Belle Sisters:
Hello, wonderful people! Welcome to the Belles Beyond Feature by Belle Sisters. Today, I’m with Dr. Stacy Shepard. She is a principal, a podcast host, a founder, and an Author. She is currently in her season of becoming and alignment, choosing purpose over pleasure, honoring her boundaries, and doing work that helps women heal.

Welcome, Dr. Stacy.

Dr. Stacy Shepard:
Thank you, thank you for having me.

Belle Sisters:
We’re so glad to have you. Can you tell us a bit more about yourself?

Dr. Stacy Shepard:
Absolutely. I’ve been in education for 19 years. I started as a middle school English Language Arts teacher and later became a district coach, supporting new teachers to achieve results with their students. I’ve also served as a dean of students, an assistant principal, and now I’m a middle school principal, and I absolutely love it. I love seeing our scholars grow and evolve.

I’m also a mom of two amazing children, an 11-year-old son and a 5-year-old daughter. I host a podcast called A Note from the Principal’s Desk, which I’ve been running for about two years. It started as a rant that went viral and eventually became a platform where I speak with families and communities about what’s really happening in schools and how we can work together to support our scholars.

I’m also the founder of She Leads Education Consulting, where I work specifically with women in education, especially women of color. We are highly educated and do so much work, yet often struggle to break into leadership positions. I help women develop the skills and confidence to step into leadership and secure a seat at the table.

I’ve already helped three women step into leadership roles, which has been incredibly fulfilling.

I’m also the founder of AriseNow. I am a breast cancer survivor, and that experience shaped this initiative. During that season, I kept hearing women say, “I don’t know how you’re doing it all.” Many had dreams they had put on hold because of marriage or children.

That season taught me that you can have it all. If God gave you the vision, you are meant to pursue it. So, through Arise Now, I help women step into their purpose without waiting for the “perfect time.”

I work with women in both group and one-on-one settings, helping them make intentional shifts to live fully and pursue their dreams.

I’m also an author. I wrote “Finding Beauty in Shattered Glass”, where I share my journey through difficult seasons and the lessons learned. Each chapter ends with practical insights that readers can apply to their own lives.

The book has received recognition and awards, but what matters most to me is that it’s helping women step into purpose while maintaining healthy boundaries.

So yes, that’s a bit about me.

Belle Sisters:
Wow. That is incredible, you are truly a powerhouse. As you were speaking, a few things stood out to me, especially your passion for both education and empowering women.

What problem did you see that led you to start your businesses and also pursue a career in education?

Dr. Stacy Shepard:
For education, I knew I wanted to be in this field from the age of eight. I can’t pinpoint the exact moment, it was just always in me. I used to line up my dolls and “teach” them, and later, I’d do the same with my younger siblings.

What I didn’t know was that I would eventually become a principal. I simply wanted to impact children. But over time, I realized that although I had valuable insights, my voice wasn’t being heard.

Working in Title I schools, serving underserved communities, I noticed that decision-makers didn’t reflect the students we served. That’s when I realized I needed to be at the table where decisions were made.

I wanted my voice to represent both an educator and a mother. That realization pushed me into leadership, and once I got there, my career advanced quickly.

Now, I advocate not just for students, but for teachers on the front lines as well.

Belle Sisters:
That’s powerful. And what about your work with women?

Dr. Stacy Shepard:
I grew up in a small town where the expectation for women was simple: go to school, get a degree, get married, have children, and get a stable job. That was considered success.

But I always felt there had to be more.

As I grew and experienced life beyond that environment, I realized many women were holding back their dreams because of societal expectations. I wanted to challenge that narrative and show women what is possible.

That’s how Arise Now was born, helping women pursue their goals without sacrificing their roles as mothers or partners. It’s about making intentional shifts. For example, when I wrote my book, I woke up at 2 or 3 a.m. to write. That required adjusting my schedule, but no one in my life suffered because of it.

I also set boundaries, Saturdays are for my children, and Sundays are for myself. What I teach women is this: you can do hard things, but consistency is key.

Belle Sisters: I love that. Your point about consistency really stands out. People often underestimate how much discipline it takes to succeed.

So, what has your journey to where you are today looked like?

Dr. Stacy Shepard:
It hasn’t been easy.

Although I knew early on that I wanted to be in education, when I graduated, there was a hiring freeze in North Carolina. The only available jobs were in the Department of Corrections, so I took one.

Later, I worked with the Department of Justice before eventually entering the classroom.

At the time, I didn’t understand why my journey took that path, but now I do. Those experiences gave me real-life insight into the challenges many of my students face. So when I speak to them, I’m not speaking from theory, I’m speaking from lived experience.

As I advanced, I also had to fight to have my voice heard. It wasn’t easy being in rooms where people didn’t look like me or advocate for the same students I did.

But I stayed committed to my purpose. Even when it was uncomfortable, I spoke up. And now, I know that my journey has made it easier for the women coming after me.

Belle Sisters:
That’s incredibly inspiring. How did you navigate those difficult moments when you felt excluded or unheard?

Dr. Stacy Shepard:
I had to let go of my ego. I had to accept that I couldn’t control outcomes or people. My role was simply to plant seeds.

Sometimes, I saw change happen. Other times, I had to move on without seeing the results.

But once I released that need for control, everything became lighter. Now, I speak my truth, present the data, and let it go.

Belle Sisters:
That perspective is so freeing.

Now, shifting into entrepreneurship, what was your first step?

Dr. Stacy Shepard:
My first step was investing in myself.

Even though my best friend had a business, I didn’t ask for free help. I booked a session and paid her as a client.

She walked me through everything, naming the business, registering it, setting up accounts, and structuring operations.

From there, I joined the NASDAQ Entrepreneur Program and later worked with a business mentor who helped scale my work. I followed proven systems and stayed consistent. That’s why I always say: who you learn from matters.

Belle Sisters:
That mindset is powerful, especially paying for value, even when it’s available for free. It changes your level of commitment.

Before we wrap up, was there ever a moment you questioned entrepreneurship?

Dr. Stacy Shepard:
Every single day.

Balancing a full-time job, motherhood, and a growing business is not easy. There are sacrifices, sleep, time, and even personal moments.

But what keeps me going is the impact. Knowing that I’m helping women step into purpose makes it all worth it. This work is bigger than me.

Belle Sisters:
That’s beautiful.  Finally, what is one message you’d like our listeners to leave with?

Dr. Stacy Shepard:
You will never know how good it can get if you stop.

So don’t stop. My daily prayer is: “Show me how good it can get.”

Belle Sisters:
I love that. Thank you so much, Dr. Stacy, for sharing your journey and wisdom with us.

To our listeners, if you’re looking for a safe, intentional community of women navigating business and life, Belle Sisters is here for you. Visit our website to learn more and find a membership that aligns with you.