Coach Melanie Klein talks to Taylor Cohen, whose journey reminds us that real estate isn’t just about transactions; it’s about transformation.
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Taylor Cohen brings a layered perspective to her career in real estate — one that blends finance, sustainability, hospitality and design. As a member of the Terry Cohen Advisory and working with Terry Cohen in the Hamptons, she helps clients navigate some of New York’s most sought-after markets with care, strategy and authenticity.
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Her journey shows how women can build financial freedom and creative fulfillment — often at the same time — through the power of real estate.
A path that always led home
Looking back, Cohen admits she’s surprised she didn’t enter real estate earlier. “My mother, Terry Cohen, became an agent when I was 8, shortly after my parents divorced,” she shares. “We were living in the Hamptons, and she dove in headfirst, quickly becoming one of the most trusted and respected agents out there. Some days I’d skip school just to tag along on showings and open houses.”
Cohen’s early fascination with the industry eventually converged with a career built on exploration and purpose. She studied finance and marketing, began at the London Stock Exchange, and later earned a master’s in sustainability management before joining National Geographic Expeditions, where she worked at the intersection of travel, sustainability and impact.
But real estate, it seems, was always calling her back. Her stepfather, Michael Davis, runs a renowned design and build company, Michael Davis Design & Construction. “I began helping both of them in operations and marketing — one focused on high-end building, the other on sales and relationships. When my mother joined Compass, it felt like the right moment for me to officially step in too.”
Today, Cohen is not only a real estate advisor but also a developer, currently building a wellness-focused hospitality retreat in the Catskills called Stay Elka, alongside her partner. “It feels like everything I’ve done — finance, sustainability, hospitality, design — has led me here,” she reflects.
Overcoming the internal barriers
While real estate is one of the few industries where women comprise a clear majority — about 62 percent of all Realtors are women according to the National Association of Realtors. That doesn’t mean the path is without its challenges. “For me, and for many women I’ve met, the biggest obstacles aren’t always external — they’re often internal,” Cohen says.
She recalls moments of hesitation: wondering if she was “ready enough” or should wait until everything felt perfect. “That hesitation is something a lot of women can relate to,” she adds. “What’s helped me is community — reaching out to women I admire, having coffee chats, seeking mentorship and getting introspective.”
That willingness to connect and grow has become a cornerstone of her success. “Real estate can be a high-stakes, fast-paced industry, but it’s also deeply relational. Having support and being willing to learn from others, changes everything.”
Wealth as freedom and flexibility
“I’ve always believed real estate is one of the best paths to financial freedom,” Cohen says. “I bought my first apartment at 26 because I knew it made more sense to build equity than to keep paying rent. Owning property gave me a sense of control over my financial future.”
That sense of agency has only deepened since becoming a professional in the business. “There’s no ceiling on what you can earn — but it requires discipline. You need to save for slower years and understand that your effort directly translates into your success.”
For Cohen, real estate isn’t just about profit. It’s about possibility. “It gives you options — to pursue projects that align with your values and to build a life that reflects what matters most.”
Real estate as empowerment
Cohen’s inspiration traces back to her mother’s example. “I watched my mom build an entire career in her 40s and create financial freedom for herself and for my brother and me. Because of her career, we had access to great schools, travel and opportunity — but what stayed with me most was seeing her independence. Watching her succeed showed me it was possible for me too.”
Her advice to women — especially those just starting out or considering real estate as a path to financial freedom — is simple and powerful: “Believe that you can take ownership of your financial future. Real estate is one of the few careers where your effort directly shapes your outcome. It requires persistence, patience and confidence, but it can open doors you didn’t even know existed. Start where you are, learn constantly, don’t wait for perfect timing — and have fun. You meet amazing people.”
Redefining wealth and well-being
Looking ahead, Cohen envisions an industry where women continue to redefine what wealth and success look like. She believes women’s natural strengths — intuition, empathy and relationship-building — are not just valuable but vital to the evolution of real estate. “This work is about helping people find spaces to connect, to build their lives and to feel grounded. The more the industry embraces those qualities, the more powerful and human it becomes.”
Beyond the business, Cohen is deeply committed to sustainability and well-being.
“We spend about 90 percent of our lives indoors, and our environments directly affect our mood, focus and health,” she said. “I’d love to see more of the industry embrace sustainability, biophilic design and spaces that connect people with nature. To me, that’s part of a broader definition of wealth — living in alignment, building community and creating spaces that support well-being.”
Takeaways and reflection prompts
- Start where you are: What small step could you take today toward financial independence or ownership, even if it’s not perfect timing?
- Redefine wealth on your terms: Beyond money, what does financial freedom mean to you — flexibility, security, creativity or purpose?
- Invest in your mindset as much as your portfolio: What internal narratives or doubts might be holding you back, and what support could help you move through them?
- Build with intention: How can the spaces you live and work in better support your well-being and reflect your values?
- Lead with connection: How might empathy, collaboration and authenticity enhance your business and the communities you serve?
Taylor Cohen’s journey reminds us that real estate isn’t just about transactions — it’s about transformation. When women invest in themselves, in their communities, and in the spaces they create, they build more than wealth. They build legacy, independence and choice.
Because true financial freedom isn’t just about what we earn — it’s about how we live, lead and design a life that feels like home.
Melanie C. Klein, M.A., is an empowerment and mindset coach.
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