Robert H. Cohen: Finding the Balance and Paying It Forward

My journey didn’t start in a boardroom; it started on the ice and in the neighborhoods of Philadelphia. I grew up with a “work for it” mentality that was instilled in me early. When I was 13 years old, I told my parents I needed a new pair of hockey skates. Their response was simple and life-changing: “Then you need a job.”

That lesson stuck. I worked my way through Temple University, balancing a full course load while playing ice hockey. That grit followed me into the U.S. Army, where I served as a Captain and helicopter maintenance test pilot, and eventually into the high stakes world of Corporate America.

The Weight of the Corporate Ladder For over two decades, I climbed that ladder at global giants like General Electric and Siemens Medical Solutions. On the surface, I was living the professional dream—managing $200M P&L statements and leading massive teams across the globe. But behind the titles and the achievements, there was a growing void.

My years at Siemens were a blur of non-stop global travel, followed by years of living out of a suitcase across the country for GE. While I was busy building a career, I was missing the quiet, irreplaceable moments of my four children growing up. I was physically exhausted, and the constant travel began to take a real toll on my health and wellness. I realized I was winning at business but losing at home. I knew I needed to reclaim my life, not just for myself, but for my family.

Finding Joy in the Pivot Twelve years ago, I took a leap of faith and traded the corporate matrix for business ownership, opening my own PrideStaff franchise in Portland. The change was profound. For the first time, I had the power to drive my own compensation without sacrificing the work-life balance I had craved for so long.

But the real gift was the connection to my community. Instead of sitting in airport lounges, I was in my own neighborhood helping people reach their professional goals and supporting local manufacturing firms. There is a deep, quiet joy in knowing you’ve helped a neighbor find meaningful work. Over a decade, we earned nine consecutive “Best of Staffing” awards, but the true reward was the feeling of giving back to the place I call home.

Why I’m Here for You I’ve recently sold my franchise, and my journey has come full circle. I joined The Perfect Franchise because I remember exactly what it feels like to be at that crossroads—feeling successful but unfulfilled, driven but drained.

My career has been a tapestry of military discipline, corporate leadership, and the rewarding reality of small business ownership. I’m not just here to show you a business model; I’m here to help you find the freedom I found. Whether you’re looking to stop the endless travel, reclaim your health, finally be present for those big family moments, or simply looking for a new path forward, I am here to guide you toward your own “Perfect Franchise.”