Going ‘Pro': The Inspiring Journey of a Young Tarot Reader with Sam Pelletier

I am so inspired when I see the readers on the My Tarot Club Free Readings page blossom into true Tarot professionals by starting up their business and living their dreams. Over the next few Fridays, I want to share with you a few of these success stories, perhaps to inspire you, too, to take your passion with the cards and turn it into a profession. You’ll see how unique and special each journey is, and how each reader overcame their fears to become a confident professional Tarot reader.

Our first case study is with 21 year old Sam Pelletier. I really connect with Sam’s story because I was also in my early 20s when I started to read Tarot professionally. I remember my own anxieties with having such a ‘young’ face and wondering whether people would take me seriously given my age. Yet Sam has transcended this so well by acknowledging this fear and establishing herself an “energetic translator” where age is of no concern.

{Brigit} Tell me about your Tarot journey, from when you picked up your first deck of cards to now?

{Sam} I started spiritual sojourning in my very early pre-teens so my first encounters with the Tarot were very brief. I had my first professional reading with you in September 2011 at the suggestion of a friend but it wasn’t until after my Mum’s passing in November that any sort of serious interest in Tarot was born. I literally woke up one morning after her passing and felt an inexplicable urge to buy a deck – I bought two, actually, the original Rider-Waite and the Universal – and after that it was off to the races. I dove in two feet first and immediately started reading for friends. I tried my best to be a good Tarot pupil and read what other people had to say about the cards (including you!) but alas, I’m stubborn, and I just, well, read the cards! I slept with them, carried them around in my purse, played with them between classes and pretty much any spare moment I could get.

What followed was a series of spiritual 2x4s to the face, is probably the best way to describe it. I connected with my mentor, Karen Hager, in an attempt to make sense of it all and she was the one who explained that I had strong inclinations (I refuse to say “gifts”) as an intuitive medium. After several months of watching me develop, I had a private reading with her for my 21^st birthday in October where she very firmly, but gently, nudged me out of the nest. Had it not been for her and the support system I have around me, I don’t think I’d be here at the moment!

{Brigit} What did you do to prepare for yourself for becoming a professional Tarot reader?

{Sam} Being a university student who was self-employed as a tutor, I’ve had the luxury since the very beginning of being able to spend anywhere from 10-20 hours a week learning, playing and being immersed in my spiritual pursuits, so I’m pretty sure my learning curve is atypical. But the key for me was doing readings. I’ve offered free readings through a number of different internet venues, by word-of-mouth through my friends and by reading for charity at an art + music event that was held regularly at a neighbourhood cafe, where I also sat outside during the week while I studied and did readings for customers. Beyond the hands-on learning, I’ve spent a good deal of time just observing other people by reading blogs, listening to podcasts and attending webinars and the occasional in-person event just to get my feet wet.

{Brigit} How did you know you were ready to become a professional Tarot reader?

{Sam} Honestly? I had to be told. I had vented frustration and a desire to charge if only to keep people from treating me ‘like a circus freak’ but I wasn’t serious about it as a business idea for me, at least. It took my mentor and several follow-up confirmations to knock the idea through my head all the way. I’m admittedly still very shy about sharing what I do despite my passion for it, but I’m trying to stop being such a turtle.

{Brigit} What has been your biggest fear or challenge in taking this leap, and how did you overcome it?

{Sam} It’s a combination of being shy and having a serious complex around age and qualification. Between my baby face, having just reached the big 2-1 and having only been on the block for a little less than a year and a half, I constantly question my readiness. But I try to reframe these concerns in a healthier context by first acknowledging that I am a translator, an energetic one, and I will inevitably get something wrong regardless of how many years I’ve got going for me, and my youth simply means that I have been tremendously blessed by knowing my purpose relatively early.

{Brigit} How did you go about setting up your Tarot business?

{Sam} My business is still in baby steps stage, but the first thing I did was separate out my finances by opening up a separate checking and a savings account for book-keeping purposes. I outlined a business plan, I set up my own website, blog and mailing list and I proceeded to experiment with different price points and ways of offering readings. My Kindle continues to be my best friend – she’s chock full of business and coaching books that continue to be of great insight and inspiration for the long road ahead.  It’s a work in progress and always will be.

{Brigit} Tell me about your Tarot business. What makes you special?

{Same} The Cosmic Switchboard was a name that came to me during a jam session with my sister, Marcelle. To me, the cosmos represent a union of who I am as a reader: a blend between the physicality of Nature and the ethereal nature of Source that connects everything beyond the confines of distance and time. I try to be earthy in my approach while still acknowledging that it’s not me, it’s Source. I’m just the vessel. I’m a hotline to the Universe when you’re ready to take its call.

As far as what makes me special, I come to the table with the intention of being a 21^st century equivalent of a wise woman and a coach rather than a predictive fortune-teller. I focus on your past and your here and now, the only part I play with the future is giving you an idea on where you’re headed and helping you decide your trip itinerary, including changing the destination where possible. I’m all about opening the door to co-creative action as much as humanly possible.

At the moment, the bulk of my readings are done via e-mail but I offer readings by Skype voice and Instant Message, which should be expanding to include via phone shortly. To book a reading, drop on by my website at www.thecosmicswitchboard.com

{Brigit} What’s your vision for the next 12 months for your Tarot business?

{Sam} Oh gosh, that’s a hard question! I would honestly like to see my business evolve and expand beyond what I’m doing now to include intuitive coaching and perhaps teaching/writing. Jessica Bowman and I currently are collaborating on TCS for BlogTalkRadio in addition to putting together a deck which will hopefully be published in the next 1-2 years.  I also have an e-course brewing that combines intuitive Tarot and shamanism together to help women connect with their inner Divine Feminine. At this point, I’m looking forward to a productive year and leaving the door open for any surprises the Universe wants to send my way.

{Brigit} What do you believe will be critical to your future success?

{Sam} Love. I would not be the woman and reader I am without it. I have had the benefit of experiencing both a serious lack of it, which taught me compassion and cultivated my sensitivity to others, as well as being touched at my core and filled with it, which is what I experience when I work with my clients. You have to love what you do in order to really thrive at it and I love this work with every part of my little heart and soul, as silly and cliché as that sounds. So it’s going to be love – and good business sense – that will decide whether or not I sink or swim.

{Brigit} What is your one piece of advice to aspiring Tarot readers who want to take the leap and become professional?

{Sam} Always remember: “Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.” – Aristotle. Know your limits, know your style, hear your voice. I’ve found that that does right by you more than reading a pile of books will.

And… Baptism by fire is the best way to make a splash!

Want to ask Sam a question about her journey? Leave your question in the Comments section and she’ll get back to you! (NOT for request free readings!!)

About Sam Pelletier

Sam Sikora-Pelletier is a Tarot reader and intuitive medium who blends coaching techniques and intuitive insight to help her clients thrive. She is also the co-host of the BlogTalkRadio show, The Cosmic Switchboard, with Jessica Bowman. For more information about readings, visit www.thecosmicswitchboard.com, or connect with her on social media at Facebook.com/SammSikora and @SammSikora on Twitter.

Inspired? Start Your Own Journey to Becoming a Professional Tarot Reader

If you’re inspired by Sam’s story, I can help you create a sustainable and successful Tarot business. A business where you’re helping transform the lives of others and generating a serious income for yourself because your customers value what you do. Find out more about Tarot business coaching with me, including how you can receive a free 15 minute coaching session.

Or, if you want to build your confidence first and offer free Tarot readings in exchange for feedback, check out my Free Readings page and get in touch to add your profile.

Coming Next Week: Professional Marketer Turns Professional Tarot Reader

Next Friday, I’ll share with you another inspiring journey of how this professional marketer turned her skills into becoming a successful professional Tarot reader.

PSST... Do you want to create a personal and intuitive connection with each and every Tarot card and ultimately become a better Tarot reader? Later this month, I'll be opening the doors to my signature program, TF1: Master the Tarot Card Meanings, and you're invited!

>> Click here to find out more about TF1 LIVE and get on the wait list!