How I Went from Fashion Stylist to Tarot Reader
Answering my most commonly asked question, timelines and all.
My mom did name me after Samantha Stevens from BeWitched—so this story, my story, may be prophecy after all.
September 2020
HOW IT STARTED
Sitting in my childhood bedroom of my parents house on another night-in during the pandemic, I found myself listening to one of my comfort YouTubers, Esoteric Skye, an Astrologer and Tarot Reader who delivered the real-deal-no-fluff-stuff. I was quite blessed, really, as even in the midst of our World in lockdown, I remained employed as a full-time fashion stylist and contributing fashion writer. I enjoyed my job, started my career over from scratch in my late twenties and worked hard for that job, but I knew I didn’t feel purpose when I stepped onto set. A creative outlet and expression? Yes. Purpose? Unclear.
I was already known as a mystic of sorts on my team. My work station always stocked with tinctures, oils, and more. I can’t recall when my psychic gifts started, really. To be honest, they had always been there. The quiet voice of my inner world. The voice that in middle school helped me save a friend’s life, the voice that told me who I was going to date before we ever exchanged hello’s, the voice that just the same told me who each ex was about to date next based seeing a single photo, the voice that told me my college boyfriend was messaging another girl without any signs or suspicions, the same voice that came to me while listening to the Taurus September Forecast video that night.
The ping came in crystal clear and direct. Dropped in as if a balloon with a secret note tied to its string floated into my mind, revealing the breakthrough proclamation from a Holy Messenger “Do this.”
I never instinctively acted on anything in the way that I did at that moment. I immediately took to my Instagram stories—unscripted, unrehearsed—and asked my audience if they’d be interested in intuitively pulled positive affirmations. The responses flooded in. An overwhelming yes.
At the time, all I had was a positive affirmation card deck and a mini Tarot deck. The mini Tarot deck being the sole prize I selected to exchange my tokens for at a Dave & Buster’s arcade back in college, the year 2012. A prime example of how long the calling whispers before it starts screaming in your ear.
I decided to use that positive affirmation deck as a Tarot Reader would: intuitively pulling cards and channeling insights. I took out that mini Tarot deck, flipping through the guidebook, getting my hands on the cards. I felt intimidated by the Tarot at first, the insecurities over my inability to memorize and retain bubbling to the surface. “Later… I’ll get to the Tarot later.”
I found people loved the affirmations, whether Tarot was involved or not. I was up for hours on Friday nights, giving single-card readings via Instagram DMs in a series of video clips, merging tools I learned in therapy with my love for the esoteric. No Zoom membership, no equipment, not even a tripod! Just me, the card, and my phone.
This is Purpose. The feeling I had been searching for in every look I styled. The essence I longed for after listening to my daily dose of Oprah’s Super Soul Podcast. Finally. My Purpose.
After several weeks of giving FREE readings for fun, I decided to create a price list. I knew I wanted to grow this. I knew it was never going to remain a pandemic hobby. But I also knew nothing about building a brand or business. I started small—I mean $15 a reading, small.
And then… I only had one person book a reading. I was discouraged, embarrassed. The fear of not being worth the value was illuminated.
Still, I was determined. I knew my story with card reading and my intuitive gifts wasn’t over, I just didn’t know how to move forward.
August-November 2021
YOU NEVER KNOW WHO'S WATCHING
Card reading wasn’t gone from my life, but it certainly was not prevalent. I still fumbled with how to bring it back around and wholeheartedly feel my worth along with it.
Almost EXACTLY ONE YEAR to the day from announcing card readings on my Instagram Stories, I received a DM from a friend of a friend (who is now a friend of mine own): “Hey, do you still do card readings? Do you want to do them at the Moxy Hotel?” Unbeknownst to me, this friend is the Marketing Director for NYC Moxy Hotels.
“YES”. Immediately. Of course.
The rate (at the time) was $350 for a 2-hour event. One year prior I couldn’t get more than a single person to Venmo me $15, and now I was getting paid $350 by one of New York’s most well-known hotel chains. I was overjoyed.
I left that first event flying high on bliss, and there was only more to come after that. The Moxy enjoyed it just as much, and I started consistently working with the hotel twice a month at their various locations throughout the city to provide Tarot readings as part of their wellness offerings.
Lightness. Momentum. Faith. The Universe kissing the wind at my back. A gentle push of “you’re ready now.”
In the matter of two months, my life drastically changed. The Powers that be literally removed all energies that weren’t aligned with me as I entered this chapter.
A few weeks after that first event my boyfriend broke up with me, I moved out of our shared apartment, moved back with my parents for one month, found a sublet and moved back to the city, also accepted an offer for a new role pursuing writing, quit my full-time job as a stylist, and.. through it all breathed.
FALL-WINTER 2021
GAINING MOMENTUM
Word grew. Upon being asked “What are you up to?” at every PR coffee date and press preview I attended for my writing work, I made it a point to mention how excited I was to be doing card readings. I continued doing bi-weekly readings at the Moxy, planting the seeds, and working on my Vision.
SPRING 2022
THE NEXT STEPS
Eventually, I felt confident in taking the next steps. My dear friend and eventual mentor, Helen, advised me to create a media kit. I put something together on Canva—a scrappy one-sheeter, but it did the job. I flashed it by two PR contacts I trusted with my vulnerable state. “Would this be what you’d expect to receive as a media kit?”, my main concern. They gave me great feedback, encouraging me to hit send.
And so I did. I sent out that media kit to the PR contacts who flooded my inbox with pitches, many of whom I had gotten to know personally and loved working with. Contacts bookmarked it and reached out when they were ready. Others referred me to their networks. The chain of communication was born.
To this day, that chain continues and evolves. Thankfully, my media kit evolved too—from a one-sheet to a deck with elevated tone, design, and credentials.
Spring 2022-Today
WHERE WE ARE NOW
Still a “Fool” on her journey (iykyk), I’m so excited about what’s to come and where this wild ride has brought me to. Starting with affirmation cards, then oracle cards, and eventually Tarot cards, my practice is now Tarot-dominant. In fact, it remains my most popular offering for both events and 1:1s.
I’ve done hundreds, possibly thousands, of readings across New York City, the Hamptons, Miami, and Los Angeles. I’ve given readings to high-profile, public figure clients. I’ve held sessions with clients from ALL over the world via my virtual 1:1 offerings. My first and only paying client back in 2020? They’re still a client to this day. Together, this global community has raised $888.88 for Planned Parenthood via donation readings—I have to say, that’s my proudest accomplishment to date.
I’ve created soul-level friendships with women who share like-minded visions and lifestyles. I’ve deepened my practice and my psychic gifts. I’ve gone on to train in Astrology, Human Design, Reiki Healing, Sound Healing, and Mat Pilates. I now teach at a well-loved studio in the city, along with my personal offerings, and open my inbox to new inquiries each week.
There is SO much more I am calling in. This season truly feels like the final pages of my first-era chapter before the next begins—the even bigger, bolder, and abundant next chapter in my story. My stomach jumps with pure excitement just at the thought of it, at the realization and belief of how true it is.
All because I followed the ping. The ping that ignited my purpose. And there’s only more to come.