We had the good fortune of connecting with Courtney O’Reilly and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Courtney, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I often get asked how I became an astrologer–I laugh and say, by accident. Though truly I think astrology found me at precisely the right moment, just before my Saturn return, aka our initiation into adulthood from an astrological perspective. The cosmos called via a friend’s suggestion to enroll in Rebecca Gordon’s beginner’s astrology course, my curiosity led me to heed the call and it was all over from there. I fell in love with the symbolism, richness, and complexity astrology had to offer—not to mention the profound personal insights and breakthroughs that were possible as I began using it in practice. I couldn’t get enough, and so the following year I went on to take Rebecca’s intermediate course, followed by an in-depth one-on-one private mentorship. From there the idea to start a business seemed like a no-brainer, so I dived in head first and launched Vibrant Soul Astrology in 2015.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m an artist at heart with a background in performing arts, and I’ve always been quite perceptive and empathetic (hello Pisces rising!). One of my strengths lies in the ability to see the potential and essence of a person and kind of draw it out of them. It’s not that I’m telling them something they don’t already know necessarily, but rather acting as a conduit to remind and reconnect them back to their true essence, which ultimately leads to living a fuller, brighter, more vibrant life. I think when I found astrology what was so magnificent about it was that it gave me a lens through which to filter and translate some of those skills and abilities.

Since starting Vibrant Soul Astrology I’ve had the honor of working with hundreds of clients, wrote my first book, Zodiac Signs: Taurus published by Union Square & Co. Publishing, partnered with Intro as an astrology expert and Thinx as a brand ambassador, done both private and public events with such clients as Planned Parenthood, Garmentory, Soho House, Kin, and Maha Rose, and have been featured in Cosmopolitan, Women’s Health, Well+Good, and more.
Lessons Learned:

Stay true to yourself and your own inner knowing. That sounds generic and cheesy and simple, but it’s actually profound in its simplicity and hurts like hell if you stray from it.

When you have that spark of joy and curiosity around something, it is meant for you, follow it.

Lean into your support system, don’t be too proud to ask for help, no one does it alone.

Part of your job as an entrepreneur is risk-taking.

Every person you will ever meet wants to be seen and acknowledged. Receiving someone’s full attention is rare and it is a gift.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Well, I live in NYC–so I’ll talk about that!

A Broadway show is a must, some of the most talented people you will ever encounter live and perform in NYC–never miss an opportunity to see them live!

Speaking of which, my friend Marti Cummings puts on an amazing drag show.

I’ve also come to be really obsessed with my neighborhood of Crown Heights, Brooklyn after living here for 10 years:

I love the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, it’s become my backyard honestly.

The Brooklyn Museum is incredible.

After an afternoon wandering the garden and museum, grab a cocktail at Tooker Alley on Washington Ave. Then head to my partner, Scott Dansby’s new restaurant, Arden, up the street on Franklin Ave for an unforgettable dinner cooked over a woodfire grill.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Oh my, there are so many! My sweet partner, Scott Dansby, and my dear friends and family for always believing in me and supporting me no matter what unforged path I decide to throw myself into. Also, my beloved mentors: Rebecca Gordon of Rebecca Gordon Astrology and Founder of AstrologyZone.com, Susan Miller. I love them so much and couldn’t have gotten here without them.

Website: www.vibrantsoulastrology.com

Instagram: @vibrantsoulastrology

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtney-o-reilly-b3aa20138/

Twitter: @vibrantsoulnyc

Facebook: @vibrantsoulastrology

Other: TikTok: @vibrantsoulastrology

Image Credits
Dylan Baker

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