It’s another glorious Friday! And it’s time for us to highlight more amazing black entrepreneurs! In Where You Should Be Spending Your Money, we showcase the various businesses available in our community that we can support to inspire you to cycle your very important and all-powerful dollar amongst people that look like you and have YOU in mind. Today, we feature Knowing Soul.
IHTG: Tell us a little about yourself (hometown, family life, etc.).
My name is Kimberly Virdure. Though my life began in St. Louis – Indianapolis, Detroit, Chicago, Houston, and Atlanta are all my hometowns. I’ve been blessed and share my world with 3 beautiful, dynamic, and unique children who continually reveal new aspects of our world to me. We each march to the beat of our own drums, yet collectively create a unified song. I naturally gravitate toward writing, graphic design, web development, genealogy, gardening, photography, and philosophy when my time is free.
IHTG: What motivated you to start this business?
Knowing Soul LLC manifested organically after I experienced a sudden spiritual awakening in 2010. I’d never heard of the term ‘spiritual awakening’ and hadn’t considered myself ‘spiritual’ (though others did). In an instant, I realized an infinite, timeless, wholly-loving, metaphysical reality that has forever changed and continually blesses my focuses in this life. I wasn’t sure what was unfolding but knew it was True and that I had to live it, express it, and share it.
Psychic and mediumship abilities had always been a natural part of my experience – so much so that I never considered labeling them. Just as we don’t call ourselves ‘hearers’ because we hear with our ears, I hadn’t called myself a psychic medium until I was blatantly and divinely called to serve in this way after my awakening.
I began this wonderful path of partnering with others on their journeys through self-realization when I became a life coach in 2006. Spiritual readings were integrated into my services in 2011 as my life coaching business evolved into Knowing Soul LLC.
A passion for reminding others of the power of stillness and the sacred beauty of our Life stories fuels my dedication and reverence for this work.
IHTG: Tell us about your business.
Whether collaborating in Spirit through a psychic or mediumship reading or engaging in the practical, action-oriented nature of life coaching, I’m dedicated to providing transformative spiritual guidance and practical tools tailored to each individual Soul’s journey.
My services include one-to-one, couples, and group spiritual readings – by phone, video, and in-person sessions. I also provide personal life coaching services for those who are ready to do the work required to bring their ideas and ambitions to life.
Being easily accessible as souls are inspired to connect is an important part of my business model, so I’m ‘on call’ most days of the week and have set up a quick and easy booking process at kimberlyvirdure.com and knowingsoul.com. Sessions can be booked with as little as 30 minutes notice, and I offer free introductory readings to anyone who hasn’t experienced a session with me before.
My clients represent many aspects of humanity and they’re scattered around the globe. I meet each of them by heart – that space without the labels and defenses we cloak ourselves with. The common thread among my clients is an innate desire to genuinely live in ways that honor their personal truths.
IHTG: How does your business give back to the community?
I regularly provide spiritual readings, mini life coaching sessions, and virtual group sessions for reduced rates or no charge at all in order to remain accessible to those facing challenging life phases. I also offer Pay What You Can sessions on Monday evenings.
IHTG: What advice would you give to someone considering starting a business?
Once you decide to be a business owner, take one step, then take another, and another…
Every business starts with a dream. Foster that dream by honoring your vision while consciously leaving room for its evolution. Continually hone your craft, refine your skills, honor your product or service as an extension of your Self.
Build a solid foundation! Establish a business name and legal structure, get needed licenses and permits, determine funding needs, research tax considerations, develop your branding strategy and marketing plans (including website development and social media presence), obtain a physical business space and research product development needs if required. In short: develop and maintain a business plan that can scale and evolve as you and your customers do.
Know your people! Be vigilant in maintaining sound business practices that simplify processes and provide the customer experience your market desires.
Collaborate! Nothing comes to life without the support of others. Partner with other businesses that offer complementary services. Hire people who love to do things you don’t like to do.
Know your numbers! Establish accounting systems to track income and expenses, including tax requirements.
Have fun! Keep your heart aligned with the REAL reasons you want to become a business owner.
6. What is the best advice you’ve received since starting your business?
“You have to know there are people waiting for exactly what you alone have to offer.”
You can learn more about Kimberly and her services by visiting her on Instagram @knowingsoul.
