So You Want to be a Professional Mystic? Nine getting-started tips for teens and younguns (and anyone who wants to go pro)

You’ve got some mad mystical skillz and are obsessed with all things spiritual.

You’re also ambitious and are dreaming of starting your very own metaphysical business one day.

But one thing holds you back: you’re young. Like, really young.

You worry that you won’t be taken seriously if you’re still in braces and listening to Selena Gomez.

And unless your family is a modern day Addams Family, your parents might have dismissed your talents as some sort of “phase you’ll grow out of.” They might even try to push you into choosing a “real career” like a lawyer or accountant. (It’s less embarrassing to them.)

But you know yourself better than that. You know that you’re not cut out for a muggle job. You want to be a professional mystic and nothing is going to change your mind.

If you ever wished for an elder to give you advice on how to make the transition to pro at a tender age, I’m here to deliver the goods.

Pull up a chair.

First, a little hardcore truth: being a professional mystic (tarot, astrology, healer, psychic, etc.) is challenging and it’s not “easy money.” If anyone tells you differently, walk the other direction. This work requires guts, compassion, stamina, and complete devotion to your craft and clients. Got that?

If that didn’t scare you off, let’s get down to what you need to know before you go about the business of starting a business:

The most important tip you’ll ever get: think and act like a pro. You might get flack for your age. I did when I started my business. The best way to counteract this is to always act like a professional. You don’t have to dump your slang or your ICP t-shirts nor do you have to start putting on some phony act. But you do need to show up on time, follow through on your responsibilities, pay your bills, dress neatly, and speak like an adult. When you show up like a boss, you’ll deflect rude people – or you’ll stop letting them get to you.
Get educated on business and client care. Even if your mystical abilities are top notch, you’ll need to make sure you have proper business education and strong customer service skills. Take business classes when you can – both in person and online. (You can get free business education through your local Small Business Administration office’s SCORE program.) The more you know about the proper way to run a business, the more your business – and confidence – will grow.
Start a blog. It’s usually free and will introduce your work to a bigger audience. It’s also a great way to network with other mystical pros. (Check out Tumblr – it’s not only free but there is a lively community of fellow sacred artists over there.) Once you get comfortable putting your work on the world-wide web and are ready to invest, upgrade to a fully functional website. (PS there are free website builders like Wix or Weebly – but I prefer self-hosted WordPress.)
Pay your dues. When you begin, you may find yourself having to work for free a lot just to get the practice. We’ve all been there. Jump in and just do it. The more you practice, the tighter your skills will be.
If you’re squeamish about taking money for your work, get over it. While freebies help to build skills in the beginning, at some point you’re going to need to charge a fee (it’s not a business if you don’t take money). In the beginning, this can simply be a tip jar or donation badge on your blog, or you can choose to barter for services and goods with your friends. In time, you’ll want to establish rates for services and then begin charging. Once you have decided on your rates, make it easy for people to pay you (PayPal is fab) and then stop giving it away for free. This will create good business boundaries and you’ll start bringing in some dollah bills! Hell yeah!
Don’t be afraid to keep another job while you grow your business. There is nothing wrong with having a regular job and a side hustle. Once your metaphysical business is bringing in enough money, you can fade that other job out (or keep it if you like it!). Go for broke but don’t go broke. Being a broke-ass mystic is not an option. ‘Nuff said.
Network like you mean it. Get to know other people in your industry. Attend events or MeetUps when you can. Find communities of like-minded peers on social media. Reach out! You’ll get support plus you’ll be growing your brand.
Seek a mentor. Find an elder that you respect and see if they offer mentoring. Some offer paid services but others might agree to work with you for free! A mentor can help you navigate your career, build your skills (both mystical and business), and avoid the pitfalls. I highly recommend this because it will give you a leg-up and get you working like pro much faster than figuring it out the hard way on your own.
Stay curious. Keep learning. Never assume you’ve got it all figured out. Continue to develop your abilities and your business through education. A wise business person and mystic never stops the learning process.

It may seem intimidating to get your biz going when you are a teen or young pro, but start anyways. Don’t wait for permission or worry about being “too young.” (There is no “right age” to start a business.) Just do it.

(PS the bloom of youth won’t last, yo. You’ll be an old dawg in no time too.)

Blessings,

Theresa

image from stock photography