No support system

NamasteIndia

lilac04 said:
Hi Namaste,

Can you ask your friends (very encouragingly) if they like free readings to start out with? That's how some other readers I know started out.

i had started that way 9 years back. one of my friend told her friends and they came
then i moved house and in this area the crowd is really bad

i mean criminals

and i have had bad episodes

even venturing out of house is dangerous

NamasteIndia

Nemia said:
What about teaching tarot? If you feel you have the knowledge, why not offer a course where you instruct others? Nobody gets rich by teaching but it has many benefits. I don't teach tarot (yet) but I know that I learn so much myself by teaching. And you'd expand the circle of your acquaintances who associate you with tarot, who can recommend you to others and spread the message. These things can take a long time but in every profession, you need patience to build up a reputation.

I've been thinking for quite some time I'd like to expand my tarot studies and practice by giving courses; didn't do it yet for various reasons. It seems to me a good way to put yourself "on the map".

i am not ready to teach yet. i am interested in reading

i feel its my life purpose or higher call to read

but opportunities are sublime

NamasteIndia

Citrin said:
Yeah, I've had the same thoughts...
I see a lot of people online starting tarot businesses that they do full time, but at the same they are economically supported by their spouse. I could never do that, I need to have my independence and private finances to feel like a free person. It would be wonderful to work full time with tarot and healing, but it really is hard for most of us. It takes years to build a stable client base, and the competition is usually quite tough.

But I must say, don't underestimate how much fun a "hobby business" can be! I've very much enjoyed selling readings through my Etsy shop. Some days it has been tough, when I've worked my 8 hours at my day job, come home hungry and tired, and had to finish two big readings... But so wonderful being able to help people, even if it's the only two people I read for during one week.

i don't get online business.

my country people are not open to such things

they consider it spam

i would love to read for public but need a platform and especially a place to sit regularly or weekends and read for people

NamasteIndia

Barleywine said:
Since I don't do on-line reading, I was constrained when I decided to return to professional practice after many years away. I casually mentioned my tarot interest to a local pagan bookshop owner who just happened to be looking for new readers (it was a stroke of luck); she sets up bookings for me and takes a cut. Since I'm in it more for the experience and fun rather than the money, and I'm interested in seeing her succeed, this is a perfect set-up for both of us. If this kind of support system is available to you, it's worth looking into.

wow.....i am gonna search something like this in my city.

i would search online and maybe i get some opportunity.

you were really lucky to get that deal.

NamasteIndia

Thoughtful said:
l also started my readings in a little shop that sold all things new age. l had got to know the owner and we came to an agreement that was suitable for us both. In fact she became a good friend. l really liked working in there with all the scent of the candles and incense wafting around. Form there it expanded by word of mouth.
It lasted quite a while for me until she upped sticks to go to Australia.

Perhaps Namaste you could find something similar, l wish you well.

Thank you for your wishes.

I am gonna search online for such shops.

Hope to find something.

NamasteIndia

AnemoneRosie said:
I don't have support either; I go to school full-time and I work two part-time jobs (and then have my tarot job on top of that, where I work for a couple websites as well as doing in-person readings). Most people that I know consider card-reading a passing phase for me, and so they don't support me going into business. I've stopped telling them.

Instead, I focus on all of the obligations in my life, and donate professional services to community events such as raffles and fundraisers. I put out business cards when I do this so that other people can contact me for a reading if they so choose. No, it's not full time, and it isn't intended to be. If it buys my groceries every now and again then that's fine. There's nothing wrong with going slow and steady I believe that it's a much safer bet than burning out for trying to do too much, too fast.

last couple of months we were financially very low and hit rock bottom.
i had done couple of reading at a event and saved some money

during this festival season that money came handy and we could tide through it.

i just spend my days sleeping and nothing happening in my hobby and career field

it would be so handy to get some extra income and also do something which i love
and utilise my time.

AnemoneRosie

NamasteIndia said:
getting clients is fine. but i need a place where i can sit regularly.

i can't get people into my home
and online readings are not in fad in my country

I don't allow people in my home either (aside from friends).
When I read for others I read in a public place - a bar, a quiet restaurant (don't go during the rush), or a café. I make sure to buy something from them.
I also make sure to bring business cards, as usually people get curious and want to talk to me about it, and sometimes ask about booking their own readings.

NamasteIndia said:
last couple of months we were financially very low and hit rock bottom.
i had done couple of reading at a event and saved some money

during this festival season that money came handy and we could tide through it.

i just spend my days sleeping and nothing happening in my hobby and career field

it would be so handy to get some extra income and also do something which i love
and utilise my time.

Yes. It's very handy. Sleeping all day is usually a sign that something is very wrong. You deserve to be healthy - in fact, if you are working professionally, one of the things that clients are paying for is your health. Some people find that having a routine is helpful?

I'm also a member of some other online groups, and they help to give me some support. I find it difficult to understand how your husband wouldn't be supportive of your bringing in some extra income while times are so difficult for you both.

NamasteIndia

AnemoneRosie said:
I don't allow people in my home either (aside from friends).
When I read for others I read in a public place - a bar, a quiet restaurant (don't go during the rush), or a café. I make sure to buy something from them.
I also make sure to bring business cards, as usually people get curious and want to talk to me about it, and sometimes ask about booking their own readings.

yes but that culture doesn't exist in my country.

just heading somewhere with strangers and people start questioning
but i can read in a mall for them
but for that i need a lead and people have to contact me atleast for me to read for them.

Yes. It's very handy. Sleeping all day is usually a sign that something is very wrong. You deserve to be healthy - in fact, if you are working professionally, one of the things that clients are paying for is your health. Some people find that having a routine is helpful?

I'm also a member of some other online groups, and they help to give me some support. I find it difficult to understand how your husband wouldn't be supportive of your bringing in some extra income while times are so difficult for you both.

usually i take decision in the house he is very submissive type and doesn't know how to run a house or take decision

so everything falls on my shoulder from house management, to child management and at bad times i end up pawning my jewellery given by my mother and many times selling the jewellery

so yes things get tough.

here he is unable to do much and plus he himself doesn't know how to help

NamasteIndia

i searched online for stores etc but couldn't find any.

bookshop i had contacted crossword but no response from them.

i had wrote to the mall for a small side corner

no response from them too.

AnemoneRosie

NamasteIndia said:
yes but that culture doesn't exist in my country.

just heading somewhere with strangers and people start questioning
but i can read in a mall for them
but for that i need a lead and people have to contact me atleast for me to read for them.

usually i take decision in the house he is very submissive type and doesn't know how to run a house or take decision

so everything falls on my shoulder from house management, to child management and at bad times i end up pawning my jewellery given by my mother and many times selling the jewellery

so yes things get tough.

here he is unable to do much and plus he himself doesn't know how to help

Reading in the mall is a good idea! Maybe you don't need to ask for permission; if it has a table to sit at, or a bench to sit on, you can say that you're waiting for someone if asked, or that you're playing a game and that you'll be done soon.

Where I live there are public spaces like libraries and parks - you could read there, too, if there is something similar.
It's really rough that you have to pawn your mother's jewellery to support him. It sounds like he could use some support for himself on how to help out with the household.

NamasteIndia said:
i searched online for stores etc but couldn't find any.

bookshop i had contacted crossword but no response from them.

i had wrote to the mall for a small side corner

no response from them too.

Are there any open public spaces, like a square, a park, a church, a library, a courtyard?
Maybe you can ask other people in your country how they start businesses for themselves. For example, some of my friends started running a store. I bet that if I asked them I could use the store space while they are closed.