Excelsior Springs Floral and Gifts, owned by Marvin and Nancy Shepherd, has been in business since 1982. With a passion for flowers that started at a young age, Marvin has been in the flower business for 63 years. The couple has been married for 54 years and has spent those years working together to create beautiful arrangements for their clients. The Shepherds opened their own store in Excelsior Springs after managing Brown Floral, and their love of flowers and each other has never waned.
In a recent interview, the Shepherds spoke about their journey into the world of flowers, their experiences during the Vietnam War, and their love for their community. Marvin started working at a flower shop when he was 11 years old in Hamilton, MO where he grew up. He continued to work in the flower business through high school before he eventually enlisted in the Air Force during the Vietnam War. Nancy worked at Hallmark Cards while Marvin was serving in the Air Force.
Marvin’s service in the Air Force took him to Pakistan, where he spied on the Vietnamese using electronic surveillance. He had a top-secret clearance to do his job, and the FBI conducted a thorough investigation before granting him clearance. His experiences in the Air Force were exciting for a 19-year-old, but he longed to return to the states. “After I got off that plane, I wanted to kiss the ground,” Marvin laughed. After his service, he returned home to Hamilton and took over the flower shop he worked at as a teenager.
The Shepherds eventually moved to Excelsior Springs after Marvin was asked to manage Brown Floral. The store had already been in the community for many years, and Marvin had a great working relationship with the owners, Frank and Kathy Perino. Marvin and Nancy enjoyed working together at Brown Floral, but when the store merged with the Perino’s other shop, they decided to open their own store, and Excelsior Springs Floral and Gifts was born.
The Shepherds have two daughters, Becky and Carolyn who both graduated from ESHS. Becky serves as a hospice nurse and also holds the position of Director of Nursing (DON) for Tiffany In-home Services, overseeing two retirement villages owned by the company. Meanwhile, Carolyn teaches at a school in Liberty and has begun studying to become a registered nurse. Carolyn also blessed the Shepherds with two grandsons (17, 14). Carolyn’s husband serves as the Director of Fine Arts for the Liberty School District. Despite their busy lives, Nancy said the family remains close-knit, with the Becky frequently stepping in to lend a hand when needed.
The Shepherds’ passion for flowers and their creativity has made their shop a staple in the community for 40 years. They love working with customers to create unique arrangements that fit their needs and desires. Their talent for creating beautiful arrangements has earned them a loyal following, and they appreciate the support of their community. “Everything we do is so personal. You know, whether customers are having a new baby, or whether they’re having birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, funerals, all phases of their lives,” Marvin reflected, “our customers know when they leave here that we really care about them.”
Marvin and Nancy’s love for their community goes beyond their business. They are active in the community and give back whenever they can. They are involved in local charities and organizations, and they feel that it is important to support the community that has supported them for so many years. The Shepherds’ dedication to their business and their community is an inspiration to everyone who knows them. Their commitment to each other and their business is a testament to the power of love and hard work and serves as an important example to the people of Excelsior Springs.
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I absolutely love this story about Marvin and Nancy! They are such beautiful people. Our community is so blessed to have their dedication to their business, their customers and our town!!! Marvin and Nancy…THANK YOU for what you do every day!
Thanks Molly for your kind words. You are also a great asset to our community and we are very fortunate to have you and your studio in our great community
Thank you for this wonderful article about my parents. They are the hardest working people that I know and I can only aspire to be to my patients and staff what they are to soooo many in Excelsior Springs. When you live what you do the results are undeniable!!!
Thank you again, Becky Shepard