Conversations with Nicole Roche

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Roche.

Nicole, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My journey has been shaped by healing, queerness, creativity, and magic, with a deep commitment to radical care and community. I’m the creatix of Gold Dust Femme, a space where tarot, cooking, writing, and ritual come together to help people feed their magic and connect more deeply to themselves. It’s my container to weave all my loves: intuitive cooking, storytelling, spiritual practice, plant magic and community support.

The roots of my path began in college at Simmons, where I started healing from an eating disorder with the help of a strong support network. That process reconnected me to my body, my joy, and to food as something sacred. I fell in love with queer stories, theory and food- Dorothy Allison, A Lesbian Appetite and Audre Lorde Uses Of The Erotic: The Erotic As Power are two bodies of work that inspire my work then and now. I was inspired and excited by how food, art, liberation, and community could bring people together and support community healing. I thought I’d become a Sociology professor, teach and write about embodiment and socio-cultural healing — but the academic path felt too disembodied and not right for me. I needed to be doing something more intuitive, more sensual, more aligned with my desires. I wanted to work with hands, connect with people and enjoy what I did every day.

In NYC, I built a life as a queer femme caregiver, house manager, and personal cook — carving out a niche cooking plant-based meals for families in the restaurant industry. At night and on the weekends in true NYC hustle and 30 year old energy, I was hosting queer pop-up dinners, baking for art show openings, teaching free yoga in my apartment, selling vintage, reading tarot at parties, dancing a lot and creating space for queer folks to connect, heal, and dream. I made a name for myself in nightlife and wellness circles in both NYC and LA. I was the witch who showed up with a crystal, vintage dress and the best vegan pesto you ever had. I love a good party — and I love bringing magic to it.

A visit to Salem, MA in 2014 after a bad break up changed my life. A tarot reading there affirmed what I already felt inside: I was on a new spiritual path. That moment opened the door to years of learning and unlearning — heart healing and learning to trust my intuition. I studied with other witches and mediums, developing strong boundaries and tools so I could offer this work in a trauma-informed, ethically rooted way. My services are always guided by liberation, radical tenderness, and choice. I’m not here to tell people what to do — I’m here to hold space, reflect, and offer tools. Tarot is one of those tools: a symbolic and archetypical form of communication that offers clarity, awareness, and affirmation of what you likely already know deep down.

Gold Dust Femme is where I bring all this together. I write a monthly full moon newsletter with rituals and recipes, plus astro-lunar playlists to cook, move, and do magic to. I share seasonal content on my blog and offer integrative, one-on-one sessions that include tarot, breath, creative planning, and embodied practices. My intention is always to give people tools to engage with all their senses — to reconnect to themselves, their magic, and their vision. Whether you’re launching a business, writing a book, organizing your community, or simply remembering how to rest — I’m here to be your cheerleader and your mirror. You already hold the answers. I just help you tune in.

People often ask me to choose one lane — but my offering is intentionally interdisciplinary. Sometimes you need a tarot reading. Sometimes you need a full moon soup recipe, a playlist to feel into you body, or a plant ritual to help you ground. I believe we deserve to meet ourselves with complexity, softness, and magic.

Even now, I work full-time in tech while continuing to build Gold Dust Femme. It’s taken time to lay the foundation and I’m proud of what I’ve grown. I’ve had the honor of working with artists, organizers, movement leaders, and small business owners. My clients are brilliant, bold, and heart-led. I came to Los Angeles to grow this business, and it’s truly blossoming — with beautiful connections, new opportunities, and a deep sense of alignment. Also, I love Los Angeles so much! I will always keep my east coast/ NYC heart but I married an LA babe and I’m in deep love- the weather, the people, the nature spirits and the air is sweet like the jasmine and salty in all the right ways.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Definitely not smooth. I’ve learned so much from the bumps. There have been seasons where I felt magnetic and aligned, and others where I asked myself, Why am I even doing this? I’ve gone through different brand names, shifted offerings, and launched projects that didn’t land. I’ve had stretches with no bookings, moments of deep doubt, and times where I seriously considered shutting it all down. Every time I started to really consider closing shop, someone would reach out for a tarot reading or recipe and it felt like my ancestors tapping me to say no! Don’t give up!

Other people’s opinions and almost but not moments have been bumps in the road as well. I’ve been told I need to “just choose one thing,” and I’ve had people express support for my vision, talking about opening a restaurant with me — and then backing out. Getting booked for a retreat to cook and teach yoga and then the whole thing gets cancelled. The almost moments, they are hard. It felt like the match was lit and then went out before lighting the fire. The “not getting it” experiences taught me to trust my gut, listen more closely, surrender and understand rejection can be protection. Every so-called “failure” gave me new skills, new community, and a clearer sense of direction. It’s all feedback.

I’ve had to learn so much with myself and others. I was around entrepreneurs growing up but no one taught me how to really start a business. I blame the patriarchy. I invested in classes that didn’t end up being helpful. I’ve had to learn how to build my own website and systems because I couldn’t afford to hire someone. It has been frustrating at times and slower, but it taught me so much and gave me a sense of ownership over my brand and my work which I’m really proud of.

One of my ongoing challenges has been visibility, especially on social media. As a sensitive, creative person, putting myself out there can feel vulnerable. Sharing my writing, asking to be paid, claiming the value of my work. All of that brought up old stories around worth, especially as a femme person. I had to de-program internalized feelings of femme labor, art and practice as something to be just given away and always accessible. I had to learn to say: My labor deserves compensation. My magic has value. That’s been a practice over time. In theory I believe it and I would tell any client, get your money! But internally I struggle sometimes putting it into practice. I do the work and give myself grace as well, because capitalism sucks and we are finding our way in this. My business gives me the hope and belief in growing something new and different. I believe in that through all the setbacks and they have taught me to keep carving my own path.

There have been financial challenges too. Times where I didn’t have enough clients to sustain the work full-time, and I had to ask myself if I could still justify it. Moving across the country to LA meant starting over in a lot of ways — grounding, rebuilding community, and learning a new landscape. Each challenge has refined me. It’s helped me build integrity, resilience, and clarity around who I am and what I offer. I’ve struggled a lot and grown a lot and I know I’m not alone in that. Business is soul work in a lot of ways. I think people like to desensitize it, and yes this can happen but for many people our emotions, purpose, craft and livelihoods are layered into our business or brand and so I think we all get feelings about it, have struggles and moments of just what the fuck why is this happening. And it is the reality of being a human in this time. It is not easy but the world needs our art and our magic.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a queer femme witch, intuitive coach, writer, and kitchen witch based on Tongva Land (Santa Monica, CA). I created Gold Dust Femme as a space and archetypal brand shaped by my sparkle, values, and the kind of magic I want to offer the world. It’s where I get to blend all my passions — tarot, food, writing, ritual, and radical care — into offerings that are tender, delicious, and transformative.

I write Feed Your Magic, a blog and newsletter where I share plant-based recipes, astro-lunar playlists, and tarot insights to support people through change and transition. I also work one-on-one with clients through intuitive coaching and tarot sessions, holding space for folks to reconnect with their bodies, intuition, creativity, and vision. The core intention behind everything I do is to help people nourish themselves through intuition, ritual, creativity, and care. I want you to feel and taste deliciousness!

What makes my work stand out is how I weave food and tarot together — two powerful tools for nourishment and clarity. My hope is to give you tools and witch tips from my Mary Poppins bag to Feed Your Magic. Sometimes it’s a dreamy full moon soup recipe, sometimes it’s a tarot reading paired with a meditation and playlist to dance it all out after. My approach is holistic, trauma-informed, and rooted in tenderness, humor, and deep listening. All my recipes are created with intention of access, season, budget and allergies. Food is political. I bring an awareness to food justice, seasonal eating, climate awareness and eating sensitivities-while staying true to flavor and technique without being intimidating.

I specialize in intuitive support that engages all your senses — mind, body, spirit, and pleasure. I pull from a wide background: sociology, feminist theory, coaching, yoga, herbalism, ancestral healing, and grassroots organizing. My work is interdisciplinary and never one-size-fits-all — I’m not here to “fix” you. I’m here to co-create magic with you.

I’m most proud of carving my own path. I have stayed true to myself and followed my creative desires.I learned how to build a website and write a business plan. I listened to my intuition, let my witch flag fly free and honored my joy while building something true to me. I’m proud of holding space for people I deeply respect. And hearing/seeing my work offerings in the world and the impact it has on people gives me the energy to keep doing this- getting a sweet note from someone that made my recipe and loved it, hearing my playlists in my friend’s store, getting a message from a client that they had their Queen of Wands moment. I want to continue to create offerings and services that center care and are rooted in what feels real and true to my values. I’ve been able to do it my way, even through the challenges and it is a gift and honor to do this work.

The last thing that sets me apart-my signature scent. I like to leave an essence for people to remember me when I’m in a space or walk by. I’ am a Leo Sun and Capricorn rising 😉 I want you to remember me. Scent is so powerful. I wear a blend my friend and fellow witch makes which is like nothing I have ever found or smelled before and it makes me feel powerful, sexy and grounded. My NYC and LA friends know I have arrived when they get the sweet scent of aged patchouli, rosewood and tobacco in the ether.

If you want to work with me the best way learn about me and my services is to visit my website www.golddustfemme.com. I’m a newsletter lover and it is the best way to stay connected and get my recipes and tarot notes to your inbox is to subscribe to Feed Your Magic. You can find me on substack as well under the same handle and you can follow me on IG @Gold_Dust_Femme.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
I dont think so but if you need anything extra…

I believe in radical dreams becoming reality. I believe healing happens alone and together. I believe we all deserve to eat deliciously and live in our pleasures. I believe in witchcraft, kitchen magic, the art of hosting and the power of queer love and community. I stand in deep solidarity with Free Palestine + BDS, BIPOC and Queer/Trans liberation, forest defenders, water protectors, food justice, body autonomy, prison abolition, reparations, Indigenous sovereignty, open borders, emergent strategies, and joy.

My deep loves include wildflowers, lavender, rosemary, sea glass, Jeopardy, bugs, whales, Anne Wilson, Sade, disco, pickles, orange wine, Mary Oliver, Real Housewives, vintage glasses, blueberries, poetry, femme friendships, baby giggles, and Prince. When I’m cooking, I channel the women and witches in my lineage — those who used herbs and food to gather people around joy and healing. My love language is cooking for you. I’m currently working on a project with a friend and collaborator that’s all about Femme History and the Art Of Hosting. If you have a private party and you want to bring some magic to the space email me! I love working parties.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.golddustfemme.com
• Instagram: @Gold_Dust_Femme
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/user/rochen26?si=4800f825d2a54b83

Image Credits
Nicole Roche