Sara Pierce: At the Intersection of Education, Family, and Business
By: Paul White
In a world where women are expected to excel professionally and personally, Sara Pierce’s life is an example of balancing family, business, and community.
From her roots in a supportive, loving family to her triumphs as a businesswoman and educator, Sara Pierce, the co-author of the groundbreaking Jewish anthology “Jews Have Horns: An Anthology of Antisemitism,” represents how passion, dedication, and resilience can help overcome challenges.
Her life’s work reflects the harmonious intersection of these values, impacting children’s educational development, Jewish cultural heritage, and entrepreneurial success.
How Did It All Begin?
Sara’s entrepreneurial journey began with her keen interest in children’s education.
Inspired by her upbringing in a family that encouraged her to follow her creative instincts, she co-founded Einstein Toys with her husband, Wilbur Pierce. The store, renowned for its focus on fostering creativity and learning in children, was a center for families seeking quality educational materials for gifted kids.
At her retail business, Einstein Toys, Sara wanted to nurture curiosity and intellectual conversations and give tools to young minds to explore their potential.
“Wilbur and I did not just want to sell toys,” Sara reflects. “We wanted to create an environment where children could learn and play, and parents could find ways to enhance their child’s development. We offer something not just fun but educational.”
“Giftware News” once named Einstein Toys the “Best Toy and Gift Store in America,” a recognition that validated Sara’s vision of combining learning with play.
Her passion for education led her to expand the store’s offerings to include an educational catalog, and the business quickly gained national attention.
Sara and her husband, Wilbur, worked hand-in-hand to build Einstein Toys, each contributing uniquely. Wilbur brought visionary ideas while Sara managed day-to-day operations, including buying and merchandising for the store. Their partnership was a true collaboration, and their son, Paris, also played a role in the family business, showing how important family support can be in the success of an entrepreneurial venture.
“We were a unit,” Sara says. “There wasn’t a separation between work and family life. We all had different roles, but we worked together, supported each other, and contributed to the business in ways that made sense for each of us.”
Their home was often an extension of the store, as vendor meetings with booksellers and publishers were frequently held around their dining table. Sara’s deep knowledge of children’s literature allowed her to curate the store’s inventory accurately, ensuring that the front and back lists of children’s books aligned with the store’s educational mission.
A Woman Rooted in Jewish Values
Sara’s Jewish heritage played a significant role in shaping her personal and professional identity. In Judaism, women hold a sacred responsibility for the home and the Jewish upbringing of their children, a role Sara embraced wholeheartedly. But her influence was not just limited to her house.
Her commitment to Jewish culture was also reflected in the family’s second store, which featured Jewish ephemera and art, creating an intellectual environment celebrating Jewish history and creativity.
Sara’s work aligned with the Jewish tradition of passing on knowledge and values to the next generation, a mission she fulfilled as a mother and an entrepreneur dedicated to enhancing children’s educational development.
The Courage to Tell Untold Stories
Sara’s passion for education and Jewish history shines in her and Wilbur’s co-authorship of “Jews Have Horns: An Anthology of Antisemitism,” a collection of stories describing the courage, resilience, and strength of the Jewish people throughout history.
The anthology offers an intimate look at Jewish experiences in the face of discrimination, recounting episodes such as the Kindertransport and the harrowing journey of Jewish refugees aboard the HMT Dunera.
These stories reflect Sara’s dedication to ensuring that the past is remembered and the sacrifices are honored by future generations. Through the anthology, she and Wilbur highlight the Jewish community’s survival in the face of adversity, from the covert operations of underground resistance groups during World War II to the intellectual triumphs of Jewish refugees in Australia.
“We wanted to tell the stories that weren’t always highlighted in history books,” Sara explains. “These are stories of courage, of resistance, and of survival against all odds. We wanted to show the human side of these historical events and honor the people who lived through them.”
Sara Pierce’s story is inspiring for women everywhere who strive to find balance in their own lives, and it serves as a reminder of the enduring strength that comes from a commitment to family, education, and community.
“I was fortunate to have loving parents who told me I could be anything I wanted to be,” Sara says. “That belief in myself allowed me to never have self-doubt, and it’s what has driven me to pursue my passions in both education and business.”
Through it all, Sara has remained grounded in the values that shaped her from a young age: the importance of family, the power of education, and the resilience of the human spirit. These values continue to guide her in overcoming the challenges and celebrating the victories that define her journey.
Published by Jeremy S.
