We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Michelle Rademacher. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Michelle below.

Alright, Michelle thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

I decided to open my first brick and mortar store during a pandemic. While that felt like a huge risk and most everyone thought I was crazy it felt like more of a risk for me NOT to – with the pandemic shutting down all my prior sources of income and ways of showing up in the world. I had no backers, no family help, no income except for the small self employed unemployment insurance I was receiving so I lived as simply as I could and saved almost all of it and used the stimulus money to open my shop- which was no where near what is “recommended” to open a store but my faith in what I was doing was so strong that I knew I was right where I was supposed to be doing exactly what I was called to do- and here we are almost 3 years later.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’ve loved rocks my whole life, much like animals they have always been apart of my world and one of my big joys of being embodied on planet Earth.

I played store – mostly with rocks from the yard or my own and things from the house on our stairs when I was a wee one and started making jewelry when I was a teen for my enjoyment, as well as a part time job at my friends jewelry making biz she started in high school and ran out of her basement,

I come from a family of entrepreneurs (not always successful) and watching them all run their own show was and still is inspiring even amongst their failures and heartbreaks. I had always hoped one day that would be me too – all while being the most neurodivergent (of most of them), which has its own unique challenges.

I feel like my whole life was a training for this time – each job I’ve done provided a new skill that would serve me-maid, customer service, marketing, purchasing, manager, spokesperson, women’s behavioral coach, data entry, cosmetologist etc – each one offering my a different view of the whole that would be invaluable training and serve me as I evolved to become an entrepreneur.

After my Dad passed away suddenly in 2004, my whole life changed as at the time I had been working for my families business along with another family run company and everything simply shut the day he died – my mom went on to close the biz and move west to get a fresh start.

All of this happened at the tale end of a messy divorce and my grief at the time was overwhelming so I turned to my mentors and friends for help and had a deeply profound experience with a “healing touch” session with a co-worker and friend (which is similar to Reiki in how it works) and it left me with a deep peace and inner knowing that I so needed at the time – and a calling that I could no longer ignore.

From that moment on I dove deep into books, certifications, classes and anything that I could get my hands on to help me continue to heal the pain and sense of loss I was experiencing and turn it into something better – something to also help others heal from losses, from grief- to help ease suffering.

Since I was a child Ive felt things deeply, I could see things I felt others maybe didn’t always see- people told me their secrets, they sought me out to be their council and it wasn’t until I was older that I saw this pattern and realized it was something inherent in me that was called to be of service while I am here.

This role of being a helper, a guide – working as a healing facilitator and joy bringer brings me deep gratitude and fulfills me in ways that continue to show me so much that i’m thankful for.

My shop is a safe and healing space, the products all carefully curated to bring joy, usefulness, knowledge, connection and raise one’s consciousness and better one’s life – the services and classes we offer are to help guide others to their best lives, to help find connection and community all while working through the everyday events that come with being human – grief, pain, loss, sadness AND joy, beauty, wonder and love.

As a guide, and embodied fellow human riding along in this meat suit, until my ride comes to an end – I continue to take continuing education classes and certifications as I feel called and be in service to those that feel called to work with me – whether it be adding more beautiful crystals and art to your collection, supporting other local artists and makers, seeking sound and movement therapies, Reiki and crystal healing or intuitive life coaching or death doula services – I am grateful to be here with you now.

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

Being authentic – being real, truly feeling it, helps people connect. Realizing that our shop is more than us – it’s for our community, it’s a part of all of us.

Creating a space where people feel comfortable and can open themselves up to receive care and love – to feel connected to the place we call home – to something beyond themselves and to offer opportunities where there will always be learning, growth and evolution.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

My whole life people have asked me – “Michelle, what’s with the rocks”? They said that I couldn’t make a living doing what I loved – that everyone wants to do what they love but that’s not how it works. They’ve told me you need a business degree, a plan or loads of cash- if I didn’t have it- they named it. Life came along and shared with me deep loss – loss of my Dad, my home, all my things- even mobility – I recently had to have my first total hip replacement due to bi-lateral developmental hip dysplasia (since I was a child) but I kept going – and I recommend you do to! You can do the thing – if it’s your calling, if it’s for you – nothing will stop you. I believe in me, and I believe in you.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.thecrystalguide.com
• Instagram: The_crystal_guide
• Facebook: The Crystal Guide
• Linkedin: Michelle Stacy Rademacher
• Youtube: The Crystal Guide

Image Credits
Dijana Scewczyk