Today we’d like to introduce you to Shea Whitley.
Hi Shea, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
It all truly started when I moved to North Carolina back in October of 2021. That is when the interest started – the origin of my passion. I was living with some family members who just so happened to already have an interest in the “homesteading field.” They had grown gardens before. They had baked their bread from scratch. They were invested in homesteading families that shared their journeys on different media sources. I started finding an interest in what these families (and my own) were investing their time in.
Over the years, the passion and the admiration continued to grow. I was helping create homemade meals. I was doing my own research on different corners of the homesteading world. I was volunteering at local farms. I was learning how to make my own bread – courtesy of my Aunt Jenny. I was propagating plants I found along trails. I was investing extra time in learning more and soaking up as much knowledge as I possibly could.
Luckily, North Carolina is a hotbed for the simple, country lifestyle. I was meeting people through church that began investing their time in me and teaching me. I was creating a community, unlike anything I had ever had before.
Then, there was a bit of a bump in the road.
Circumstances arose, and God opened the doors for me to move back to my hometown in Florida back in April of 2022. I was back living with my mom and my brothers, I had a temporary nanny job, and I didn’t know what was next. It felt that just as many steps forward I had taken in North Carolina, I had taken twice the amount of steps back when I moved back to Florida. I knew that this was a part of God’s plan for me, but I just wasn’t sure why yet.
Fast forward about 6 months, October of 2022 – practically a year to the day that I had originally moved to North Carolina, I had received a sourdough starter kit from one of the homesteaders that I had learned so much from through her social media. With that, I thought, “I want to share this with everyone I know.” Homesteading isn’t something that is common in a coastal city in Northern Florida. So, with all of that, I decided that social media was the way to go. I mean, how else was I going to tell everyone I know?
Now here we are, halfway into 2023, and I have gained so much experience. I started my own social media accounts 8 months ago – Homestead By Shea. I harvested my first itty bitty potatoes. Baked my own sourdough, sandwich bread, bagels, and more. I have propagated my first herbs. Learned more about naturopathic medicinals and homemade cleaning and hygiene supplies. I have sold my own sourdough starter kits. And So. Much. More. I am going back to North Carolina August of 2023 to further this future business and carve the path God has for me.
This is just the beginning.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
A “smooth road” would not be the way I would describe the journey of Homestead By Shea. I have had a full spectrum of struggles, from the little things to the life-altering things. I have moved states two – going on three times. I have had bread come out unsuccessfully. I have been looked down on because of my age. I have had seasons of exhaustion where I felt like I didn’t have it in me anymore. I have dealt with loss in my personal life. I have had my entire garden die. So on and so forth.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As of right now, my “business” is more of a creative outlet to pursue my passion with a goal to transform it into a profitable business that is not only beneficial for me but those that invest in Homestead By Shea. I absolutely love sharing my learning journey. Sharing the process from the start and letting people know that it is never too late to start anything – especially if it is something you love.
I am most proud of my steadfastness to my craft and my reliance on the Lord in this process. I believe there are two major factors that set me aside. My faith comes first in everything, and I have only been able to accomplish the things that I have because of the Lord. Also, I don’t see a lot of other women or individuals my age that are invested in this lifestyle and business. A lot of them are older and married with families with their own land and do this full-time. I am in my early 20s, single, and practically house-hop with a full-time job. Yet, no matter where I am or what my circumstances are, I do what I do because I love it.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you.
Luck is such an interesting thing. I don’t believe that things happen for no reason – that you just by happen-stance landed into a situation or an opportunity. Actions lead to consequences, good and bad. Your decisions determine your path.
Pricing:
- Basic Sourdough Starter Kit – $6 (Local Only)
- Premium Sourdough Starter Kit – $12 (Local Only)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://homesteadbyshea.home.blog/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/homesteadbyshea?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/homesteadbyshea
