We were lucky to catch up with Jessica Lappe recently and have shared our conversation below.
Jessica, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
There is no one life-changing event that set me on this course. I believe I was born with this mission encoded in my DNA. I have memory of being a very small child, possibly of about five years of age, give or take, riding in the backseat of the family car. Looking out the window, I saw land development operations underway. I don’t recall where exactly this was at or what they were building, but I remember the heavy equipment, the earthwork, and the absent trees. I remember feeling so angry and sad. At such a young age, one would not expect comprehension of the activities taking place there or such a strong emotional response, but I knew. As long as I can remember, I have been absolutely obsessed with animals. I must have begged my parents every day to have a dog and a horse. I even remember feeling anger with them for not raising me on a farm! This mission runs through my veins, and when my actions align with this work, I feel whole.
The spirit world and animal world are definitely where my passion lies. They are those without a voice in this reality, and the way we interact with them is one of the greatest reflections of ourselves. A quote by Mahatma Gandhi says, “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” If humankind is to progress and evolve, this is a vital stepping stone.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Our world is a world of energy and information, light and sound, thoughts and feelings. There is so much more to it than what we see with our eyes. Even if one is not a believer in spirits and otherworldly entities, it is hard to deny the different feelings that wash over us when we walk barefoot along the lake versus when we walk into the dentist office. Those thoughts and feelings we have, that energy we experience, it all leaves its mark on the world around us that ripples throughout time; it is all information. My mission is to transmute that information. By taking energies based in fear, and healing them, transforming them into energy based in love, I can leave this plane of existence better than I found it and assist this world in its evolution.
The way I do this work can take many forms. As a psychic medium I am able to communicate with spirits. Often, I am contacted by the living to reach out to the spirits of loved ones that have passed away, or I may be approached directly by souls who have passed. I also work closely with Landvættir, or land spirits, that inhabit the earth, sky, and water of every location on the planet. They protect the environment and all the plants and animals that inhabit it. Many times, the spirits, whether formerly human or otherwise, are hurting. By bearing witness to their stories without judgment I can assist them with moving through those feelings and healing. Their healing, in turn, heals us.
This is one way I work differently than some in the field. When interacting with spirits, I offer my services to them just as I offer them to the humans who have contacted me for assistance. I never force spirits out of a location or make demands of them. I listen. I bear witness. Through my work, I have seen relationships healed between the living and the dead. I have also seen locations that seemed to harbor bad luck and paranormal activity that negatively affected people’s lives, become peaceful and prosperous homes.
Additionally, animals hold a special place in my heart. It is my mission to raise human awareness of and respect for the fauna of this planet. Dogs are of particular importance to me, and I advocate for caring for them in a way that respects the essence of what they are. By providing Reiki services for animals and coaching their human caregivers in the ways of biologically appropriate nutrition and kinder wellness care, I can help facilitate relationships of trust and respect between humans and animals.
I am also studying the old Norse/Germanic form of shamanism known as Seiðr. Through reading the runes, journeying through the various planes of reality to commune with Spirit, and facilitating ceremonies and rituals I hope to be of assistance to living humans as well, as they travel their spiritual paths.
Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?
When it came to funding my business, at the beginning, I had nothing. At the end of the day, even working a full-time job, there was no extra cash to funnel into marketing, attending business fairs, or purchasing supplies. I found ways to do things on the cheap or even for free.
My first step was to start developing my brand with a logo. I was not in a position to hire a graphic designer, so I utilized free logo design programs that were available online. I spent the time and created something that felt good, knowing that down the road my logo could evolve alongside my business. After that, I created a free email account so clients could contact me. I got a little hung up that I didn’t have my own email domain name, but I knew this could also come in due time. Next, I knew online presence was important, so I started with what I knew: social media. A free business page would allow me to promote my business, drive traffic to my future website, and was a convenient way for prospective clients to reach me. I started with a platform I was familiar with, knowing I could branch out to others in the future. While social media was a great way to connect, I found it was inadequate for describing the services I offered. I needed a website! There are multiple companies out there that offer free website services; I did my homework and picked the one I thought best suited my skills and needs. I was able to build a fully functioning website without spending a penny. I also focused on selling services rather than Goods I did not have the money to purchase the raw materials needed to make physical products to sell. My services, while they cost me time and effort, didn’t require me to front any cash. Additionally, I explored digital products and affiliate marketing as Avenues to generate income without spending any money.
As my financial situation slowly changed, I began having a few dollars to invest here and there. Business cards were very affordable first step that I would allow me to promote myself further. Purchasing my domain name and upgrading my subscription with my website hosting service was next. As I continue to grow, the next baby step in investing in myself and my business always presents itself at the right time. I’ve learned to start small and trust the ever-evolving process of running my own business. Not everything has to be perfect all at once. Have patience and be persistent!
What’s been the best source of new clients for you?
Word-of-mouth has been my best source of new clients. When someone has had a great experience with me, and they share with their friends and family, interests get piqued. Word-of-mouth in my line of work can also be tricky, though. It involves someone sharing that they sought out the services of a medium, which can raise a few eyebrows here and there!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.originalvibrations.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100084779376730&mibextid=vk8aRt
Image Credits
Jessica Lappe