I need some recommendations/ maybe advice…
So I opened a shop and plan on making lots of amazing healing items but in order to fund my shop stuff I decided not to take away from my current unrelated business and start some tarot and runes readings. Everything feels fantastic and every time I read myself the same cards pop up no matter the shuffle. Funny because I know exactly what they are saying is true. I’m on the right path but I have a huge fear of my family finding out my belief systems and starting a fight over it. I rather be to myself. BUT I can’t make money in secret. Sooooo what do you guys recommend. I’m currently using Etsy but I do already know about their pricing and I also know in order to get traffic the suggestions are to do more social media and get people to my Etsy store. I’m currently running out of money to spend on this but I know my dream can be reality I just have to have a little better luck and a better following.
My luck been real eeeeeennnn lately. Anyways just some advice needed or recommendations on a better place maybe to sell my stuff.
First, congratulations on following your path and opening your shop! I would look into setting up your own website with your own domain name. This would not be free (and I don’t know if you pay Etsy any kind of monthly or yearly fee to use their site). Possibly look at Bluehost, WIX, SquareSpace as they are good options and not terribly expensive to get started. The advantage would be your own domain name and flexibility with design. The disadvantages might be driving traffic to your new site. Etsy is right about using social media, though. In today’s world, that is the way to go. You could also print up some business cards to pass around. Sometimes the old-fashioned way works. Don’t forget Pinterest, I believe it’s still quite popular. The few Etsy stores I’ve been too, I found through YouTube channels.
You could stick with Etsy for now if your items are already selling and use Discord or Zoom for your Tarot and Rune readings. Discord is free.
Your family is another issue, and I’m sorry you are unable to be yourself around them. However, if you live near them (or with them), you might need to have an uncomfortable discussion because you should not have to hide who you are. You don’t need to shout out “I’m a witch, deal with it.” But you might be able to drop a few hints that your beliefs may not line up with theirs right now. If you are dealing with Evangelicals, you might have to simply stay clear of them after that. I hope that will not be the case.
I hope this helps you a little. Best of luck to you with your business and your family.
I’m in the same sort of boat as you with getting traffic to my shop, but also with having time to actually make things for my shop. Social media is going to be your best friend. Learning how to use the tags, getting your images out there in front of people, etc. Not a lot of people read captions anymore, unfortunately, so sometimes making IG Reels or TikTok content will be a good idea. I’m terrible at both of those things, to be honest.
I have my own domain for my shop that’s tied to my website. It’s not cheap to host a website - I pay ~ $160 a year for the hosting and $15 a year for the domain name. Driving traffic to your site is a whole different subject, and sometimes it’s easier on Etsy. I do know people that refuse to shop on Etsy unless they know the artist or creator because Etsy has been flooded with things that aren’t supposed to be on there. People use Etsy for drop shipping now rather than handmade stuff.
I used to have a shop through them a long time ago, so I don’t know their fees anymore. It’s worth looking into, though!
There is a free course on Coursera that I’ve signed up to take on social media marketing. It’s called The Strategy of Content Marketing and it’s offered for free through Coursera by UC Davis.
As for your family, I mean, eventually you’ll have to say something. But @dawn is right. You don’t have to say outright that you’re a witch. If it’s going to be an issue for you, you’ll have to sit down and have some difficult discussions with them about what you do and what they may see. It’s better if it comes from you than some random person that can twist the story, ya know?
It’s mainly my brother and we are super close. He doesn’t live close anymore though. But he’s extremely religious. I did read my cards and they did mention multiple times about my fears. I’ve been a lot more open about it in the last year or so. Everyone super close to me knows other than my family that’s still alive. I’m also super uncomfortable with showing my face either way like on camera idk why but I’ve never liked it lol
Thank you for your suggestions and I totally will check those out.
As for the whole family part of it. They just are extremely religious and set in the ways we grew up. It’s sort of like a massive religious cult and it’s not a type of belief system that is “open” to others beliefs and ways of life lol
I think my biggest challenge here is maybe taking my husbands advice…. Worst case scenario they are mad but I am an adult I am living on my own in my own space and worse thing is they are gonna say more weird stuff in messages like the other day at spirit fest … my brother text me “ well don’t get any reading because god doesn’t like that” smh
This is exactly right I’m sure with time, you’ll get more comfortable in your individuality. I hope that makes sense sometimes it can be hard to distance ourselves from our family, especially when they’re like you’ve described.
Can I chip in lovely. I know nothing about the business side, but maybe the family side. My husbands family (mainly his mum/dad) are in a strict Christian religion (fundamental I’ll say, which we used to be members of). They’re lovely and supportive, but do view my craft as from Satan. My sister in law knows I’m a witch and likes it. What I do with my in-laws is I’ve gently and kindly made it clear that I and hubby, and kids are not returning, (they know why we left due to mistreatment by a few members), they can see my crystals and books in my house (not all of them, but the less frightening ones I suppose you could say). Nothing is ever said, but when they speak about their way is the only way, I remind them that the Divine creator is loving and wise, and the “creator”, (therefore he created nature and people and sees life better than we do), so we if we are true to Jesus words shouldn’t judge others or their choices and be loving. I always say WE so they don’t think I’m judging them. Honestly, my husband has had huge blow ups with them over this, and he doesn’t practice the craft but sees how it’s benefited me and his family. I’ve been alot gentler with them. I don’t know if this helps at all. I’ve settled in my heart that they’ll never understand or accept, but they do still love us, and we still do things as a family. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to say I’m a witch who worships Loki cuz they would probably faint , but they understand I’m on a different path and slowly they’re accepting it for me, even if they don’t like or understood it. Hope this helps. But you and I my lovely, to quote a phrase, are kinda caught “between the devil and the deep blue sea.” No easy answer. Follow your intuition. I did a recent rune reading, which @jan_TheGreenWitch helped me with, with an old dear friend who’s a strict Christian, it read Show don’t tell. Maybe over time when they see your joy, and how lovely you are, they may be more acceptable. I think if not, then we just have to be ourselves and let others be themselves. My in-laws know I’ll never leave this path, and never return to that way of Christianity. Love you. Big hugs.
I totally resonated with every part of what you said.
I agree I don’t know how they don’t already know lol I I also agree that since I’ve been allowing my true self to shine I have been extremely different. It calmed my soul and mind. In return it has made me a better wife and mother. I love it! So I think I will find a way to still continue my journey and if anything is said (which it will be said lol) but I’ll handle that as I go. I’ve learned how to make better boundaries in my life and this will be no different.
Thank all of u so much today the advice was definitely confirmation.
Everyone has shared some really great advice and helpful tips, so I just wanted to pop in and offer my congratulations. It sounds like you are doing your best to follow your dream with this new business and make it work, and I think that’s amazing. Good for you for following your heart!
This may not apply to your area or your family, but I just want to mention that, for many people, tarot has become more of a general activity than a religious practice. Even in Poland (a country that is extremely Christain and firmly in the hands of the church), tarot readings were quite popular- I’d see tarot shops in the city and places to have a reading done. My mother-in-law (a devout Christain) has several YouTube Channels she adores that do tarot readings, especially those with angel tarot cards.
Again, this may not be true in your area or with your family, but for many people these days tarot does not automatically equal being a witch or practicing magick. Sharing your ability to read the cards with your loved ones might go over easier than you think (although you know them best!)
Just wanted to share a hopeful thought- whatever you choose to do, I am wishing you all the best, Zee! Much love and many blessings
I’m sure with time, you’ll get more comfortable in your individuality. I hope that makes sense 
sometimes it can be hard to distance ourselves from our family, especially when they’re like you’ve described.
, but they understand I’m on a different path and slowly they’re accepting it for me, even if they don’t like or understood it. Hope this helps. But you and I my lovely, to quote a phrase, are kinda caught “between the devil and the deep blue sea.” No easy answer. Follow your intuition. I did a recent rune reading, which 
