Inspired by: Phoebe Soeteman, Founder Platinum Tarot
Interview by Rebecca Rusinovic
Phoebe, you have mentioned that you knew something magical was following you. What was the catalyst behind your exploration of this magic and what led you to tarot cards in particular?
I was raised in a pretty rigid religious home where anything resembling spirituality was strictly forbidden, so to think one day I’d end up reading tarot for a living still blows my mind!
My first exposure to anything ‘magical’ was when I started attending kinesiology sessions with the incredible Yasmin Darwish in Melbourne (go check her out). Occasionally at the end of a session Yasmin would have me pull an oracle card, which truthfully scared the shit out of me, and I figured would send me straight to hell. After we did this a few times and I still hadn’t spontaneously burst into flames, my mind really opened up to the possibility that maybe a lot of the things I had once believed to be so ‘dangerous’ weren’t actually so dangerous after all.
I’ve always found tarot cards very intriguing, mostly because I’d only ever seen them portrayed so mystically and mysteriously in movies. There used to be a tiny little metaphysical shop around the corner from me, and one day on a whim I went and bought myself a deck. It was pretty much game over for me from then on. It turned into a full-blown obsession in a matter of weeks and it really hasn’t slowed down since.
I know that turning your passion into your own business can both be exciting but it is also a big risk. How did you know that Platinum Tarot was the right business for you to build and how did you overcome hurdles that popped up along the way?
I knew Platinum Tarot was right for me because nothing has ever made me feel as alive as giving a reading does. To witness the transformation that occurs from when a client walks in stressed, anxious, hopeless or heartbroken (or all of the above) to when they walk out feeling inspired, hopeful, excited and believing that they are absolutely capable of creating the life of their dreams – no feeling has ever compared to that. I believe wholeheartedly that every woman out there deserves a life she is in love with and that she has the capability to create it. This work gives me the opportunity to show them that.
I spent a long time trying to tackle hurdles by seeking guidance elsewhere, through gurus and coaches and random people’s advice, always believing someone else had the answers I needed (spoiler: they didn’t). It was only when I purposely stepped back from that and started asking myself for advice first, that I came to realise my own voice is the one I trust the most, and she’s pretty much always right! I use my feelings as a guide – if something doesn’t feel right, it usually isn’t. I’ve learnt to trust that above all else and it hasn’t steered me wrong.
You create a unique experience for your clients, including rosè and Tim Tams, which is so important for any business. What are your top tips for other Yes Queens when it comes to creating an unforgettable experience?
I started by asking myself what I would love to experience if I was a Platinum Tarot client – what would my dream experience look like? I examined my favourite brands and services and explored what it was I loved about them so much, and looked at how I could bring that into the Platinum Tarot experience.
I knew that I really resonated with brands that had elements of luxury, indulgence and femininity. I gravitated towards services that had an air of exclusivity about them, but made me feel like a total VIP when I was there. So I set out to incorporate all of those things into my own business, in my own way.
My top tip to create an unforgettable experience for your customers is to look at how you can go above and beyond the norm for them. The best place to start is to consider what your dream experience would be if you were your very own client. Don’t get caught up comparing yourself to others in your industry, but do look at what you could do better – then do it!
Your business’ ambition is to empower women to take control of their destiny. What makes you feel empowered?
Having a plan. I feel most empowered when I can take action, and any of my clients will tell you that my readings are always centred around equipping them with the tools to actually go out there and create the destinies they want for themselves. 60 minutes spent with a tarot reader is all well and good, but if you don’t walk away with practical, actionable steps you can start implementing straight away, what was the point? I’m very action-oriented so as long as I’m actively working towards something, I feel empowered.
Yes Queen’s mission is to fight workplace bullying, with self-care and wellness a common theme. How important is self-care to you? How do you practice self-care day to day?
Self-care is SO important to me! I experienced serious burnout at a pretty young age and the lessons I took away from that experience are ones I will never forget.
My biggest priority is to always ensure I’m not overextending myself and committing to an overly packed calendar. I’m a massive introvert and my biggest form of self-care is alone time, so I try to ensure my schedule accommodates my need to unwind alone. Sometimes it just involves a night in front of the TV, other times I’ll spend it journaling and pulling cards for myself. That time alone is so important for me to check in with myself and keep track of how I’m feeling, which is ultimately how I best care for myself.
Do you have any advice for Yes Queens who are in search of their magic?
Don’t knock anything until you’ve tried it. There’s no one size fits all for spirituality and what works for some people may not work for you. I’ve explored so many elements of spirituality – and I still am! – and I pick and choose the ones I resonate most with. Keep your mind open and keep exploring until you find something you really connect with. It might be tarot, crystals, reiki, kinesiology, energy healing, a combination of them all or something else entirely. There is no wrong way to find your magic as long as it’s magical for YOU!
Do you have any advice for Yes Queens who are starting their own business/have their own business.
Don’t get too caught up looking for direction outside of yourself. There are so many amazing coaches and courses out there (and god knows there are plenty of free opinions, too!), but they won’t ultimately create your vision and implement it in the way only you can.
In the past I’ve found myself getting swept up looking to other successful stories for direction and I ended up incredibly confused and anxious as a result. It was only when I put the blinkers on and used my own feelings and vision as my compass that I really got in my own groove with the business, and the inspiration and ideas have not stopped pouring in since. Find what excites you and follow that vision. And if it doesn’t look like what anyone else is doing? Good! You just found your niche, baby.
What are your top 3 life lessons?
Yikes keeping it down to 3 is hard because I am FULL of lessons to share!
a) Nothing is impossible.
b) If you have a dream or desire, you have the ability to fulfil it. End of story.
c) Women. Will. Change. The. World.
You created Platinum Babes to connect women in their 20s and 30s who want authentic relationships. How did this social group come about? Were there any key motivators for you to create it?
I’ve been organising events since I was a little girl (seriously, no exaggeration) and it comes so naturally to me. I meet so many incredible women through Platinum Tarot and a common theme that pops up is that so many feel like they’re alone on their journeys.
I saw Platinum Babes as a way to connect women who want to live their best lives experiencing the city, dining out and dressing up, while still actively exploring their own spirituality and personal development. The best thing about the group is you know everyone is there for the exact same reason – to meet other women and form awesome new friendships – so no one has to worry about being unwanted or left out.
Every woman there is there because she wants to get to know you. Women are so powerful when we come together, and nothing makes me happier than watching those relationships form in front of my very eyes at an event I put together.
You speak about how tarot has the ability to cut right to the chase, it brings forward things you thought you had moved on from. What is the greatest lesson you have learnt from tarot?
Tarot has really helped me see just how powerful a woman can be when she believes anything is possible for her. It’s alarming to see how many women still don’t realise just how deserving they are of an incredible life AND how inherently powerful they are when they believe in themselves. As a result, it’s become so clear to me that my real purpose in life is to help women realise their own value, and break down the walls that keep them from believing that they are entitled to anything less than a life of their absolute dreams.
Workplace bullying can have detrimental effects on a person’s mental wellbeing and self worth. Do you have any advice for our Yes Queens who are either currently in a toxic workplace or have left and are trying to move on?
Don’t try to go it alone. Don’t keep quiet. I’ve experienced toxic workplaces and bullying on a pretty serious level in the past and the best thing I ever did was speak to someone. If my manager or HR couldn’t help me, I saw a psychologist. Those parties were equipped to help me deal with the situation on an emotional AND psychological level, and they were able to help me make a plan to change the situation or get out of it entirely.
Your mental health is the most valuable asset you have and a negative workplace experience can seriously diminish that. Prioritise your wellbeing and get help with it.
What is your most important piece of advice for our Yes Queens to turn their dreams into a reality?
You have to start by getting real about what you want. So many people are walking around denying their deepest dreams and desires because they believe it isn’t possible, or they’re not capable, or their dreams are somehow wrong or selfish. They’re not. You don’t have a single dream or desire that you are not capable of attaining.
Go home and write out your goals as if you were writing a wishlist to the universe – with no limits, as if even the wildest thing you write down is possible. Because it is! Writing it down makes it real and it forces you to confront all the reasons you believe you cannot or should not have those things. Only then can you start breaking through those limitations holding you back from ticking every single thing off that list!
I can see that your word for 2019 is love. How do you ensure that you are checking in with yourself and ensure you are still on track with your goals?
I make a point of writing out my goals every single day, sometimes more than once! Not only is it an awesome opportunity to send my wishlist to the universe, but it is a constant reminder of what I’m working towards. When you’re writing your goals down every day it becomes easy to identify what you’re ticking off and what you’re dragging your feet on – then you know where you need to put the work in.
What is next for Platinum Tarot?
How much time do you have?! I definitely see myself continuing to read tarot for clients in the future, but I’m also exploring ways I can bring my message to a larger audience and expand my reach beyond just one-on-one offerings.
In the next 12 months I’ll be launching a coaching program to provide the opportunity for a small selection of women who want to work together more consistently and really experience a total life transformation, and tarot will definitely be a key element in that. I’d love to create my own tarot deck eventually and considering I’ve always loved writing, there’s bound to be a book eventually! Watch this space.