Joseph Gellene is an intuitive guide. He runs a private practice through which, he helps people discover themselves and live fuller lives. Gellene has a way of assisting people in understanding their worth, while at the same time getting rid of fears and anxieties that hold them back. Joseph’s client list reveals that pretty much anyone can benefit from his skills. He has helped teenagers transition smoothly into adulthood, housewives rediscover themselves, and even government officials and business people gain clarity of thought. His methods are easy to follow, and most people can relate to them. When dealing with individuals, he gives them a platform to bring out their strengths through stories. When training groups, he creates an environment where students can freely interact with each other, discover their talents, and uplift self-confidence. He also uses a combination of ancient techniques and divine wisdom to give his clients life-changing results. Joseph’s success has a lot to do with his natural psyche gift of sight. Through the perceptions of the present, he can see and help people liberate their minds and rekindle the child-spirit necessary for one to explore the possibilities of life. Many who have used his services have overcome stress and anxiety and lived fuller lives. Since his gift is natural, it also doubles up as his hobby. Even in his free time, Gellene engages those around him on how to discover themselves and make the most of their talents. It makes him happy knowing that his natural gift is making someone’s life better and that it could save them from anxiety and a possible slide into depression.
How did you get started in your industry?
I discovered that I had a psychic gift when I was a teenager. I didn’t give much thought to it at first. In fact, I even thought that I was a little weird, and that kind of ate into my self-esteem for a while. One day, I had a long chat with my mom, and she told me that I had nothing to feel weird about. She told me to be proud of the gift and use it to help others change their lives for the better. This changed me, and I started applying my gift to my close friends, and it worked on them. The excitement and mysticism of my gift saw them tell their friends about it, and in a short time, the number of people seeking my help was in the hundreds. That’s when the thought of charging a fee hit me, and here I am. The number of people seeking my services is growing every year, and I am grateful. Not many people get the opportunity to make a living off their natural abilities and passions.
How do you make money in your field?
I make money by charging a consultancy fee for my services. I used to have a standard rate in the past, but I realized that I was selling myself short. Now I charge a separate fee for individuals and groups. I also get lots of gifts from my clients. Though it may not count as an official source of income, the gifts are quite significant. I love such gifts even more than the fees because they are a validation of my services.
How long did it take for you to become profitable?
I make money off a natural gift, so naturally, I started making money from the first day that I started charging for my services. Of course, once I discovered that it is in-demand, I started spending some money on advertising. However, this did not significantly increase my costs to a level where I would have to work long to break-even.
When you were starting out, was there ever a time you doubted it would work? If so, how did you handle that?
Not really. The difference between what I do and what most people do is that mine is a naturally occurring gift. Therefore, I am always sure that whatever I am offering my clients is accurate, and no one else can replicate me. For context, if you start a real estate business today, it is normal to doubt the direction the markets can take. You simply don’t know, and if you get in at a time of market turbulence, doubts can spring up. In my line of trade, such issues don’t exist. I think the only people in my line of work that usually have doubts are the fake ones. When you know you are a phony psychic, you are bound to have anxieties about people smoking you out before you secure the bag.
Do you remember how you got your first client?
My first client was one of my friends. I remember we were out relaxing in the park, and I told him a few things about the future that lit a spark in his mind. It’s like he was in a state of indecision, and I gave him a hint of the direction to take for the best outcome. He was so happy about it that he went and told all his friends about it. This pretty much formed the basis of my business since my phone never stopped ringing from then on.
What is one marketing strategy (other than referrals) that you’re using that works really well to generate new business?
Apart from referrals, I generate new business through social media. However, I don’t pay for it. Instead, I tell stories, and people who have used my services help me push the message by sharing it with their friends. So far, this strategy has worked and has generated more than 50% of new business.
What is the toughest decision you’ve had to make in the last few months?
I am lucky that the last few months have been good for me. Unfortunately, COVID-19 destroyed so many lives, and many are struggling with anxieties and other issues. Many of them come to me for help in making sense of the current circumstances. From this perspective, I can say one of the toughest decisions I have made is to help some of these people free of charge. I have had people come to me seeking guidance, but they are so broke that they can’t afford my fees, but I help out anyways.
What do you think it is that makes you successful?
My success has a lot to do with my passion for what I do. Unlike most skills that people perfect for the money, mine is a natural gift. It’s something in me, and it comes naturally to me. Of course, there is the element of hard work too. I work hard at marketing to draw in more clients. I am always aware that having a gift is one thing, but making it count is another.
What has been your most satisfying moment in business?
My most satisfying moment was when I turned my gift and passion into a business. Not only did it become my primary business, it was a great source of happiness, knowing that I could use my passion to make money.
What does the future hold for your business? What are you most excited about?
The future is bright. People will always need help deciphering the unknown, its human nature. This combined with the fact that I am marketing my services aggressively, means that the future is bright.
What business books have inspired you?
I am most inspired by the book, start with why: how great leaders inspire everyone to take action by Simon Sinek. The book tells you to ask yourself why people need your services. In other words, put yourself in the shoes of your customers, and ask yourself why you would need the product you are selling. Once you answer that question, you will learn how to supply what the market wants. It is a book that helped me craft a strategy for monetizing my business, and quite successfully too.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
I would tell my younger self to find out something they are passionate about and turn it into a business. Passion is the key to building a successful and long-lasting enterprise.
Are you willing to be a mentor? If so, how should someone contact you?
I can’t really mentor someone to be me, but I can mentor them to build a business out of their talents. Anyone that wants me to mentor them can link up with me on LinkedIn.