Recessionista: Rev. Marjorie Rivera

Psychic, TAOS Co. (Transformation and Other Services Co)

We all have those “hunches” — about an ex-boyfriend, illness, or traumatic event. But turning those hunches into a profitable business is crazy — right? Maybe not. This Recessionista did just that, crafting several generations of healing and psychic work into a fulfilling career.

Medium, fortune teller, psychic…what’s the deal?

The profession is intricately tied historically to corner store fortune tellers that have become synonymous to charlatans. People can be afraid of what they don’t know or understand and many scammers can take advantage of that. In my opinion, there are many well-meaning, helpful and wise advisers out there who want to help, who can and do help. The secret may be revealing itself more everyday in that psychics are real. There is a realistic difference between psychic and omnipotent, real and supernatural.

Right, and you live your life straddling that line between real and supernatural…but at the end of the day, it’s still a business. How do you keep the business side of your practice grounded?

My secret weapon is probably the same as any savvy business woman: provide a quality service at an affordable price, make every client feel valued and provide extras. I like to show people that I value their time. I send reminders, and I am prompt and professional. I know that people don’t seek psychics out because they are curious; it’s because they need help. My weapon is that I truly set the intent to be of service. Intention is everything. No matter what business you are involved in, intention matters.

You come from several generations of healers and psychics, but can other women who don’t have that background still pursue their “sixth sense”?

Every woman has intuition or hunches. Working to develop those hunches in an on-demand sort of way is key. Practicing on friends and family and taking development classes is helpful. Having customer service skills is also a good place to start. If all of your friends ask you for advice, you are already getting started. Deciding to change your mind into making it a business is the first step on the path.

I started working online, built up a reputation, worked on the phone and then opened a full time practice working from an office in my city, Pittsburgh, where I am booked for months in advance — not at all unlike a professional in any field. That’s the thing I would offer as a helpful hint: this business is like any other. A good flexible life can be built on a hunch!