I am inspired by entrepreneurs who run successful businesses that are aligned with their soul’s purpose. Brigit Esselmont is one such example. She left her corporate gig to be a tarot resource for people around the world. Just a few years after taking the leap, she now runs a multi-six figure business, employs a staff of 10, and serves over 3 million people.
If you’re a heart-centered entrepreneur or considering leaving the 9-to-5 to do what you love (even if everyone would think you were crazy), Brigit shows that it can be done.
How did you take the leap from your 9-to-5 to becoming a successful Tarotpreneur?
When I was studying at University and learning business, marketing and human resource management, I was also learning the Tarot cards. I started my website (www.biddytarot.com) in 1999 but always considered Tarot as just a fun hobby while I worked my way up the corporate ladder.
All that changed in 2009 when I read "The Four Hour Work Week" by Tim Ferriss. I saw a completely new possibility - this passion I had for Tarot could actually be turned in to a thriving online business.
So I gave it my best shot and started creating eBooks, sharing my Tarot card meanings and offering Tarot readings online. By 2012, my income from Biddy Tarot started to over-take my income from my high-paying corporate job. So I knew it was time to make the leap.
It didn't happen straight away, though. It took 3 more months of higher income and a few other Divine signs for me to finally be convinced it was time to quit my corporate job and become a full-time Tarot professional.
I handed in my resignation and everyone thought I was crazy. But I wasn't the one who was crazy... now, 4 years later and I have a high six-figure business that employs over 10 team members worldwide and serves over 3 million people who want to learn to read Tarot.
What are your key offerings?
At Biddy Tarot, we offer Tarot guides, Tarot courses to master the Tarot card meanings and read Tarot with confidence, the Biddy Tarot Community (an online learning community for people who love Tarot), the Biddy Tarot Certification Program, and soul-powered business coaching.
What are they key strategies you employed to earn several hundreds of thousands of dollars per year?
I'm passionate about Tarot and business. So, I've always treated my business like a business and have made some very strategic decisions along the way. For example, I hired my first team member 3 years ago so that I could grow the business beyond just myself. I transitioned our offerings from service-based offers to product-based offers so that I could create the lifestyle I want for myself and my family. And I've treated the business like a fun experiment, willing to give things a go and learn from what works and what doesn't.
Plus, I've always been mindful about how to serve the Tarot community in the best possible way - to honour and respect the knowledge, and create a revolution in how we view and use Tarot in today's society. Biddy Tarot is modernising the face of Tarot and making it more accessible to people around the world, whilst honouring the deep spiritual traditions of the Tarot.
What is one of the biggest misconceptions around Tarot?
One of the biggest misconceptions about Tarot is that it's evil. I'm deeply saddened by this belief because it is so far from the truth and it denies so many people from exploring this deeply spiritual tool.
In my view, you couldn't get closer to the Divine than with the Tarot cards. The process of reading the Tarot cards brings you in deep connection with your intuition and your Divine wisdom. And the symbolism of the 78 Tarot cards has its roots in so many different spiritual traditions.
By reading the Tarot cards intuitively, you learn to completely trust yourself and the Divine. There's nothing evil about that!
How can entrepreneurs and businesspeople benefit from Tarot?
As an entrepreneur, I use the Tarot cards to shape my business strategy and create a rewarding experience for myself, my team and my customers.
It's all about bringing your business into alignment with your soul purpose and your Highest Good, and the Tarot cards help you do just that.
For example, each month, I reflect on the lessons of the past month and what I need to pay attention to in the coming month. I'll use my Tarot cards, my intuition and my business know-how - all coming together in perfect harmony and balance.
And when I'm goal setting, I'll have my Tarot cards out to help me find the goals that are most in alignment with my Highest Good. Often they're a lot more ambitious than what I would have created for myself!
What advice would you give to someone who wants to follow a path similar to yours?
It's easy and it's hard at the same time.
The hard work comes in learning how to create a thriving business. I'm constantly listening to podcasts, reading business books, masterminding with other entrepreneurs and testing new strategies. I love it, but it takes dedication and commitment to being the best you can be in your business.
The easy work comes when you're in alignment with your soul purpose and you're doing the work you're meant to do in this lifetime. I go where the flow is. If it feels good, I keep doing it. If it doesn't feel good, I find out why, learn from it, then change up the strategy. When you're in flow, there is no 'effort'.
Describe your favorite moment or accomplishment in your Tarot career so far.
Just one?! Seriously, I have loved every moment.
But if I had to choose just one, the most recent would be opening up the Biddy Tarot Community. We opened in May 2016 and have since welcomed almost 1,000 members in the last 4 months. The Community is an online learning community where members can become more intuitive and confident Tarot readers, practice reading Tarot for others and connect with their Tarot 'tribe'. It is an incredibly warm and supportive group. I love seeing our members go on to become professional Tarot readers and create real transformation for others, using their Tarot cards.
What’s the most exciting thing going on for your business right now?
We're just about to launch the Biddy Tarot Certification Program in October.
This program is set to revolutionise the Tarot world, with internationally-accredited training and certification for Tarot readers.
It’s time for a higher standard for the world of Tarot.And it’s time for people who read Tarot cards to blow the doors off the old party trick… and show the world what’s possible when you listen for new answers to life’s questions. This is the New Tarot Revolution. It’s way more than a party trick. It’s about stepping into your role as a trusted Tarot advisor to the people you read for.
How do you balanced business and life? Do you have any rituals or practices that help you stay centered?
I'm still learning!
I find that business and life are both very integrated, and for the most part, I enjoy it that way. Yes the lines are a little blurry sometimes, but it means that I can enjoy both, without feeling like I have to deny one or the other.
For example, right now, it's a Sunday morning and we're on a 3-week family vacation. Hubby has taken the kids to the movies because it's raining, and I'm sitting outside (under cover!) with my laptop.
We have about 15 weeks of holidays a year this way... a mix of work and family.
Anything else you’d like to share?
If you'd like to discover Tarot and experience first hand how you can create positive change and transformation with the cards as your guide, make sure you download my free Workbook, 5 Simple Steps to Read Tarot with Confidence. With these fun activities, you'll be using the Tarot cards in no time and connecting with your intuition.
About Brigit Esselmont
Brigit is the Founder of Biddy Tarot (www.biddytarot.com). She’s a passionate Tarot reader & teacher who inspires everyday people to transform their life and others' with Tarot. She supports aspiring Tarot readers build a personal and intuitive connection with the Tarot cards and read the Tarot with confidence.
And as an intuitive business coach, Brigit inspires heart-centred business owners to grow their own online empires through authentic business practices aligned with their soul purpose.
This post also appeared on: www.mollybeane.com/blog.