Big thank you to everyone who sent me a thoughtful, private message/ email about this post-- I knew it was a trend, but the overwhelming number of stories shared with me in the last 24 hours indicate that this trend is a veritable tsunami of these underhanded, unethical and aggravating tactics. My "case" is still open with Etsy, but regardless of that outcome I've decided to pivot to direct e-commerce on my own website. Yes: it will be exponentially more work and make my taxes harder and more complicated, but it will be on a system/ server that I control where nefarious actors cannot exploit system-wide weaknesses to their benefit. So, exhausting? Yes. Unnecessary in a more perfect world? Yes. But also a great reason to further diversify how I sell my decks and products to protect my brand and my business. Every pitfall is a lesson learned, and can become a best practice. I'm looking forward to more "normal" days ahead;)
Always be Indy! I'm so glad you aren't leaving and that you are continuing the fight. For the record, I too am incredibly happy for our friendship and you have had a huge, positive impact on my life and my desire to continue growing, learning and showing up for my business.
Britt-- right back at you! And you're one of those people I want to write reviews for, so keep me posted on Yelp, Google, etc. Indiana Jones was a selfish, impulsive man that broke women's hearts. But he also saved the world from Nazis and prevented them from obtaining the Arc of the Covenant. So, imperfect but also kind of perfect role model;) Also: punch Nazis every chance you get!
Thank you, Angela! And while I realize this lady wasn't a true blue, dyed-in-the-wool Nazi, she certainly engaged in Sophistry: the most evil of all inversions of the Socratic method. And that should be punishable by exile, if you ask me;)
I'm thrilled to read your update - not many get that resolution on Etsy! I've had variations of this experience across multiple industries and like you, I didn't back down. That doesn’t mean it's easy, though. Sending strength and support your way!
Rachel!! That Teddy Roosevelt quote has stayed with me through the celebrations and the absolute murky muck, and ooooh boy it's powerful to say, yell, or scream/cry out loud as the situation calls for.
Making anything - being anything of substance is absolutely and incredibly vulnerable, if not terrifying, and I can't say enough about how much it means to me to be there for fellow "doers." It's a tricky thing to describe, and I'm not doing a grand job of it at the moment, but I've exhausted a lot of energy, time and effort encouraging some who are "outside the arena" criticizing, and I'm just done with that. Instead, I'm here to inspire and support those who are inside and doing/making/creating/trying/transforming....all with mud on my face and tears in my own eyes.
I didn't really understand why I felt so drawn to reach out last year to work with you, but I'm sure glad I did. And that's an understatement. I see it now and have for some time. I'd like to share a much longer explanation and "connecting the dots" note with you soon, but in the meantime, Godspeed, Friend, I'll hold the line with you.
OMG, Laura-- I'm trying to embody the whole "Fear is the mind killer" thing from Dune-- it's not super successful (just yet), but I'm hoping the power of positive thinking starts to take root again. The way a lot of business owners are wired, open items/ limbo of any kind acts as a sort of kryptonite-- trying to get better in the messy middle/ in between of this situation. I guess I gotta have a little more faith;)
Laura, Rachel, I agree that quote, I read it twice and how it resonated with the Indiana Jones, just WOW, I don't know how you do it bringing in such wisdom even when you are in the throws of battle, you do rock!! Through you I met not just Laura, but so many other amazing folks. So sharing my gratitude and as Laura says, "holding the line".
Dear Rachel!! Just catching up on this .. Wow man, you are the best and as I was reading (and looking at the video links) I just felt the ride with you and know you are loved and supported by so many!!! You have us and hold us and teach us .. and you know we also, always have your back!! I think you bring more joy and reality to this world than any shamanic or woo business that I know. I actually was singing your praises just today to some friends, when I shared a very negative (not as intense as yours, but crazy just the same) and said that I appreciated YOU and how supportive you are, generous and always being a truth teller with great heart. I am so GRATEFUL to you and know if you ever need someone to speak in your corner or just listen, I'm here .. along with your many many fans and supporters!! We are are force and you my friend inspire us more than you know!! With love and faith,
Thank you, Karen-- being a truth teller and caring about the truth (perhaps a little more than keeping things copacetic) isn't always in harmony with being a business owner in this climate;)
I am so sorry, Rachel!! It’s absolute and total bullsh*t that someone had the power to create such chaos in your life while hiding behind a keyboard. I’m happy you fought back (let’s be honest- I’d expect nothing less of you!!) and won your case. I know you are an ethical and conscientious businesswoman and human and appreciate your transparency with what happened. It’s wild out here in Woo land- but, you’re leading by example and we can all learn from you.
The irony? She somehow lost her Etsy shop and isn't selling on there anymore. And I didn't report her or her shop...so it gets curioser and curioser. I mean: what was really going on there? The anonymous nature of online interactions can be a true mystery at times!
Thank you so much for writing this. I closed my woo store in Seattle this past fall for exactly the reasons you and others describe - I would rather do private readings and sell at little markets than get assaulted with this stuff everyday. People are wilding out and I definitely feel crazy. But now I don’t feel alone.
I also think that people feel free to let their "freak flag fly" when it comes to Woo practitioners/ businesses in a way they wouldn't with Goldman Sachs or Lockheed Martin. There's a certain unspoken acceptance of abusing energy workers, astrologers and psychics b/c we're not "serious people" or perhaps an expectation that we don't have resources to respond in kind, which makes us vulnerable. I'm dedicating myself to changing this paradigm. And yes, it's driven me to the drink a bit this week;)
100% this, and being femme dominated, the way our circle is, adds to it. I 'm so glad I stumbled upon your work, it has made my day a little brighter. I think we've all been driven to drink this week;)
Than YOU for reading it and for commenting. We're inculcated to internalize all of this as a personal shortcoming or private shame-- some indication of our lack as individuals. But it's not that anymore-- the world has changed in severe ways in the last few years. I'm so sorry about your shop in Seattle-- please don't hesitate to reach out to me via email or message if you want to connect. I'm here to listen.
Big thank you to everyone who sent me a thoughtful, private message/ email about this post-- I knew it was a trend, but the overwhelming number of stories shared with me in the last 24 hours indicate that this trend is a veritable tsunami of these underhanded, unethical and aggravating tactics. My "case" is still open with Etsy, but regardless of that outcome I've decided to pivot to direct e-commerce on my own website. Yes: it will be exponentially more work and make my taxes harder and more complicated, but it will be on a system/ server that I control where nefarious actors cannot exploit system-wide weaknesses to their benefit. So, exhausting? Yes. Unnecessary in a more perfect world? Yes. But also a great reason to further diversify how I sell my decks and products to protect my brand and my business. Every pitfall is a lesson learned, and can become a best practice. I'm looking forward to more "normal" days ahead;)
Always be Indy! I'm so glad you aren't leaving and that you are continuing the fight. For the record, I too am incredibly happy for our friendship and you have had a huge, positive impact on my life and my desire to continue growing, learning and showing up for my business.
Britt-- right back at you! And you're one of those people I want to write reviews for, so keep me posted on Yelp, Google, etc. Indiana Jones was a selfish, impulsive man that broke women's hearts. But he also saved the world from Nazis and prevented them from obtaining the Arc of the Covenant. So, imperfect but also kind of perfect role model;) Also: punch Nazis every chance you get!
You’re punching those nazis in the face, Rachel, and fucking love it.
Thank you, Angela! And while I realize this lady wasn't a true blue, dyed-in-the-wool Nazi, she certainly engaged in Sophistry: the most evil of all inversions of the Socratic method. And that should be punishable by exile, if you ask me;)
I'm thrilled to read your update - not many get that resolution on Etsy! I've had variations of this experience across multiple industries and like you, I didn't back down. That doesn’t mean it's easy, though. Sending strength and support your way!
Thank you so much for your support-- and sorry you've lived through some "variations on a theme"!
Rachel!! That Teddy Roosevelt quote has stayed with me through the celebrations and the absolute murky muck, and ooooh boy it's powerful to say, yell, or scream/cry out loud as the situation calls for.
Making anything - being anything of substance is absolutely and incredibly vulnerable, if not terrifying, and I can't say enough about how much it means to me to be there for fellow "doers." It's a tricky thing to describe, and I'm not doing a grand job of it at the moment, but I've exhausted a lot of energy, time and effort encouraging some who are "outside the arena" criticizing, and I'm just done with that. Instead, I'm here to inspire and support those who are inside and doing/making/creating/trying/transforming....all with mud on my face and tears in my own eyes.
I didn't really understand why I felt so drawn to reach out last year to work with you, but I'm sure glad I did. And that's an understatement. I see it now and have for some time. I'd like to share a much longer explanation and "connecting the dots" note with you soon, but in the meantime, Godspeed, Friend, I'll hold the line with you.
OMG, Laura-- I'm trying to embody the whole "Fear is the mind killer" thing from Dune-- it's not super successful (just yet), but I'm hoping the power of positive thinking starts to take root again. The way a lot of business owners are wired, open items/ limbo of any kind acts as a sort of kryptonite-- trying to get better in the messy middle/ in between of this situation. I guess I gotta have a little more faith;)
Laura, Rachel, I agree that quote, I read it twice and how it resonated with the Indiana Jones, just WOW, I don't know how you do it bringing in such wisdom even when you are in the throws of battle, you do rock!! Through you I met not just Laura, but so many other amazing folks. So sharing my gratitude and as Laura says, "holding the line".
Dear Rachel!! Just catching up on this .. Wow man, you are the best and as I was reading (and looking at the video links) I just felt the ride with you and know you are loved and supported by so many!!! You have us and hold us and teach us .. and you know we also, always have your back!! I think you bring more joy and reality to this world than any shamanic or woo business that I know. I actually was singing your praises just today to some friends, when I shared a very negative (not as intense as yours, but crazy just the same) and said that I appreciated YOU and how supportive you are, generous and always being a truth teller with great heart. I am so GRATEFUL to you and know if you ever need someone to speak in your corner or just listen, I'm here .. along with your many many fans and supporters!! We are are force and you my friend inspire us more than you know!! With love and faith,
Thank you, Karen-- being a truth teller and caring about the truth (perhaps a little more than keeping things copacetic) isn't always in harmony with being a business owner in this climate;)
True and it's the truth tellers we need right now, especially those with integrity!! appreciate you and all the authentic, warrior truth tellers.
I am so sorry, Rachel!! It’s absolute and total bullsh*t that someone had the power to create such chaos in your life while hiding behind a keyboard. I’m happy you fought back (let’s be honest- I’d expect nothing less of you!!) and won your case. I know you are an ethical and conscientious businesswoman and human and appreciate your transparency with what happened. It’s wild out here in Woo land- but, you’re leading by example and we can all learn from you.
The irony? She somehow lost her Etsy shop and isn't selling on there anymore. And I didn't report her or her shop...so it gets curioser and curioser. I mean: what was really going on there? The anonymous nature of online interactions can be a true mystery at times!
Thank you so much for writing this. I closed my woo store in Seattle this past fall for exactly the reasons you and others describe - I would rather do private readings and sell at little markets than get assaulted with this stuff everyday. People are wilding out and I definitely feel crazy. But now I don’t feel alone.
I also think that people feel free to let their "freak flag fly" when it comes to Woo practitioners/ businesses in a way they wouldn't with Goldman Sachs or Lockheed Martin. There's a certain unspoken acceptance of abusing energy workers, astrologers and psychics b/c we're not "serious people" or perhaps an expectation that we don't have resources to respond in kind, which makes us vulnerable. I'm dedicating myself to changing this paradigm. And yes, it's driven me to the drink a bit this week;)
100% this, and being femme dominated, the way our circle is, adds to it. I 'm so glad I stumbled upon your work, it has made my day a little brighter. I think we've all been driven to drink this week;)
Than YOU for reading it and for commenting. We're inculcated to internalize all of this as a personal shortcoming or private shame-- some indication of our lack as individuals. But it's not that anymore-- the world has changed in severe ways in the last few years. I'm so sorry about your shop in Seattle-- please don't hesitate to reach out to me via email or message if you want to connect. I'm here to listen.