WORKING WOMEN OF WESTCHESTER: STACEY COHEN

STACEY COHEN

President

Co-Communications

Works and lives in: Mount Kisco

What inspired you to get into your profession?

"Early in my career, I held an entry-level position in human resources at a Manhattan-based advertising agency. It was there that I was introduced to the world of marketing communications and media. I had an insatiable thirst to learn and regularly asked the account execs what they were working on."

What were your childhood ambitions?

"When my seventh-grade guidance counselor posed the 'career' question, I responded that I wanted to be a songwriter. I carried around a journal since age 12. An entrepreneurial side emerged at age 14; my friend and I started a 'home' waitress service for at-home parties, which was much more lucrative than babysitting. We placed an ad in the local Pennysaver. The ad headline - 'We Set Up, Serve and Clean Up' - got us a lot of work."

When did you know you made it?

"Post 9/11, many of my colleagues suffered a business slowdown whereas Co-Communications had a surge. I realized that I had built a resilient business to sustain through downturns."

Career advice to young women?

"It is important to find a career that offers lifestyle and cash flow. rind a career that plays to one's strengths and that they are passionate about. To achieve high-level career status, you need all of the above and a high level of drive, commitment and risk-taking."

Most rewarding moment of your career? "Being recognized as a Forbes 2006 entrepreneur winner gave me an incredible sense of fulfillment."

Copyright Westfair Communications Mar 31, 2008
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved