Rhonda Bullard
President of Bullard Cattle Company LLC
What inspired you to start your business?
Bullard Cattle Company was started in 1996 in Texas as a result of my late husband Gary Bullard purchasing 2 cows to start a legacy similar to his grandfather over 6 decades ago. His grandfather Herbert Brast ran a dairy farm in the early 1940’s and 50’s servicing the Kruse’s creamery’s which has become Blue Bell. The Cattle we source are sustainably raised 100% grass-fed and grass finished which offers the finest nutrient-rich grass-fed beef available. We don’t feed them any antibiotics, GMO or hormones ever! All the cattle are treated humanely from birth to processing. Our family has been proud to run cattle for over 6 generations and plan to continue the legacy for generations to come.
What challenges have you faced as a woman entrepreneur and how did you overcome them?
Stereotypes. Owning a ranch, knowing my industry, along with showing up with trucks, trailers and cowgirling up when needed usually puts those stereotypes to rest.
What advice would you give to other women entrepreneurs?
Never give up and keep pursuing your business model every day. The break, the order, the next big opportunity is in the push for success.
What three traits define you?
Faith in God, Trailblazer, Optimism with strong can-do attitude.
What women inspire you?
Oprah Winfrey, Cher and Maya Angelou
How has being a WBENC-Certified WBE helped your business?
Information to resources and coaching, networking and comradery of other women entrepreneurs.
What do you see as the coolest or most important trend in your industry?
Grass-fed, pasture raised, sustainably sourced livestock, no GMO, no hormones.
As a business owner, what keeps you up at night?
Need for more sales to make to next step in business plan.
What are the biggest obstacles you see for young female entrepreneurs?
The sky is the limit if you set your mind to it and surround yourself with WBENC Cheerleaders!
What do you love about being a business owner?
Independence and ability to do more philanthropic activities within the business model.
What’s the hardest part about being a business owner?
Finances at first, but I know the windows of opportunity will open soon.
How do you define success?
Making an impact with every pound sold being able to give back to the American Heart Association.
What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve ever received?
Never limit yourself, always find a way….be a PPS (Professional Problem Solver).
What’s your favorite career moment?
Getting WBENC-Certified on my own Beef Company! It was by far the BEST career highlight.
If you didn’t have to sleep, what would you do with the extra time?
Easy — traveling and dancing! I would dance on every continent learning local dances and experiencing each culture.
What are you reading or listening to now?
Beef magazines mostly, keeping up to date with current beef trends.
What’s the best way to start your day?
Stretching, then coffee and hit the fields to check on cattle, my office is big open field.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Actress on a soap opera or country and western singer who had lots of fringe and sparkly costumes.
How do you unwind after a long workday?
Glass of wine or cold ice tea and sitting on porch watching the sunset.
What do you like about your workspace?
Open fields of rolling green grass hills and healthy happy cows mooing in the distance. Beautiful!
Fill in the blank:
When I face a challenge, I... dig in and think entirely through the problem, then work my way back to the beginning. Usually in the process will solve the issue or ask a WBENC sister!
If I could go back in time, I would tell myself… to start a business sooner! You can do anything you truly set your mind too.
The one thing I couldn’t live without is… God, Family and Wine to go with my delicious Beef Jerky!
By this time next year, I will be… at a million in sales mark!
To get my creative juices flowing, I… take a brisk walk or jog on my country road.
Bullard Cattle Company
Bullard Cattle Company LLC is a grass-fed certified beef distributor, and beef jerky manufacturer in Texas. They strive for quality and all of their cattle live their entire lives on the pasture. They never step foot in a high stress feed lot and all their beef is antibiotic-free, hormone-free and GMO-free.
