Lisa Shepherd was born and raised in Germany. In 2007, she graduated from the University of Vienna (Austria) with a degree in Transcultural Communication. While volunteering in the Galapagos Islands, she met her British husband. Together, they traveled the world before settling in Leeds, UK. Lisa and her husband have two wonderful children who she considers her pride, joy, and greatest teachers.
Lisa co-founded The Biskery (formerly Bloom Bakers) with her friend Saskia Roskam. The online business specializes in personalized and branded biscuits. However, its core product is kindness, reflected in their commitment to spreading kindness in biscuit form and embedding it in all aspects of the business—from customer interactions to their environmental impact. Their vision is to introduce more female qualities into the business world, challenge stigmas surrounding working mothers, and run a purposeful business that enables women to balance careers and motherhood without guilt.
Tell us about your life before the venture/leading up to your venture.
I studied languages, which didn’t pave the way for a great career, but I loved learning them! My first proper job was at a digital marketing agency in Leeds, UK. I was hired for my language skills to support German-speaking clients on their campaigns. It was easier to teach me marketing and SEO than to teach a British marketing professional German!
At that agency, I met Saskia, my business partner. We bonded over our shared love for baking and the joy of creating something from scratch.
Tell us something about your organization. What is it about, and how is it helpful for people?
We spread kindness in biscuit form! During the pandemic, we sent out hundreds of free kindness biscuits, realizing our product was more than just a biscuit. Our hand-made and personalized biscuits help forge human connections, delivering messages in the sweetest way. They encourage moments of pause and gratitude, making people feel appreciated. Small gestures like these create a ripple effect, making the world a kinder place.
What has been the response of the consumers toward your venture?
We’ve been fortunate to receive tremendous recognition for our work. We’ve won awards like Best New Business, Best Bakery, and prestigious honors such as the Great Taste and Great British Food awards. Our biscuits aren’t just visually appealing; they are baked with my German grandma’s Linzer biscuit recipe, delivering a homemade taste.
Our customers appreciate not only our products but also our customer service, eco-conscious packaging, and the care we invest in our customers, team, families, and planet.
How has your life changed because of your venture?
I feel excited and proud to be building something meaningful with someone who inspires me. It’s incredible to see how our biscuits and message resonate with so many people. Our venture proves that another way of doing business is possible.
Most of my team, including me, works part-time and flexibly to prioritize our families. This balance doesn’t mean we don’t work hard; it means we work around our families and personal needs. This freedom means everything to me.
What are you working on right now?
We’re planning to relaunch our podcast and publish a recipe book. Stay tuned!
Give a motivational message for the audience/women who are reading this.
Clarity comes from action, not thought. Don’t overthink it—just do it! We often doubt ourselves and downplay our potential. Everything you need is already within you. Believe in yourself and trailblaze your own path!
Social Media Link:
@thebiskery
