Women’s History Month is a time to recognize the women who’ve had the courage and resilience to take on challenges and build something of their own. Entrepreneurship demands long hours, difficult decisions, and the willingness to keep moving forward, even when the path isn’t certain. For many women, it also means leading with empathy, balancing strength with service, and building businesses that directly impact their communities.
At Cogent Bank, we are proud to partner with women whose work reflects these values. Their industries may differ — from wholesale baking to law to special needs trusts — but each has built her business with intention and care.
This Women’s History Month, we celebrate three women whose journeys highlight the strength and leadership of female entrepreneurs.
DF Bakery, Inc.
Sophie Sacagiu, President
Entrepreneurship has always been central to Sophie Sacagiu’s journey. In 1980, her father emigrated from France and established a high-end restaurant, where Sophie began working in the kitchen at just 12 years old. That early immersion in the culinary world instilled in her the values of discipline, sacrifice, and consistency—principles that continue to define her leadership style today.
In 1996, Sophie and her husband founded DF Bakery, Inc., a wholesale bread company built on an unwavering commitment to quality and service. Within months of its launch, the company was featured in the Orlando Sentinel, and shortly thereafter secured Disney as a client—an important milestone that significantly elevated the company’s profile and accelerated its growth. Through a measured, step-by-step approach, DF Bakery steadily expanded its client portfolio and now serves major partners including Universal Studios and SeaWorld, while upholding the highest standards of food safety.
What distinguishes Sophie and DF Bakery is their steadfast dedication to producing premium breads and pastries made with Clean Label ingredients. Sophie has guided the company’s growth with intention and integrity, consistently choosing sustainable excellence over rapid expansion. For her, success is not defined solely by revenue, but by responsibility. “We are responsible for what people eat,” she emphasizes. “Quality and service must always come first.”
She attributes the bakery’s success to the strength and dedication of her team, firmly believing that employees are the heart and soul of the organization. Without their commitment, none of the company’s achievements would have been possible.
Sophie’s leadership, combined with a strong and authentic partnership with her husband, has been instrumental in building a business centered on meeting customers’ needs with care and excellence. Today, as their younger son begins to carry the legacy forward, the family’s commitment remains steadfast. By continually adapting to evolving customer expectations and prioritizing both clients and end consumers, Sophie has cultivated a company where service, responsibility, and genuine care guide every decision.
Sophie values the same responsiveness in her financial partner. At Cogent Bank, she found a relationship-driven team that she trusts to answer her phone calls when she needs it most and understands her business goals as she continues to grow DF Bakery, Inc. into a family legacy.
One Legacy Title & Escrow, LLC
Bailey M. Bauernfeind, Founder and Attorney
Bailey Bauernfeind began practicing law in 2017 in litigation but quickly realized that was not her passion. In 2019, transitioned into real estate settlement law and discovered the impact she could have guiding clients through meaningful life transactions.
Growing up watching her father run his own business inspired Bailey and gave her the confidence to know she had the drive to do the same. After practicing law in Virginia for several years, she made the decision in 2024 to move to Jacksonville, Florida, and open her own office, beginning a new journey that would strengthen her leadership, patience, and resilience in her career as an attorney and as a new business owner.
The biggest challenge wasn’t practicing law; it was building the business correctly. Licensing, payroll, and regulatory approvals required patience. Rather than viewing the waiting period as a setback, she used it to network intentionally and build relationships, quickly discovering that her new community strongly supports and embraces small businesses. She was able to make connections quickly and build a solid network.
In her work, she believes empathy is her differentiator. Whether assisting a seasoned executive or a nervous first-time homebuyer, she believes listening is a strength. “Be patient with yourself,” she advises other women entrepreneurs. “Take it one day at a time. When you do things the right way, the results follow.”
Managing hundreds of closings per month requires a bank that understands both volume and urgency. She was intentional about finding a financial partner that not only understood her business but also valued relationship-based service. At Cogent Bank, Bailey found a responsive, relationship-driven team that understands her business, prioritizes service, and is a phone call away— just as she is for her clients
Special Needs Trusts
Julie M. Goddard, Trustee
Julie Goddard never planned to become an entrepreneur. With a master’s degree in criminology and acceptance into law school, her path seemed set. But six weeks before classes began, she chose a different course. Her background in studying human behavior led her into guardianships and eventually focusing into special needs trusts.
Today, Julie and her team of seven manage hundreds of trusts for individuals who have experienced life-altering events. While many assume a trustee’s role is simply to manage finances, Julie’s work is far more personal. She helps clients secure medical care, improve accessibility, and enhance their overall quality of life. Her background in criminology helps her navigate complex personalities with empathy, grounded in her belief that everyone wants to feel heard and respected. For Julie, compassion is not a weakness, but a defining strength. Entrepreneurship happened organically for Julie, but it has given her flexibility, time with family, and a deeper community involvement.
The responsibility of managing hundreds of trusts requires precision, careful oversight, and a trusted financial partner. After working with larger institutions, she transitioned to Cogent Bank, where she found concierge-level service and personal attention that mirrors the way she serves her own clients. For a business built on trust and relationships, having a bank that operates with the same philosophy makes all the difference.
This Women’s History Month, we celebrate Sophie, Bailey, and Julie, women who lead with integrity, empathy, and purpose. Their stories remind us that entrepreneurship is not only about building businesses, but about serving communities and caring deeply for the people they impact.
At Cogent Bank, we share that same commitment to relationships and service, and we are proud to support women who are shaping the future through strong leadership and a dedication to doing things the right way.
Member FDIC
Equal Housing Lender
Disclaimer: The information contained herein is for informational and educational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed in this document may be those of the individuals and may not necessarily reflect those of Cogent Bancorp and its subsidiaries and affiliates, or the entities they may represent. Content contained herein may be used in connection with the advertising and/or marketing of products offered by Cogent Bank or Cogent Private Wealth. The material is not intended to provide or substitute for legal, tax, or financial advice or to indicate the availability or suitability of any Cogent Bank product or service. You should consult with a legal, financial, tax, or other appropriate professional(s) for your specific needs and/or objectives before making any decisions.
