Meet Nancy Shepherd, Ph.d | Author, Professor, entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nancy Shepherd, Ph.d and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nancy, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I had reached a point in my career that I was thinking about next steps. Many of my friends and colleagues were retiring. I knew that wasn’t in my plan. I had lots of things I still wanted to do. My kids, and friends would often say you should open a bakery, but I didn’t want a retail outlet again- I had been down that road. I was mulling over different directions. How could I use my talent and experiences for the next stage in my life? I could continue my work as a Professor and do some writing on the side; continue selling my spices rubs and dipping oils and/or maybe go back to my creative works with sewing and crafts. Or maybe just keep teaching and baking. Ummm, what to do?

I often have vivid dreams and ideas at night and write in a journal. One night I had an epiphany and realized my next path. I had been preparing for it all my life. I would take my experience as a teacher, writer, baker and entrepreneur and pull it all together. Rolling Pin Production was born! No it didn’t happen quite that quick. Now I had to pull my vision together. I did lots of thinking about what I wanted my day to look like with my new path. How would I share my skills, my love of baking, writing, my education and help others. I have had businesses and been successful and not so successful, so I wanted to be careful as I planned my new adventure.

I thought back to my childhood and my love of cooking and baking and the experiences I had with my Grandmother who was a baker. The rolling pins on her counter and the times I got to participate in the baking process with my Mom and aunts and grandmother. I collect rolling pins and have a crock on my counter with them. I had been creating spices, seasonings and dipping oils to sell for some time. Now I would add the book component. I took a couple courses on writing children’s picture books and my manuscripts came alive. My first book, The Adventures of Mighty the Mini Rolling Pin, came to life and my series is in the works. While I worked on the book and my vision, I realized that literacy and a service component was vital and envisioned Rolling Pin Reading Rooms for children in underserved areas who often are not exposed to reading or books. It is my goal to create these spaces with funds from grants or sponsors and provide children with books.

As a professor and researcher, I do not do very much without researching details. I believe it is important to understand the industry you are in, who your competition is, have mentors, partners and ambassadors who will guide you and offer suggestions along the way. So while my business is off and running, I am happy I took the time to ponder and consider and research and dream about my next step.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a life-long learner and I have been in business and industry as well as education and an entrepreneur. When we are young we think we can plan out our career. I believe you travel over hills and valleys and that life is a journey. You will learn along the way. Some paths will be smooth and others will be rocky.

I have been blessed with many opportunities in my education and career. I had a mentor (20 years older) when I was just out of college who said, you need to move out of this small town and utilize your talents. She helped me move and we still keep in touch. It is important to listen to people who see something in you.
I utilized my education and learned from others to advance my career. When the market changed, I made a change.

I started my first business when I was in my mid twenties and created a merchandising plan for a sporting goods corporation with 25 stores. It was exciting. Later I created Interior Connections in Portland Oregon, and not long after my business was up 300% one year. I worked with large developers and builders in the city on the Street of Dreams project and later moved my business.

I also learned that some people lie and hurt you and don’t care who they take down. They will take your money and your reputation, but still you have your integrity and respect and no one can take that from you.

Going back for my Master’s and PhD as a single Mom working full-time was like giving birth to another child, but it was a goal and important to me to improve my credentials to provide for my children and my future. As that life-long learning I couldn’t get enough and still love to learn each day. I felt I was a good role model for my kids as I was studying so were they. I became passionate about social issues like hunger and food insecurity and my children learned how to help in a food pantry. I learned that resilience is very important.

I involved myself in professional organizations from the time I was in college until present day. I sought leadership roles, professional development, attended conferences and tried to learn from mentors. I achieved honors and awards, but truly treasure the friendships with colleagues that I know I can call on as professionals and friends.

My experiences as an educator, business owner, manager, author, wife, mother and someone who is passionate about social issues has led me to create Rolling Pin Production. Every creation carries a piece of my heart. I am not 30 or 40 or 50 anymore. I want people to share in my joy and I want to be of service to improve our literacy crisis. I believe my experiences led me to this next journey and I will keep rolling on.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If I had a friend visiting me I would first need to understand their special desires, but I do have some spots I would recommend.

While in Kingwood, we would visit our friends at Raffas on Houston lake for the great view, friends, drinks and food. The wine room is where I had my book launch party. While in Kingwood, we can pull out the bikes and ride the wooded trails away from traffic, so pleasant.

We would go to Galveston and stay at the Galvez Hotel, enjoy the spa, pool, beach and a drink or two at the bar as it has been renovated back to its earlier look. We love it. We would enjoy a Taco spot on the strand for a casual lunch, shopping and then dinner at a special local Italian spot. The next night we will visit a special steak spot hidden in a quaint neighborhood development.

If time we would jet off to Fredericksburg for a couple days to shop and tour the wineries. We would listen to the local music and maybe dance at the Saloon!! On our way we could stop at Boerne for some more shopping or San Antonio.

Back in Houston, we would go to The Woodlands, maybe Kayak on the waterway and stop for a snack and drink along the way. A great spot on the Waterway is Azzurro Italian coastal Cuisine. Or we could bring the bikes and ride the trails.

A visit downtown to the Houston Museum of the Arts is a must and a stop at Postinos for a board and libations! Oh so much more to do……….where to stop.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
FAMILY IS THE CENTER OF MY WORLD.
I cherish my family and I am blessed with two amazing children. I grew up in a large family (four siblings) and a wonderful neighborhood with a park down the street and friends to play with all the time. My parents worked hard, and they taught us manners and respect and responsibility. I am close with my siblings and treasure time with them and their respective families. Families are the unit that make up communities that we build systems to function around. Today many individuals have broken families and our society struggles to see that children have mentors and role models to teach them life lessons. I have been blessed.
My husband Dave is my my friend and biggest cheerleader! He ships my books, tells everyone I write children’s books and also orders a lot of books!!
I think my book dedication sums up how I feel about my children:

“To Blake and Elizabeth,
When God rolled out his recipe for children and baked goods, he put in a dash of savory, a touch of tart, and many cups of sweetness. Most of all, he sprinkled in a lot of love. I am blessed with two of the sweetest.”

Website: https://www.rollingpinproduction.com

Instagram: nancys8

Facebook: Nancy Shepherd

Image Credits
sarajophoto.com
designsbykelly.com