Meet Sarah Cohen | Owner and Founder

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sarah Cohen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sarah, what is the most important factor behind your success?
Authenticity makes all the difference! When people know you and your product come from a genuine place, they are excited to support your dream.
I’ve always loved hosting my family and friends and when I began making jam, I was thrilled to share it with them.
They knew of my love of South Florida produce- strawberries, mangoes, hot peppers, and more because I made jam with what was in season. I’d often invite friends to pick strawberries on a Saturday and make jam on Sunday! For me, celebrating this local produce comes from an organic (no pun intended!) place. My parents have always had fruit trees- bananas, tangerine, lime, mango, avocado, etc. My great grandparents ran a produce market in Flamingo Park, a neighborhood just south of downtown West Palm Beach. I like to think I’m honoring them with carrying our appreciation for what’s local and in season.
To me, nothing felt more natural than preserving at the peak of season to then share with people- it is truly a labor of love.
Strawberry jam over pancakes for brunch or fig jam on a charcuterie board- I am proud to make a product people enjoy around a table with their loved ones.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Justice and jam are my passions! For nearly 8 years, I have worked as an attorney representing foster children in Palm Beach County. This work is challenging and rewarding. For most of that time, I made jam as a hobby and gave it away as gifts.

Deciding to open Sarah’s Slow Jam meant I had to make a commitment to myself and the business. Time management is always a challenge! I like the saying that finding balance is a juggling act- you learn which balls are made of rubber and which ones are made of glass. I learned early on that I have to be very disciplined with my time. For me, it’s dedicating time on Tuesday nights and Sunday afternoons to work on social media strategies, bookkeeping and and my short-term and long-term business goals. Accountability is key! It’s easy when you are starting and running a small business for it to bleed into all areas of your life- I try to prevent that. When I am with my family, that is time focused on them. I don’t want to be distracted. I find setting clear boundaries, and keeping them, is how I can find that precious balance.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
You asked the right girl! As a 3rd generation Palm Beach County resident, I will happily share my perfect itinerary:

Day 1:
Start the day at Tulipan bakery for their Cuban coffee & pastries. Their guava and cheese pastry cannot be beat!

We have beautiful beaches here, so spending time at John D. MacArthur State Park is always time well spent. You can rent and launch kayaks at MacArthur and there’s no telling what you will see on your paddle- turtles, dolphins, stingrays, hawks, and more!

Lunch at North Palm Beach’s Brass Ring Pub- it is a longtime local favorite and I challenge anyone for a better burger!

If you want to stay on dry land, I highly recommend some of our parks like Grassy Waters or Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens. Keep an eye out- you may see an alligator sunning himself on your walk. In season, picking strawberries at Bedner’s Farm is always fun.

Finally, dinner at my favorite restaurant, Food Shack, followed by cocktails on the Jupiter Inlet at Square Grouper.

Day 2
Start off with a lavish and leisurely brunch at the Circle Room at the Breakers.

Enjoy the Lake Trail on Palm Beach- this 5+ mile trail is wonderful for cyclists and pedestrians.

Cool off at Peanut Island by swimming in the gorgeous clear water and you can see the old JFK bunker on the south side of the island. And then a quick stop to visit the manatees at Manatee Lagoon in West Palm Beach.

End the day with dinner with a waterfront view of mega yachts and Palm Beach at Elisabetta’s in downtown West Palm for delicious Italian food.

Day 3

Breakfast at Sara’s Kitchen in Palm Beach Gardens- order the French Toast and you will not be disappointed!

Visit the Palm Beach Gardens’ greenmarket for fresh produce, baked goods, flowers, live music and more.

Catch a matinee performance at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in downtown West Palm Beach.

Dinner at the delightful The Regional Kitchen and Public House in downtown West Palm Beach. Chef Lindsay Autry is incredible and the tomato pie there is to die for!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I am deeply grateful for many people who have helped me along the way! Credit must go to my family- my first taste testers! They are a wonderful support and I’m forever thankful for their encouragement.
I’d also like to thank two photographer friends who see my dream and have been generous with their time and talent as I grow the business- Sandra Ransdell of Sandra Ransdell Photography and Kelly Robinson of Kelly Robinson Photo.
SCORE has been an incredible resource for me- I typically do 3-4 of their free webinars per month to educate myself. Recently, SCORE of the Treasure Coast of Florida partnered with the Women’s Foundation of Florida for a Women’s Business Bootcamp. There, I have found a community of creators and entrepreneurs who are supportive and kind. We strategize and challenge each other and I cannot recommend the bootcamp enough!

Website: www.SarahsSlowJam.Com

Instagram: @SarahsSlowJam

Facebook: @SarahsSlowJam

Image Credits
Sandra Ransdell Photography