LBJ alumna Sarah Hamill (MPAff '22) studied sex education reform at the LBJ School. Now, she is the founder of Birds N' Bees Box, a business focused on reproductive wellness and access to menstrual and sexual health products and services. She grew her community engagement skills while studying at the LBJ School - skills that she says are invaluable to her business.
Tell us about your experience at the LBJ School.
SH: I had a truly incredible experience at the LBJ School. Going into the program, I was focused on gender based violence prevention, after having worked with a domestic violence shelter and at a nonprofit for international gender and education equity. My first semester courses helped me narrow my work into sex education reform, which became the focus of my next year of research. In my last semester I took Dr. Hole's PRP [policy research project] on social entrepreneurship and started to develop a business alongside three of my peers.
Birds N' Bees Box was a labor of love by both LBJ and Dell Med students passionate about reproductive wellness access and motivated by the shifting landscape of rights in the U.S. Near the end of my program, we were encouraged to take our business to market, and now, with little to no business experience, I am a founder and CEO! I love my job and am challenged creatively and intellectually every day, and it's all thanks to my time at LBJ.
"I love my job and am challenged creatively and intellectually every day, and it's all thanks to my time at LBJ." – Sarah Hamill
Tell us about your professional journey after you left the LBJ School.
SH: Following LBJ I started Birds N' Bees Box, a business focused on reproductive wellness. We improve access to menstrual and sexual health products and services for all menstruating people that may face barriers to care. We launched just at the beginning of October, with a market of 15 local vendors, and in partnership with Future Front Texas and Kendra Scott. Nearly 400 people from the Austin area attended!
What is one skill you learned at the LBJ School that you still use in your professional career today?
SH: My community engagement skills grew so much at LBJ and have been invaluable to starting my business.
What advice would you give current students as they prepare to graduate and go out into the policy arena?
SH: Your experience in public affairs is so versatile and can be used across so many different markets. Don't limit yourself!
What was your most treasured memory from your time at the LBJ School?
SH: Pitching Birds N' Bees Box to Dean Deshazo (and others) at our "dolphin tank"