PBºN Episode - 24

Written By Live Digital Box

Summary

This podcast features Sarah Cohen, an attorney, entrepreneur, and active community member in Palm Beach County. She shares her deep roots in the area, her upbringing, and her career path, including her impactful work with the Legal Aid Society advocating for foster children. Cohen also discusses her two entrepreneurial ventures, "Sarah's Slow Jam" (gourmet jams) and "Pineapple Island Company" (tropical home decor), detailing their origins, growth, and future aspirations. Throughout the interview, she emphasizes the importance of community involvement, mentorship, and balancing professional and personal life.

Key topics

  • Sarah Cohen's Background:

    • Deep Roots in Palm Beach County: Third-generation resident, family history in West Palm Beach since the 1920s (Trio Produce Market).

    • Childhood: Outdoorsy, active, emphasis on exploration.

    • Family: Oldest of three; brother is an attorney, sister is an OB/GYN resident.

    • Parents as Role Models: Mother's diverse career (nurse, hospital administration, fundraising for FAU Honors College) and father's dedication as an orthopedic surgeon, emphasizing passion and community service (accepting goods in lieu of payment).

    • Education: Benjamin High School (14-year club), George Washington University (Washington D.C.), studied abroad in Alicante, Spain.

    • Post-College: Taught English and pursued a Master's degree at Tel Aviv University.

    • Path to Law: Initially unsure about law, interned in estate planning, realized the potential to help people through law.

  • Legal Career (Legal Aid Society):

    • Organization's Mission: The Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County has 24 different projects; Cohen works with the Foster Children's Project and Juvenile Advocacy Project.

    • Foster Children's Project: Provides legal representation for children aged 0-11 in licensed foster care in Palm Beach County (a unique service in the state).

    • Juvenile Advocacy Project: Similar to the above but without age limits and for children not necessarily in licensed care, appointed by judges.

    • Overarching Goal: Permanency for children (e.g., reunification with family, adoption).

    • Personal Story (Abby): Recounts the impactful story of a 12-year-old girl who transformed from a troubled youth into a thriving adopted young woman due to intervention and support, highlighting the "six-week mark" for children adjusting to foster care.

    • Motivation: Finds immense satisfaction in facilitating adoptions and strengthening families.

  • Entrepreneurial Ventures:

    • Sarah's Slow Jam:

      • Origin: Started as a hobby while awaiting bar results (inspired by a fig raisin jam), initially giving away jams for 10 years.

      • Launch: Officially launched in March 2020 under Florida's cottage law (allowing certain food production from home).

      • Growth: Utilizes an agricultural community for ingredients (e.g., mangoes from parents' tree), pivoted to using a "copacker" for scaled production.

      • Future Goal: "Global jam domination," expanding into more grocery stores and leveraging it as a Florida-themed gift.

      • Current Retailers: Cotton Capers, The Cheese Shop, Insures Chocolates, Loggerhead Marine Life Gift Center, Plum Market (Aventura).

    • Pineapple Island Company:

      • Origin: Developed from a quilting hobby (inspired by collecting fabrics during travels) and learning woodworking (cutting boards) from her uncle.

      • Focus: Tropical home decor, focusing on quilts and light woodworking.

      • Motivation: Creative outlet, enjoys working with hands, finds it very rewarding.

      • Future: Continuing to enjoy it, creating original heirloom-quality pieces.

  • Community Involvement:

    • Motivation: Inspired by her father's community service and the importance of accountability and mutual support.

    • Organizations: Junior League of the Palm Beaches, Palm Beach County Bar Association, Florida Association of Women Lawyers, Jewish Women's Foundation, Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce (Women in Business Council).

    • Junior League: Values its role in training women to be community leaders.

    • Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce: Praises mentorship opportunities, particularly the mentorship academy.

    • Mentors:

      • Alex Slayton: Taught balancing work, family, and community involvement; time management.

      • Colleen Hawkins: Patiently taught social media skills (especially Instagram Reels).

  • Future Outlook & Advice:

    • Legal Career: Hopes to remain at Legal Aid, valuing its community impact and mission.

    • Advice to Young Self: "Protect your peace" – emphasize setting boundaries, taking pauses, and ensuring commitments align with goals and values.

    • Leadership Palm Beach County: Discusses her positive experience, first as a high school participant and later in the "most powerful class of 2020," highlighting the strong bonds and support network formed.

  • Contact Information:

Live Digital Box
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PBºN Episode - 25
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PBºN Episode - 23