Today we’d like to introduce you to Shirley Lipner.
Shirley, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I grew up in the small steel town of East Chicago, Indiana, reading movie magazines and dreaming of performing stand-up, writing comedy and being paged poolside at the Hotel Bel Air. I arrived in LA in my mid-20’s and I had many jobs in the entertainment industry while doing open mics at night. The first turn that led me to my where I am today began on a public access station. By this time, I was in my early 30’s, married with a baby and longing for a fun outlet. I developed a persona – Shirley U Jest, the psychic housewife. I had a live show on Saturdays and I would “pretend” to be psychic – bringing in items from home, household cleaning products, kids’ toys etc., and I would do “readings” off of them for the call-ins. So many people would contact me after my shows, telling me how accurate I had been and asking for readings. I was always shocked when they told me my predictions came true because I thought I was making it all up!
One day, my therapist told me that maybe it was comedy that had led me to my calling. He encouraged me to start getting paid for readings so that I could start paying him…well, that was how I started! I would meet clients in coffee shops, their car, my Mom van – anywhere I could find that was quiet. One day, a close friend who is a celeb hair stylist asked me to come to her shop on Saturdays and do readings for the ladies while they waited for their color to process…that led to a little write up in Los Angeles Magazine which led to my doing readings at events as I slowly built my private practice – which pretty much sums up how I got to where I am today. It’s a colorful process and you must PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I had to learn how to balance the spiritual and business aspects of the work. It’s important not to let anyone take advantage of your energy. I am not a fan of the word “boundaries” but I do have to put them in place from time to time with those that are living AND those that have passed! I also grappled with balancing family and work – but now that my boys have grown into men, I get to work as much as I want. I do struggle sometimes with the immense responsibility I’ve taken on. I adore my clients – everyone who walks through my door found me in a spirit way and, like Babe Ruth, the greatest homerun batter of all time, I want to knock every reading out of the ballpark and of course, this isn’t possible 100% of the time. Another challenge is that I never remember anything that happens in a session because the words are coming through me on a download and then going back out into what I call the “debris field” – and because I’m a people person, I do wish I remembered more when my clients come back for subsequent readings! (though they don’t seem to mind at all!)
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Psychic Shirley Lipner – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
I am a tarot reader/empath/psychic/medium/comedienne! I use the major arcana tarot cards only as my tool for accessing my clients’ energies but I can read ANYTHING because I listen deeply and resonate to my clients. I’m known for my lightness. I like to say that life is a souffle, not a poundcake! I don’t go down dark alleys unless I feel the pull to do so and then I always bring a flashlight. You would have to ask my clients what I’m known for! I think most of them would say it’s my “momliness”! (is that a word?)
I’m most proud that I built my business from the “grounded” up – reading by reading, event by event, client by client. I get to decide when and how I work now. I LOVE that I get to do something which is truly a match of me and my talents. I think what sets me apart is my humor. I use my funny almost like electroshock therapy to jolt some clients into seeing that we all have free choice and there is always another way to look at whatever situation is going on in their lives. I’m a psychic cheerleader! I LOVE my clients and I have actual friendships with many of them.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I am writing a book based on all my Tweets, Instagrams and random thoughts of mindfulness. I also want to write about how to build a business as I did, on the side while I worked my structured life in the main room. I want have my own radio show or podcast because I have such a great time when I’m a guest on them for other people. The biggest thing I’m doing now is that I’m starting to perform psychic improv. Going to venues and playing off the energies in the room in a fun way. Returning full circle to my stand up days and bringing my entourage of spirit guides with me!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.shirleylipner.com
- Phone: 3106997752
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @PsychicShirley
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/psychicshirleylipner/
- Twitter: https://youtu.be/X7MUCK6LwiE
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/shirley-lipner-santa-monica?osq=Psychics
- Other: https://goop.com/place/california/los-angeles/santa-monica-health-and-beauty/shirley-lipner/
Image Credit:
Kat Westerman
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
