sharing them with friends, always staying on top of emerging music. Some of my favorites include Phantogram, Metric, Biig Piig, Miguel, Dizzy Fae, Kendrick Lamar, Fabiana Palladino, and The Quilz.

Music fuels my creativity, and I often find inspiration in the beats and lyrics that fill my playlists.

Writing is another passion of mine—especially haikus, poetry, and flash fiction. While sharing my writing with the world can feel intimidating, it’s a side of me that I’m eager to explore further as I grow with Acquired Taste.

Blending Life’s Experiences Into a Brand

So here I am, blending everything I’ve learned—from New York to Austin, from fashion to veterinary medicine—into a brand that I’m incredibly proud of. Acquired Taste is more than just a business; it’s a reflection of my journey, my love for thoughtful design, and my desire to bring a little bit of charm and calm into your home.

Explore Acquired Taste

Discover how intentional design can elevate your space:

• Handmade Incense Holders: Thoughtfully crafted to balance style and function.
• Incense: A curated collection of unique scents designed to ground, uplift, and create meaningful moments in your home.

Acquired Taste is my way of sharing beauty, simplicity, and intentionality with the world.