Meet Debbie Shepherd

We recently connected with Debbie Shepherd and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Debbie with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?

My work ethic comes from my grandmother, mom, and aunt. All 3 women have always been go-getters. All 3 migrated here from Jamaica, to start a better life. My mom graduated Magna Cum Laude with her BS in Nursing. My aunt has always had an entrepreneurial spirit, owning multiple businesses, and is now a successful realtor. My grandmother was one of the top teachers in South Florida and also ran multiple businesses. She’s now 86 and just opened a new business during the pandemic.
I remember being in high school, and my grandmother told me I needed to go into a career that required schooling and a degree. So that led me to Florida State University where I earned my B.S. in Interior Design. Then my grandmother said, that’s not enough. Now go get your Masters! lol. I was like, wait what?! Needless to say, I listened. Her advice continued throughout life in honing in on the right jobs and always striving for greatness. Even now as an entrepreneur, she still advises me.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

When I first moved to Tampa, I started working in the hospitality industry, specifically in Sales. Over the short time I was there, I worked my way up to become a Catering Sales Manager. I loved it, and was climbing the corporate ladder. Everything was going well, until I got a call one day… March 14th…it was my Human Resources Manager, calling to tell me I’d been let go….. the reasoning-Covid. I was devastated.
How would I pay my bills? How would I eat? During a time of uncertainty and isolation, my love for art became my outlet. I remember in times past, I used to wish I had more time to work on my craft, and now I did. I began to paint and draw again, using this to distract myself from the world outside. It was a scary time, and I had to find a way to make an income. So I started sharing my work on different social media platforms, selling pieces here and there. In the midst of this, I started seeing other forms of art online…it was called epoxy resin. I took to YouTube to learn more about this medium. Many trials and failed attempts later, I successfully created a set of coasters. I posted them online, and they sold! I was ecstatic! I kept the momentum going. Once things started to open up, I decided to take another leap of faith and set up a booth at a local craft fair, something I had never done. From there, I continued to attend and sell at other shows. At that’s how Debbie’s Artistry was born.
Debbie’s Artistry is an Art Studio that specializes in hand-made home decor. We aim to solve a few problems for homeowners and renters. The first is to keep tabletops dry and clean. We do that by providing stylish coasters for your cups and mugs, which will prevent condensation from hitting your table tops and other surfaces. Water stains from sweaty cups should be a thing of the past. The second problem is we help you keep countertops organized. We do this by providing you with beautiful trays to keep your lovely possessions neat and organized so they are easier to find. Messy bathroom vanities and cluttered workspaces can cause stress and waste valuable time.
When I create, my goal is to make something that can be viewed as a work of art, but that can also be functional. Each item created has its own use. And when not in use, it can be displayed as a work of art. Our product line not only consists of coasters and trays, but we also offer charcuterie boards, wine glasses, and other accessories.
Our main medium is a food-safe, non-toxic epoxy resin. This particular epoxy resin is high quality, and free of VOCs, solvents, and odors, making it an eco-friendly medium. We incorporate florals, fruits, and the essence of nature into our pieces, so you can envision yourself somewhere calming and serene.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

YouTube was a great resource for me when first starting. That’s how I learned to work with epoxy resin. I like to call it YouTube University. It has a wealth of knowledge for just about anything.

Networking is also important. Connecting with like-minded individuals who have similar goals, has many benefits. It’s good to ask questions and learn from others who may be further along than you. They can tell you what works and also what doesn’t. Never stop learning and never be afraid to ask for help. That’s one way to grow.

I’ve also started listening to podcasts and audiobooks. It allows me to learn on the go. I listen to books on building businesses, marketing, etc. The more you know the more you grow. And never be afraid to mess up or make a mistake. Sometimes you have to do things afraid. If you make a mistake, learn from it and try again. So many products we use currently, are here because someone, years ago, took a leap of faith and went for it!

All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?

Before you know it, Christmas will be here, and holiday and fall markets will be in full swing. My challenge is getting my products in front of large amounts of people at once. I currently set up at vendor shows throughout the Tampa Bay Area, every month. Participating in a 3-4 markets a week on top of creating products, takes up a lot of time. I’d love to have a team of assistants who could set up and run my booths for me, which would give me more time to create more products.
To solve this problem, I am actively hiring. So if you’re reading this and you or someone you know is looking for part-time hours, feel free to send your resume over! ([email protected])

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