Today we’d like to introduce you to sherry and Nico Sheco Farm
Hi sherry and Nico, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Sherry and Nico’s story began in the food service industry, where they worked for several years before meeting through a mutual friend. They were married in 2011 in a small ceremony in Connecticut before gay marriage was federally legalized. Sherry, born in Korea, is a Hospice Nurse from a family of chefs, while Nico grew up in West Texas and moved to Dallas to pursue her career as a Research Chef. They were naturally drawn together by their shared love for food, community, and a deep desire to serve others.
In September 2020, after the city lost its luster, they sought a more meaningful and purposeful way to live. This led them to leave urban life behind and embark on a new adventure together on a 5-acre homestead just 35 minutes east of Dallas, beginning an exciting journey as first-time homesteaders and hemp farmers.
They founded Sheco Farm (Sherry + Nico) as an extension of their dedication to holistic living. Embracing the Back to Eden farming method, a regenerative style of agriculture, Sherry and Nico focus on growing organic food and building a community centered around faith, food, and a love for nature.
Today, Sherry and Nico oversee their homestead where they care for a flock of over 100 egg-laying hens, raise chickens for meat production, cultivate a variety of organic foods, grow hemp, and tend to their beehives. At their homestead, you can find fresh eggs available for sale in a small fridge in their carport, still operating on the old-fashioned honor system—a testament to their value in community building.
Their commitment to regenerative farming practices extends to their business, Bocanna Skin, which harnesses the benefits of hemp under the Farm Bill. Bocanna Skin offers organic skin products, blending Full-spectrum Hemp CBD and active plant botanicals to provide a genuine farm-to-face skincare experience.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Sherry and Nico’s Entrepreneurial Journey
Starting the Homestead and Facing Challenges
“Entrepreneurship is not for everyone with a business idea. It demands discipline and resilience that can test your limits and risk everything you’ve built. Yet, for those who are willing to take the risk, no obstacle can deter you from pursuing your dream”. says Nico.
In September 2020, Sherry and Nico embarked on a significant venture by purchasing a homestead that required extensive work. Nico was exploring entrepreneurship in the hemp and medical cannabis industry, so purchasing a farm was not part of their original plan. Sherry supported the household with her full-time nursing job, making managing finances a major challenge. To address this, they agreed to live within their means on Sherry’s salary alone, using Nico’s consulting work to fund their entrepreneurial endeavors. This decision has become a strong foundation for their relationship and business goals, underscoring the importance of realistic financial planning in entrepreneurship.
Although they hadn’t anticipated buying a new property, Sherry and Nico wanted to keep their Dallas home as an investment property. They were determined to be sole owners and self-funded in their business endeavors. This approach meant spending their savings and making significant sacrifices, such as forgoing vacations. Entrepreneurship is demanding and slow, requiring resourcefulness, adaptability, and a willingness to take on multiple roles. Despite the challenges, it is also exhilarating, as it allows for personal and professional growth.
Nico’s Entrepreneurship Journey
In 2015, Nico left her decade-long career as an R&D Chef at PepsiCo Foods to explore the emerging hemp and cannabis industry. This transition demanded a significant financial investment, including travel to legalized states for conventions and countless hours of research to understand the industry’s complexities. Given the infancy of the industry and limited available information, Nico was largely self-taught during this exploratory phase.
However, laying this groundwork is crucial. “Establishing a solid foundation ensures that if you bring in partners or investors in the future, your brand is well-defined and poised for growth. As the brand owner, it’s essential to understand and articulate your brand’s identity and vision, demonstrating tangible progress rather than just ideas to potential stakeholders”, says Nico.
In 2017, she founded Bocanna Skin and began formulating the product line, initially without hemp until its legalization in 2018. The costs of developing the initial product line, packaging, laboratory testing, and brand management posed significant obstacles. Setting realistic timelines and budgets became particularly challenging while self-funding.
Nico explains the challenges of navigating the hemp industry: “Manufacturers could source hemp, but growing it in Texas was illegal, and interstate transport posed significant challenges, complicating the business model. Despite these hurdles, I was drawn to explore the industry. I had research and product development skills, so I approached it by building a business aligned with policy, instead of playing the grey areas of regulation so my business model was protected. As a Research Chef, I prioritize functionality, application, and process. Incorporating a functional ingredient like CBD becomes straightforward with a solid foundation. Operating within a regulated hemp market demands constant attention to policy, and flexibility to navigate regulatory shifts without compromising our business integrity.”
Texas was late to allow hemp cultivation, so it wasn’t until June 2020 that farmers could grow hemp as an agricultural crop. Sherry and Nico have grown hemp since the first licenses were issued, and currently have two products on the market, with three more expected by the end of 2024. Bocanna Skin is a single-source, female-owned company in Oak Ridge, Texas.
Texas Compassionate Use Program
In 2017, Nico also applied to the Texas Compassionate Use Program (CUP) to become a medical provider, navigating a complex application process as one of the original 43 applicants. The high application fee was a challenge for a young entrepreneur, but Sherry and Nico managed to make the $10K payment, viewing it as a crucial investment. Despite the program’s current standstill, Nico remains dedicated to advocating for patients and hopes the state will support minority businesses with HUB points and credit original applicants. “I would like to believe that the state wants to recognize applicants who have invested in the industry, and not just out-of-state applicants. It has taken a significant amount of time and resources to get this far, and small business owners like myself deserve a seat at the table,” says Nico.
CUP Overview
The Department of Public Safety (DPS) administers the Compassionate Use Program (CUP) in Texas, allowing qualified physicians to prescribe low tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) to patients with specific medical conditions. These conditions include ALS, autism, cancer, epilepsy, incurable neurodegenerative diseases, multiple sclerosis, PTSD, seizure disorder, and spasticity. Currently, there are two medical providers: Texas Original and Goodblends.
“Establishing businesses in this emerging industry has been challenging and frustrating, making our story unique because of this specific market. With just two providers, options are limited, which drives up medication costs, and our program lags behind successful medical programs in other states. This leaves many patients at a disadvantage in accessing affordable medications not covered by insurance”, says Nico.
To further support the industry, Nico founded Texans for Safe Access, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to advocating for safe access to medical cannabis for patients. This organization is part of the national organization Americans for Safe Access (ASA), based in Washington, D.C. ASA and its members have advanced public policy through a multidisciplinary approach, involving policy experts, public health professionals, attorneys, lobbyists, scientists, industry associations, and medical professionals. Despite slow progress in the regulatory framework, Nico remains committed to patient advocacy and to maintaining her TCUP application status.
Sheco Farm Journey
Once Sherry and Nico bought the farm, the real challenge began. They emptied their savings and spent the first two years cleaning up the property and repairing fences, roofs, and buildings. They established garden beds, started growing their poultry flock, and grew their first hemp crop in the spring of 2021. Despite financial struggles, they refused to take on debt, focusing on building their business and exploring different revenue streams.
Entrepreneurship and running a homestead require money, physical strength, and determination. Sherry and Nico are proud of their accomplishments. Both are hardworking and resourceful, understanding the financial demands of big dreams and willing to adapt to meet milestones together. The recent storms in June 2024 caused significant damage to their homestead and investment property, but they remain energized and hopeful for the future. Having faith in their path and having good insurance, they are optimistic about a thriving recovery despite setbacks.
Building the Life You Want
“Building the life you want requires setting goals, learning, and growing. This can be challenging if you are not a self-starter or struggle with staying motivated. Enjoying the journey and the lessons learned along the way creates a fulfilling life. Building a sustainable, exciting, and scalable business is the long-term goal. Being mindful of mental health allows you to craft a business that fits within your preferred lifestyle. Even if it takes a lifetime to build a dream, it’s worth the work to see your vision come alive”, says Nico.
Now that the homestead is established and the hemp industry is gaining traction, Nico has returned to R&D work. “Our life has many facets, and we take great pleasure in everything we work on. To go further, we will invest in the strong foundation we have built, creating a robust and resilient portfolio,” says Nico.
Sherry continues her full-time work as a Hospice Nurse, and Nico as an R&D Chef. Together, they fuel their dreams with a strong drive for entrepreneurship, and building the farm of their dreams.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Sherry Maddox
Hospice Nurse
Chicken Mama
Farm Hand
Beekeeper
Homesteader
Nico Murillo
Research and Development Chef
Entrepreneur
Hemp Grower and Manufacturer
Homesteader
501(c)(3) Texans for Safe Access – Director and Patient Advocate
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
The pandemic crisis taught us invaluable lessons about family, food sovereignty, and work-life balance. Coming from a background steeped in food, we were often troubled by the state of grocery stores and the slow recovery process, which pushed us to take greater responsibility for meeting our own needs.
Before the pandemic, the relentless pace of work was the norm across industries. Now, there’s a noticeable shift toward achieving balance. Many jobs have transitioned to hybrid or remote setups, emphasizing the newfound value placed on home life and the significant improvement in mental health for many individuals. This shift underscored the importance of self-reliance and sustaining our family’s well-being through mindful practices and sustainable living.
One of the most profound lessons learned was the ability to adapt and let go of preconceived notions. In the face of uncertainty, business setbacks, and logistical challenges, it would have been easy to abandon our dreams. However, navigating through the crisis taught us that by staying focused on adapting and moving forward, progress is still achievable. Even though the journey may span a lifetime, witnessing our efforts come to fruition makes every struggle worthwhile.
Pricing:
- Hemp Facial Oil $32
- Hemp Restore Balm $36
- Sheco Farm Branded Tee Shirt $20
- Sheco Farm Canvas Tote $25
Contact Info:
- Website: https://shecofarm.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shecofarm/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shecofarm
- Other: https://bocannaskin.com/ and https://txsafeaccess.org/
Image Credits
Monika Watkins – Producer/Director
