Fired at 63 on a Beach in Mexico: How Sara Rubens Built Seed to Sanctuary and Never Looked Back

Sara Rubens is a kitchen garden designer, installer, and coach who helps busy professionals grow their own food without adding another full-time job to their plate. And her story of how she got here? Absolutely wild.

Sara was in corporate America for years, carrying the medical insurance for her family while her husband ran his businesses. The plan was simple: work until 65, then retire. But at 63, while sitting on a beach in Mexico with her second mimosa, she got the call. They fired her. Christmas week. On vacation.

Eighteen months from Medicare eligibility, Sara had a choice: brush off her resume and go back to corporate (which sounded like a root canal), or go all-in on the side business she'd been building—teaching people how to grow food in beautiful raised bed gardens.

She chose the garden. And it's been four years of absolute joy.

We talk about how Sara went from zero gardening experience during COVID to building 48 custom kitchen gardens across Lake Norman. She breaks down why North Carolina soil is terrible (unless you want to grow tobacco), how she designs gardens as "rooms" in your backyard, and why you only need to spend five minutes a day in your garden to make it work.

Plus, Sara shares the philosophy behind "Seed to Sanctuary"—how a tiny seed can transform your life, teach you to be present, and give you a sense of peace in a world that never stops moving. And after losing her adult daughter tragically, the garden community became a lifeline.

If you've ever thought about growing your own food but don't have time, or if you're a business owner wondering what's next after corporate America, this conversation is for you.