We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Denise Zimmermann a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Denise, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. The first dollar you earn in a new endeavor is always special. We’d love to hear about how you got your first client that wasn’t a friend or family.

I realized I had the gift of insight in 1996 but it would be years before I embraced it. I did “soul readings” for my friends for years prior to taking a a leap to charge anyone. I had them submit a picture of the eyes of the person and no names, so that I would not be influenced by what I might already have known about that person. The people I did readings for always told me that I needed to charge and that they knew others who would want a reading. The questions were always, “Am I really getting this information? Am I making this stuff up in my head?” “How is this happening?” But some of the insight I received I would have never known. In 2009, I was friends with a couple who owned a crystal, metaphysical shop. They offered monthly psychic fairs. They had asked me multiple times before to participate but this time they told me they were short on psychics and really needed me to help out. I was so very nervous. Questions flooded my mind: How much would I charge? What about my fliers? What kind of payments could I take? And of course, “What would my table look like?” Presentation is huge in getting people to stop at your table. Having attended fairs myself, I knew that was essential to get people to stop and try what is being offered. So, with great trepidation, I gathered my table decor, my fliers, and my courage. As the fair started people would pass me and smile but since I was a new face they were cautious. When the first person stopped at my table my inner critic was loud and harsh but I continued. By the end of the reading she was crying because the information I gave her was affirming, which drew attention. When she asked if she could hug me others saw it was positive tears. Some of the clients I connected with at those first psychic fairs are still my clients today.

Denise, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I have a PhD in Philosophy and Religion, with a concentration in healing, body wisdom, mysteries, and sacred arts, a MA in Counseling, and am a certified Reiki Master. I have been doing soul readings and providing intuitive coaching for over 20 years.

My positionality is that of a metaphysical spiritualist who is firmly planted in my own sense of personal authority; I affirm, above all, the power of conscious choice. My worldview is situated in the belief that all life is sacred and is essentially rooted in light. I believe people function from either love or fear and this will dictate their personal interactions. I see others as spiritual beings trying to make it through their life’s journey. I acknowledge the essence of life in all living things. By nature, I live life existentially and seek personal truth. My theoretical standpoint is rooted in phenomenology for I believe a person’s perception is their reality. I am passionate about voice the maintaining, using, and respecting of personal voice, not just for oneself but for others as well.

I use the word Darsana, a Hindu concept coming from a Sanskrit word meaning sight, vision or glimpse, in reference to what I do. This modality can also be termed “Eye Gazing.” The process involves gazing into your eyes and seeing you, the true you. The information I typically receive from the eye reading is related to you for personal growth, insight, affirmations, and/or acknowledgements. It is what your spirit/soul needs or wants to tell you.

The process involves the person emailing me a photo of just the eyes and the first name and the amount of time – 30 or 60 minutes. I will conduct three “Darsana” sessions prior to the scheduled debrief. This process can take up to 5 days. On the day and time of the appointment, I will phone the client to debrief the soul messages.

Spiritual growth and recovery is not easy. The journey can be long and hard; but the evolution of your being is worth it. When you are ready, I am here to walk with you through this segment of your path.

Before any reading or coaching session I surround myself in Light and ask for guidance. I ask to be connected from my higher self to the client’s higher self. All of my sessions are done with best intent and love.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

The most effective strategy for growing clientele has been to work with others in this industry. Sometimes clients need something I do not or can not provide for them. But, by not trying to hold on to everyone that comes to me and referring them to the appropriate practitioner has not only been in the best interest of the client but has demonstrated to the client I am wanting the best for them and their growth. As a result they usually come back around because they know they can trust me. Developing a network with others has enabled me to grow my clientele because those in my network will refer to me as well. There is no ego in our network, there is the desire to help. So, my growth has been primarily organic.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Helping others see their truths has been the most rewarding aspect of this venture. A lot of times when I do a reading the person ends up crying, not from sadness but from having been truly seen, unconditionally. I was once told I needed to get stock in tissue because people cry so much. People want to be SEEN but they often do not see themselves, or they do not acknowledge it. When someone says something to us that makes us cry, and it is not ugly or mean, it is because they are saying something that resonates with our truth and we are feeling seen and reminded we exist.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.soul-readings.net