Today we’d like to introduce you to Sherice Sheppard.
Sherice, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Pillow Talk Houston is actually the 3rd business I started from scratch. I always say from scratch because it started out as an idea and then came to life. My first business was home health that I started while I was attending Houston Community College. It was called “M.A.C.S Healthy Living Home Care, LLC.” The acronym stood for Mason, Abraham, Chase, and Sherice which are my children and me. I liked providing home care for the elderly. I was giving the family a break while taking care of their loved one. I turned the den in my house into my office. I decorated it really nicely. My middle son and I would go to different senior citizens’ apartments and bring snacks while we played bingo. We enjoyed it and brought smiles to their faces. It took me some time, but I was even able to get a contract with the state. The thing I didn’t like was the patients dying on me. The patients I was caring for were in the last stages of transitioning. It was hard for me to watch someone’s health decline and I got attached to them easily so I knew that wasn’t the right business. Then I started to Watch Me Watches. In this business, I started selling different kinds of women’s watches. The motto was “Get Your Wrist Right!” It took off!! Everyone wanted to get their wrist right lol. I remember I had a wad of money and my kids thought I was selling drugs lol. I then added clothes, shoes, and accessories to the list.
After that, I decided to come out with my own brand of watches with of course “Watch Me” on the inside. They were great quality, nice and sleek. They were stainless steel and came in 5 different colors, up to 3 meters water resistant, and had the date and day. I created a website and would sell my merchandise online, in pop-up shops. I would also go to different places like gas stations, Family Dollar, and beauty supply stores. I would sit in the parking lot and sell them out of my car. I liked the money, but I really didn’t like selling lol. THEN, lol came Pillow Talk Houston. I asked 2 other ladies to join me CB and Gabe because I wanted to bring different perspectives to the viewers. Initially, it started out as a podcast talking about sex, relationships, and interviews. I started Pillow Talk Houston Instagram page because I wanted to keep people entertained until shows came out. I would post funny videos, informational videos, and different topics where they could voice their opinion, and let me tell you they didn’t hold back lol. I had people from all over the world following the page including celebrities. My highest account number reached at one point was 2,169,451. My highest impressions were 9,179,087. My highest video viewed was 1,642,180. I was shocked and amazed. I never knew the page would grow so big. I had built my own lil’ Pillow Talk community lol. I would get DMS or comments on how the page brought people laughter during some of their tough times. I received one dm during the holidays that a follower lost some of her family members and my page was helping her through it with laughter. That meant a lot to me and that’s when I knew the page was bigger than me. The page was deleted and it crushed me, however, I was smart enough to have a backup page and I’ve been growing that page ever since. I believe I’m still the only show with an actual intro and video lol.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
My kids were always a part of my journey. When I was at Family Dollar, popup shops, the beauty supply, and the gas station they were right there watching me sell my merchandise. A lot of times they’re at my shows. I felt it was important for them to see their mother, a strong black woman on her grind. They’re my biggest fans and helped me out a lot. Everything I do is for us. In 2013 I found out I had rheumatoid arthritis. It was pretty bad for a while. They were trying
different medications and I was taking up to 13 pills a day and sometimes more than that. I was so little, weighing about 125. I was in a lot of pain and could barely move on a lot of days. My kids were helping me do a lot of the things we can take for granted such as getting dressed, picking up and opening things, and even turning the wheel of the car. I couldn’t even pick up a gallon of milk at one point. I remember getting my hair done and my beautician Ray asked how I was doing I told her I was in so much pain I thought I was going to die. There were times when I was in college hurting. My teacher would tell me I can be excused because I didn’t even have to say anything. She said she could see the pain in my face, but I stayed. That’s when I learned the word perseverance. I went through a lot while in college. Financial hardships, pain, and my middle son misbehaving but still graduated with an associate’s degree in applied science business management for the first time and then graduated from the honor society with a certificate in human resources. I’m so much better day today and I thank God. I feel like I learned the most during my darkest times. I found out how strong I was and that’s where the growth took place. To go through things in your personal life and your business can be hard. I’m raising 3 boys, working full time and I do everything for Pillow Talk (write shows, find talent, post videos, etc.). A lot of times we can be our worst enemy. I’m a Virgo and you know we’re perfectionists so I’m very hard on myself. I’ve had sleepless nights, worrying, feeling lost, not feeling like I’m going hard enough, depression, and anxiety. There were a lot of times I was struggling to pay for shows. So reaching your goal or destination is one thing, but being able to hold on until you get there is a whole ‘other thing. I have a GREAT support system and that’s very important because sometimes you need those words from someone else. I believe in you, I’m proud of you, everything is going to be ok, keep going, etc. My friends, my mom, who is my rock and always tell me “I’m a bad b*tch.” She’s my superwoman and my kids and I truly appreciate everything she does. I have a lot of entrepreneurs who give me advice, my 2 camera men Chris/Drip, my cousin Steph who helped a lot with Pillow Talk in the beginning, everyone who has sponsored a show, my Pillow Talk family, everyone who support Pillow Talk Houston including the tea pages and Floyd…
I never met a man like him. He always tells me I’m special and believe in me. He stands on business and always keeps his word to me. He’s like a knight in shining armor coming to save the day. He’s an extraordinary man and I’m blessed to have him in my corner. THANK YOU, I love you and everyone who has ever helped me and sent a positive message. A lot of people in today’s society want to “get it out of the mud” meaning do it by themselves but if they think about it, someone helped them along the way. God said He would send people to help you on your journey. I’m truly blessed.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I provide a platform for the community to express themselves freely. I’m showing people in a different light other than what you normally see them. What set Pillow Talk Houston apart from others is that it’s not just a podcast. I like to think of it as a variety show because we have all kinds of shows. Today Pillow Talk Houston is still doing relationship shows but has grown into personal interviews, informative shows, off-site shows, and skits. I created a show called “Riding with Ree” where the guest and I do an interview while riding in the car. The guest take me to some places in Houston that were pivotal in their journey. The last episode was done with a guest named Davesha. She was able to tell her story of being molested. It was a powerful show that neither she nor I knew would have so much impact. After the show aired women from all over were reaching out to her and some to me telling their stories, how brave she was and she was not alone.
She was their voice. Currently, I’m working on my first mini-series. It’s almost like a reality show. I also have a reality show that I would like to produce. I would like to do a short film or movie soon. Skies the limit, I just want to see how far I can go with my creativity and provide people with opportunities. I want Pillow Talk Houston to be on multiple streaming networks and one day has my own network to provide for creators.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
I would say research. I didn’t do any research really for any of the businesses I started. I just had an idea and took off. I don’t regret it though because I’m learning along the way with trial and error. I’ve also been blessed to have people step in and correct me, not just watch me fail.
The most important thing I’ve learned is mental health. Every action in your life starts with a thought. Your mind controls and shapes your life. Lust, hatred, fear, worrying, jealousy, resentment, etc all start in the mind. If you think good things, then good things will happen and if you think bad things, bad things will happen. That’s why mental health is very important. Sometimes you can know you’re in a mental battle and sometimes you don’t. Sometimes our mind gets tired because of the battle (and that may be why people commit suicide) of the things we think and things we don’t want to think. Your mind is your greatest asset. Satan doesn’t start with your behavior and not even with your emotions, he starts with your thoughts. The key to peace is being able to manage your mind. That can be challenging when you have thought a certain way for a long time. You have to retrain your brain to think in a new way (which I’m still working on). I’m learning about meditation and keeping a positive mind no matter what I’m going through. I was also seeing a therapist and exercising (some lol baby steps). I learned about manifestation. You have to visualize it, believe you can achieve it, write it down and take action. I was recently in a dark place and went through my own battle with my mind.
That’s when I found out how strong I really was because I didn’t think I was going to make it, but I’m still here. Sometimes life can be like you’re in a Nascar race. You know how they race a few laps then do a pit stop and start back? That’s how I look at it, sometimes you may have to stop but start back and don’t give up. There was a time not long ago I didn’t think I would be here. I believe the best is yet to come. I’m glad I’m still in the race.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @pillowtalkhoustonpt2
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@pillowtalkhoustontv
Image Credits:
Dr. Teeth
