Meet Brandi, Our Founder's Story.

Let me introduce myself. My name is Brandi Shephard, I was born and raised on the west side of Akron, Ohio in a single-parent household. My mother brought up four children; I have two older sisters and one younger brother.

 

At the tender age of five, my father went to prison for 26 years putting a major financial and emotional strain on our family. Growing up I remember feeling sad and embarrassed seeing others with their fathers while mine was not around. So, I began seeking the love and attention of a father in all of the wrong places.

At the age of 18, I became a mother. At the time, I truly thought that having a child at a young age was normal. Later, I discovered that I was just repeating a generational cycle and following a trend. My mother was a teenage parent as were both of my sisters and a few girls at my high school.

 

After completing high school I went to dental assisting school where I received a dental certification. After working as an assistant for a year, I realized that taking care of my daughter without the help of welfare was impossible. I knew I had to do something to give my baby a better life.