Meet Victoria Shepherd Burnett | Nonprofit Founder & Handyman’s Assistant

We had the good fortune of connecting with Victoria Shepherd Burnett and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Victoria, what do you attribute your success to?
That I don’t give up….anymore!

I used to run from everything that was remotely difficult. I was scared of everything and at the same time I thought I was invincible. Nothing was going remotely right for the first 3 years of my business. I had some success, but it was mostly flailing and flying by the seat of my pants. It wasn’t until August 2022, when I got sober from alcohol and other things that were holding me back, that everything changed. Who’da thought!

Now my fear of the unknown has disappeared and I believe in myself for the first time in my life. My business and personal life went from teetering on eviction and moving in with my in-laws to thriving in not one, but two businesses that I run with my family and many friends. A sober brain, healthier lifestyle and allowing myself to believe in something bigger than you and I is my key to success.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
First, I want people to know that the name, Shepherd Inn, did not come from the bible (happy coincidence). It’s actually my last name. I was extremely egotistical for most of my life and thought if I didn’t have my name in this business no one would know who I am and no one would know what I had accomplished. Now I realize that I want it to live on forever, for generations after I am gone, so taking “me” out of it is something I would like to do one day, but for now, we just call it The Inn!

The Inn is a 501c3 nonprofit organization in Dallas and Corsicana, Texas that provides no cost housing and social services, as well as low cost housing to women and families who have experienced severe trauma and struggled with addiction as a result. We also have a thrift store in Downtown Corsicana where people can donate pretty much anything and we sell it to help pay for our no cost program. We also started housing graduates of the no cost program in the beginning of 2023. With the rising cost of stable housing and our residents with a less than stellar credit score and background, it was nearly impossible for them to continue on into safe housing. That’s when we opened our first low cost sober living home. By the end of 2023 we have opened 2 houses, a duplex, a triplex and a fourplex for women, men, couples and small families desperate for a better life.

This resulted in us not being a traditional nonprofit that relies primarily on grant funding. Most of our revenue to pay for all our expenses comes from our graduates in the low cost housing program. Each resident knows when they start paying, that 10% of their weekly fees go to helping keep the no cost program open, and free, to those in need. In hindsight this accident of us just trying to keep people housed, was the best thing we could have ever done. Not just because it’s helping so many people, but because of the recent government, state and local funding cuts going on right now. Several BIG nonprofits have lost funding and are closing, some that I NEVER thought could close are shutting their doors. Being self-supporting on our own contributions is the foundation of our nonprofit and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I don’t think there’s enough space here to list everyone that has had a hand in the success I have received in the last few years. Actually, I usually don’t say “my success.” It feels too strange to say I did the things my organization has accomplished or my families personal business has succeeded in. I kind of look at myself as a connector and someone who wont stop until the end result is what its supposed to be.

I have an incredible mentor that helped me get sober and has never left my side. I have many, many, many female mentors in a variety of careers that I call on for help on a regular basis. Some male mentors as well. My mother and confidant, my father who just recently passed away (he and my mom helped me open my first shelter for homeless teens back in 2019) and my amazing in-laws that are the better half to our renovation business!!

Then there is my HUSBAND! He loved me when I didn’t love myself. He stayed with me during my worst times in my addiction and chose to come down into the depths of my destruction and not once shame me, but hold me. We are two sides of the same coin now. He’s the yin to my yang!

Website: https://theinndallas.org

Instagram: @theinnrecoverycommunity

Facebook: https://facebook.com/shepherdinn

Other: https://handybnb.co