Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Rachel Lang. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Rachel, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear the backstory of how you established your own practice.
“You can make a living doing that?” People used to ask this question when I first started my business as an astrological consultant in 2006. This was before astrology was as popular as it is today. Some well-intentioned family members expressed concerns that I had gone to “the dark side.” It took courage to leave a stable day job and embark on a career far from the mainstream.
Today, I’m grateful to have blazed that trail. If you’re reading this, maybe it’s your sign—you can be the shaper and creator of your destiny, too!
My career as an astrologer happened by accident. I had been working in marketing at an agency, but I had very little time for my creative projects. I was on a quest to earn a living doing work that allowed me to make my own schedule and have more flexibility. I loved astrology, and I had spent years studying it to that point. The suggestion to start a practice came from one of my mentors. When I calculated how many clients I needed to earn enough income, I began seeing clients in the evenings and on weekends to build to that level.
I started by giving three free readings, and my practice began to grow. That was in 2006, and I’ve never looked back. It exemplifies how our path unfolds like magic when aligned with our purpose.
I faced several challenges in those first few years—ones I’m sure many entrepreneurs experience while building a brand. I had a marketing background and felt comfortable networking to meet clients. I’ve always been a people person, so that came easily. I struggled to manage the admin tasks and promotion while working full-time. It was a balancing act, for sure! I also had the added complication of dispelling myths about astrology and psychic mediumship.
Some of my closest friends and family members questioned my career choice. Many don’t understand the value of astrology and its usefulness for every aspect of life, including career, love, and travel. I felt discouraged and thought about giving up many times in those first few years.
I was careful to structure my practice as a business. I crafted a business plan as if I were pitching it to an investor. Because I had a background in marketing, I had some ideas of how to promote my business, but word of mouth was the most effective marketing tool.
In those slow periods, I wrestled with doubt. Should I pursue a different career? No matter how often I wanted to throw in the towel, I was compelled to keep going. We can’t get to courage without facing our fears, and in moving through doubt, I developed faith in myself.
I’d tell any young professional considering starting their own business to stay the course. Tenacity is a major contributing factor to success.
Working a part-time job or generating another income source while starting isn’t giving up, even if you’re working in a position that doesn’t feel like your purpose. The path isn’t always straightforward when you’re blazing your own trail. We have twists and turns, and that’s part of the adventure of it. Every choice has value. Some of the choices I regretted turned out to be blessings in disguise.
Also, you can rely on tools like astrology to help map out a plan. Astrology has been around for thousands of years. We go through planetary cycles favorable for new beginnings and change; others indicate a time of letting go. Astrology helped me with every step of my process, including when to sign a lease on an office space or when to make a major move to California.
Another piece of advice is to remember you’re never alone. In the early years of my business, I established lifelong friendships with people who are still my collaborators and mentors today. Building community and a network of support is crucial to your success.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My work focuses on helping individuals achieve professional milestones, reach their goals, and access their spiritual power to live a more purposeful, fulfilling life. I work as an astrological consultant for individuals and businesses. My background is in marketing, and I enjoy working with entrepreneurs and companies to help align brand strategy and business development with astrology. I am very practical in my approach to my work, and I like to map out future trends for clients so they can work within a timeline.
Witnessing the transformation when someone awakens to their spiritual gifts feels rewarding. I’ve seen my clients, students, and members of my Spiritual Development Circle achieve success beyond their wildest imagination by learning spiritual principles, intuition, and astrology. It’s the reason I wrote my book, “Modern Day Magic: 8 Simple Rules to Realize Your Power to Shape Your Life,” because I have seen this stuff work. I’ve witnessed mind-blowing life changes and breakthroughs as clients or students moved from feeling stuck to being powerful.
In addition to my client practice, I host a Spiritual Development Circle. In this monthly membership, we meet to discuss the month’s astrology and hold workshops on topics like relationships, intuition, and more. I teach courses, write horoscope columns for the Omega Institute and Club Magic Hour, facilitate team-building events for companies, and lead workshops and retreats.
In addition to my work as a consultant, I am dedicated to social engagement and public service. In 2022, I was elected to serve on our town’s City Council. I’ve had a lifelong commitment to giving back. My grandfather was the first mayor of a small town in Missouri where I grew up. I admired his dedication to the community and aspired to be like him. That November 8 election happened on the same day as a lunar eclipse. I felt it was meant to be, and I am so grateful to have the opportunity to give back to the community I love through my role as a council member. I also serve on several nonprofit boards and volunteer for different charities.
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
Building a clientele is all about relationships. Most of my clients and students find me through referrals or word-of-mouth. When someone has a great experience, they usually want to share. I built an entire practice from three free sessions, which is a testament to the value of the client/customer experience. In each of my classes or sessions, I focus on presence and being attentive to others. I also intentionally create a judgment-free zone and safe space where confidentiality is a top priority. I like lifting people up and helping them reclaim untapped potential, and I think it shows.
Building relationships is a long game. Someone might follow your Instagram for a year before they engage with you. Likewise, someone might refer you to a friend several times before that person reaches out to schedule an appointment. Authenticity is highly attractive, and the more you are who you are, the more you’ll draw the people who most need your offerings.
Anyone looking to build an audience or grow their clientele has to market in a way that matches their skills, interests, and preferences. Some of the students I mentor don’t enjoy social media. We look at alternatives, like writing a blog or hosting a podcast. If we don’t enjoy something, it shows in our energy. So, focus on doing what you love and enjoy, and remember, there’s no one formula for success.
My writing is also a draw; people find me through my books, articles, and horoscopes. I have an air-sign Moon, and the Moon relates to our buyers or audience. Learning astrology can help you target the people whom you’re most apt to reach. I teach a course, Astrology for Creatives, with Bonnie Gillespie about this very subject!
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
I’m a big fan of the Mel Robbins and the MindValley podcasts. I’ve learned a lot about entrepreneurial thinking from listening to them. I like to listen to How I Built This for inspiration.
I read a lot of self-help books over the years, and I’ve woven some of those concepts into the way I run my business.
Some include:
The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks
Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter
Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself by Dr. Joe Dispenza
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones” by James Clear
The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss
The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
Dare to Lead by Brené Brown
A Politics of Love by Marianne Williamson
The Myth of Normal by Gabor Maté MD
Nature, Culture & the Sacred by Nina Simons
The Course in Miracles has influenced my overall philosophy, along with my education in theology.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://rachellangastrologer.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachellangastrologer/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rachelclang
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-lang11/