The Tribe

20/02/2025

I can't remember the last time I shared a post about who I am. So here goes!

So I'm Stacey Sheppard. Apart from running The Tribe and helping women to start and grow businesses here in Devon I also wear many other hats.

In my actual career I am a professional content creator, freelance writer, journalist and interior design influencer. In 2009, I started an interior design blog which has become one of the Top 10 interior design blogs in the UK (currently ranked 6th) and one of the Top 100 interior design blogs on the internet (currently ranked 25th). I'm also ranked as one of the top 60 interior design influencers. 😯

Over the years, I have created content for some of the UK's most well-known household brands including Samsung, Tesco, John Lewis, Magnet Kitchens, Dulux, Joseph Joseph, Rug Doctor, Valspar, Balsam Hill, Sainsburys, Duravit, Black & Blum, DFS and so many more.

I have spoken at industry events such as Grand Designs Live, been a speaker on interior design panel events and even been on national TV as a guest on The Gadget Show 🤯

I have a real passion for creating authentic content that helps businesses tell their brand story in a way that helps them to connect with and engage with their audience and ideal clients. I love helping people hone their brand and create strong foundations so that their content becomes playful, enjoyable and effortless.

I am currently super interested in AI and how it can be harnessed to help small businesses hone our sales and marketing strategy. It's incredibly powerful and petrifying at the same time. 🫣

Oh and more recently, I decided I didn't have enough on my plate with all that so I launched a FREE digital magazine for women in business and female entrepreneurs in Devon with the formidable You can check that out over

All that as well as mumming two awesome daughters.

If you have any questions for me, or need any help with anything related to all that, leave a comment below or pop me a DM.



📸 By

16/02/2025

Stop self-doubt from sabotaging your success!!!

Self-doubt is a natural human emotion that we all go through at a certain point.

If you are self-employed, a freelancer or founder of your own business, theweight of responsibility can be extremely heavy and there is an immenseamount of pressure involved.

Can I make this work? Do I have the necessary skills? Is my marketing strategyworking? Will I make enough money this month? Will people buy my newproduct?

The ways in which we can doubt ourselves are never-ending.But if self-doubt becomes crippling and starts to hold us back, we need to have astrategy that will help us to overcome it.

We therefore need tools to help ussilence the inner critic that tries to talk us out of doing the things we need or want to do.

Click the link in my bio and sign up to my mailing list and I'll send you my personal toolkit of strategies I use to stop self-doubt from sabotaging my success.

You got this!! You were given this dream for a reason and you are more than capable of making it work. Self-doubt can get in the bin!!! 🗑️

15/02/2025

At The Tribe, we don't just want to see you succeed, we want to help you get there. Being part of the Tribe community means you never have to feel like you're doing it all alone.

Sure you're probably still going to be the only person working in your business if you join us, but you will feel like you have a whole team of women behind you cheering you on, looking for opportunities for you, being an ambassador for your business, championing you when you're not even there, collecting resources for you, sharing contacts with you, coming up with ideas for you and making introductions for you.

You'll also find women to sit with you in the discomfort when everything feels super hard. You'll find someone to give you a hug when you need it. To hand you a tissue when your tears need wiping. To message you and check you're ok when they haven't seen you in a while.

And you'll find women who want to celebrate you and all your wins.

I s**t you not, we have an actual success bell that we ring for you and your wins, no matter how small!!!

At The Tribe we genuinely want to see you succeed!

If this sounds like the kind of space you want to be in, send me a DM and let's get you signed up. There is no minimum commitment on our PAYG membership. Come as little or as much as you want.

And if you want more commitment we have monthly tariffs too. 1 day a week, 2 days a week, or full time? Entirely up to you!

Can't wait to welcome you to the Tribe.

08/02/2025

Have you read issue 2 of yet?

It has been out a week now and we've already had some lovely feedback from readers.

I love the fact that the main theme running through this issue is "Less but Better" a term coined by Industrial Designer Dieter Rams. (Thanks for the reminder).

This issue features articles on why it's better to focus your energy on being the REAL you rather than a NEW you, why it's important to slow down in order to make more progress, and why we need to focus on doing less in our business but doing it better.

We also share the stories of some truly inspiring local women...

Emily, a carpenter tells us what it's like working in a male-dominated industry

Sam tells us how she's always had that entrepreneurial spirit and how it has enabled her to grow her business to new heights of success

Alison Theaker discusses the importance of mentoring for women.

The wonderful delivers the news that we can make money AND do good.

We hear from who shares her tips for building a sustainable business in 2025

And we learn about who are organizing social meetups for local women in need of fun and friendship.

And explores why professional photography is an absolute must-have for your business.

Go to Insta on desktop and copy this link to read the issue:

https://issuu.com/athenamagazine/docs/athena_business_magazine_volume_2_-_a4

If you enjoy the mag, please share it. A woman you know may need to hear something shared in its pages. And let's make sure the women featured get the reach they deserve. 🫶

And don't forget to join the mailing list so you get future issues delivered straight to your inbox.

And one last request...please let me know what you thought of the issue and what you might like to see in issue 3 which comes out in May!! 🙏

17/01/2025

Wanna join me for a casual coffee morning on Monday? It's apparently Blue Monday, the most depressing day of the year. I don't buy into this marketing ploy but there is no getting away from the fact that January can be a tough month for so many of us.

It's dark and cold, the Christmas sparkle has gone, it feels like Spring is a million months away. Business can be slow. And it can be a lonely time.

If you'd like to get together, we'll be celebrating Brew Monday instead in aid of the Samaritans and the support they provide for people who need it.

Come along for a coffee, catch-up and some connection and donate to Samaritans at the same time.

See you there! Events link in to book.

Stacey

11/01/2025

A few weeks ago, the fabulous ran her event at The Tribe in our beautiful studio. And the incredible was on hand to capture these beautiful photos of the magical day.

We already have lots of events taking place in 2025 in the studio which is SO exciting. My recurring nightmare of it sitting empty and being the downfall of my business does not seem to be becoming a reality thank god. 🤦🏽‍♀️

If you're looking for a venue to host your event this year, please do check out the studio. It's perfect for women's circles, workshops, photoshoots, book clubs, team get togethers, little parties, networking events, meetups, coworking sessions and so much more.

Check out the Event Space page on my website (link in bio) for details on hiring the space, prices and T&C's.

I held my first event of 2025 up there yesterday. We had .coaching on hand sharing some of her accounting wisdom for Tax Club. Sue is incredible and the extra finance knowledge she brings to her health and wellness coaching is so valuable for ambitious female entrepreneurs who want to grow wealthy but stay healthy!!

If you'd like to join Tax Club check out the events page on our website for details of upcoming monthly meet-ups.



Do you need to get a handle on bookkeeping and tax?

28/12/2024

As the year slowly draws to a close, it’s the perfect time to hit pause and reflect. What have we experienced? What have we learnt? And where do we want to go next? What do we want to double down on and what do we want to leave behind? ✨

Most of us started our businesses because we craved more freedom, joy, and fulfillment. Yet somewhere along the way, our vision of success gets compromised. We get caught up in what society tells us we need to be successful. But success is a personal thing. It means something different to everyone. If we're not careful, we can lose sight of our dreams and accidentally create a life that imprisons us rather than sets us free.

That’s why I created a workbook full of end-of-year journal prompts to help us:
🖊 Reflect on the lessons and growth of this year.
🖊 Set meaningful goals that align with the life we want.
🖊 Design a 2025 full of clarity, intention, and balance.

This isn’t about hustling harder. It’s about stepping back, getting clear, and making sure our goals honour the life we’re dreaming of.

And the best part? It’s only £4.44—a small investment to create a big shift in how we approach the year ahead.

📖 Click the link in bio to grab your copy and start journaling your way into a clearer, more intentional 2025.

Let’s make sure 2025 is a year we design with purpose—because our dreams deserve to come true. ✨

26/11/2024

Need somewhere that is not your home or a cafe to meet with clients and hold your meetings?

Or simply need a quiet space to get your head down and crack on with some work on your own?

Our meeting room is available to hire for members and non members.

Will comfortably accommodate up to six people. All tea, coffee and water included.

Members can book on the booking system. Non members can DM for booking details.

01/11/2024

I am running a workshop next week on how to pitch yourself to magazines. If you are a woman in business and you would love to get featured in magazines and have your business featured this could be helpful to you.

Fran will also be running a workshop on the same day teaching how to create adverts for magazines so that you can reach a wider audience by placing ads in relevant publications.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-to-pitch-article-ideas-to-magazines-like-athena-tickets-1054811522659

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-to-create-adverts-for-magazines-like-athena-tickets-1054855303609

07/10/2024

10th October is World Mental Health Day.

The official theme for 2024 is mental health in the workplace and a light will be shone on the pressing issue of burnout and the chronic stress that leads to it.

Employers and organisations across the UK will be focusing on supporting employees to create healthier more resilient workplaces where mental well-being is a priority.

But what about those of us who work alone, from home? Who supports our mental health and wellbeing? Who looks out for us and makes sure we don't end up burnt out?

In the first issue of we featured an article by Victoria Brookbank from Victoria is a consultant who specializes in mental health in the work place. She provides training and advice to businesses of all sizes including large corporates.

Sign up to read Athena Magazine for free at www.athenamagazine.co.uk

On Thursday, Victoria will be joining us for a coffee morning and sharing some advice and tips for lone workers on how to look after our mental health and wellbeing and avoid burnout.

Entrepreneurs are particularly vulnerable when it comes to mental health. Make sure you're not suffering alone.

Come and have a cuppa and a chat with us.

Because, as always...we're stronger together!!

DM me to book your place.

You'll get to see our new space too. EXCITING!!

27/09/2024

This week from 26th September to 03rd October 2024 is British Finance Week. This is an initiative of the British Business Bank to help businesses across the UK to access the finance they need to start up and grow.

We know from research that awareness of and access to finance is one of the biggest barriers that women face to starting and growing businesses.

This is why it is part of our mission to help raise awareness of this for the women in our community and why we have featured an article on this in the first issue of

There are online workshops that you can attend throughout British Finance Week and you can find details of what they are, when they take place and how to register in the magazine.

If you haven't subscribed yet simply visit www.athenamagazine.co.uk to get your FREE copy sent straight to your inbox.

If you're already subscribed don't forget to check out the article so you don't miss out on the events by

17/09/2024

It is out!!! launched yesterday.

You can now read the first issue for FREE.

Simply head to www.athenamagazine.co.uk and sign up to the mailing list and we will send it direct to your inbox within minutes.

Please share this post far and wide. If even a fraction of my followers share this post to their network on here or other social media channels we can create some serious magic for women in Devon.

Women are doing incredible things in Devon, imagine what could happen if they were all able to share their skills, knowledge and experience, widen their networks and learn from one another. We'd be unstoppable. And to be honest, isn't that just what the world needs right now? More unstoppable women?? I believe so!!

Let's make this the equivalent of a childhood chain letter. Send it to 10 friends!!!

19/07/2024

Yesterday was a lovely day coworking with women from the BIPC Devon Women in Business course and others at Newton Abbot Library!

Don’t forget to pop into the coworking event in Newton Abbot Library this Thursday! We encourage women in Devon to join in if you would like to try working in a new environment with like-minded entrepreneurs.

Book on Eventbrite: https://bit.ly/4cb4bSz

The Tribe

17/07/2024

We're hosting a book launch!!

The incredible Nette Hargreaves of has only gone and written a bloody book!!

How frickin' awesome!!! So of course I wanted to hold our first event in our new home to celebrate this momentous occasion. I mean she's written an entire book!!

Purposeful Parenting: a practical human design handbook for raising confident, authentic and resilient kids

If you know anything about human design you will know what an incredibly powerful tool it is for understanding ourselves. And we can also use it to understand our children and become better parents.

If you don't know anything about human design but you want to be the best parent you can be, this is the book you need to read.

So I invite you all to pop along to the book launch on Friday. It's a drop in event from 11.30-14.30. There will be drinks and nibbles. And of course Nette will be here to tell you all about the book.

And obviously I urge you to buy the book. 🙏 Do it for yourselves, for your children or even for your friends who have children. And do it for Nette. 😁

Writing a book is a labour of love. I know how much of her heart, soul and energy went into this book. And I also know how incredible it is. I've read every single word of that book. It's brilliant.

DM me if you want to come!!!

Women celebrating women is what we do best!!

16/07/2024

We are open! If you want to book in for coworking and check out our new home, now you can. The wait is finally over! The doors to Tribe 2.0 are finally open.

We still offer our day passes for women who need the ultimate flexibility.

£15 for a full day (09.30-17.00)
£12.50 for a school day (09.30-15.00)

And we have a host of new membership options to choose from if you need something a little more structured with some added accountability thrown in.

£50 p/m for Explorer Tariff (1 day a week)
£90 p/m for Cultivator Tariff (2 days a week)
£120 p/m for Builder Tariff (up to 5 days a week)

FREE PARKING ONSITE!!!

FREE TEA AND COFFEE!!!

FREE SUPPORT FROM OTHER AMAZING WOMEN!!!

Drop me a DM if you have any questions or want to find out more.

10/07/2024

When the morning light greets you like this and your heart just wants to explode with joy and gratitude.

I swear this place is magical. Tribe 1.0 was magical too but this is another level.

This is where upgrades will be happening.

This is a place for expansion.

This is a place for up-levelling.

This is a place for bold moves.

This is a place for doing the things that scare the s**t out of you!

This is a place for jumping into the unknown and having faith that the bridge will appear.

This is the place where dreams are made reality.

This is the place to find your tribe.

If you're ready for any of this, this is the place that you can call home.

DM me if you'd like to book a desk when we open next week!

I cannot wait to see you!!

22/05/2024

Are you focused on what is out of your control?

Since I started this journey five years ago I have been on a huge learning curve. I've always been a bit of a control freak. I like to have all my ducks in a row. I like my plan to...well, go to plan!!

When something unexpected comes along that throws me off it can of course be difficult to deal with. It's tempting to dwell on it, worry about it, obsess over it and focus on it. But does this help?

I learnt how damaging this can be during the pandemic. So much was out of our control. I spent far too long stuck in a spiral of worry about things that were so far out of my control.

Luckily I've learnt how pointless this is. Instead I now focus on the things I can control. It feels so much lighter!!!

If you're focusing on things you can't control, please flip the switch. Make an actual list or a diagram like this. Figure out what is outside of your control and what is within your control. Focus on that!!! Forget about the rest. Stay in your lane and just do you!!

Drop a comment below letting me know what is out of your control and what you are focusing on instead. Let's turn this into a post that inspired someone today!!!

I'll start with mine in the comments!

17/05/2024

Can you hear her? That quiet voice inside of you who knows exactly what you want and why and how to take you there?

Do you listen to her? Do you allow her to speak?

Or do you drown her out and subdue her with distractions?

What is she telling you to do?

And why are you afraid?

Is it because you've never done it before?

Is it because you're not sure if you're capable?

Is it because it feels risky or dangerous?

Is it because you're scared of what people will say?

Is it because you're scared of failing?

How does it feel when you ignore her calls?

How much longer can you drown her out?

If you know it's time to acknowledge her and take the leap, know that you don't have to leap on your own.

There is a whole Tribe of us over here leaping into the unknown too.

I can't promise you it will be easy. But my God there is just something about following your soul calling that cannot be matched. It's a ride alright, but what a thrill!

This weekend, take some time to listen. To really listen. What is she saying? And ask yourself if you're ready to leap.

I'm off to read again.

Have a great weekend you beautiful souls.