Let me start by saying this: I’m done apologizing for knowing my worth. My time, my energy, my talent—they aren’t freebies, and they aren’t up for debate. Yet, every day, I’m confronted by the misconception that what I do—my psychic readings, my energy, my deeply personal services—should somehow be exempt from the basic concept of value exchange. That because I’m good at it, because it’s "spiritual," it should be free.
Let me make it clear: my psychic readings aren’t a parlor trick. They aren’t a random “gift from the universe” that fell into my lap, and they sure as hell aren’t some hobby I do to pass the time. This is my life’s work. My career. My craft. It’s a skill honed over years of experience, intuition, and dedication. A service I pour my heart, mind, and energy into, just like any artist, chef, or musician does. And just like them, I deserve to be compensated.
Yet, in this digital age, entitlement runs rampant. I’ve had clients who book my services, receive their readings, and then pull out the oldest trick in the book: the "I can't afford this, please refund me" routine. I’ve been patient. I’ve been understanding. I’ve allowed people to devalue my time because I genuinely care about helping others. But when it becomes a pattern—when someone exploits your goodwill over and over—it stops being about money and starts being about respect.
You don’t walk into a restaurant, eat the food, and then tell the chef, “I couldn’t afford this meal, so I’m not paying.” You don’t walk into a concert and demand to be let in because “music is for the people.” So why is it any different for me? Why is my time and energy seen as less valuable?
To those who’ve questioned my prices, let me explain what goes into a reading. It’s not just about sitting down and typing a response. It’s about tuning into your energy, focusing all my mental and emotional bandwidth, and delivering insights that are both meaningful and transformative. That level of dedication takes something out of me. And it’s worth something.
But it’s not just the entitled clients that frustrate me—it’s the systemic disrespect baked into platforms like Fiverr. Every refund, every order cancellation, doesn’t just take money out of my pocket. It tanks my ratings. My rankings. It tarnishes the reputation I’ve spent years building, all because someone wanted to game the system for a freebie. And in an industry like mine, reputation is everything.
I recently had to block a client who’s been pulling this crap for years. For years. They’ve followed me from account to account, booking readings, getting their refunds, and coming back for more. Enough. I won’t allow my work—my purpose—to be devalued like that anymore.
This career isn’t just something I do for money—it’s something I do because it’s who I am. I’ve been reading people long before platforms like Fiverr existed. Back then, I used an alias—Demetri Welsh—to protect my identity and my peace of mind. But today, I’ve shed that layer of anonymity because I want to stand fully in my truth. My name is Derrick Solano, and this is my life’s work. And if you can’t respect that, you don’t deserve my time.
Yes, it’s the holiday season. Yes, finances are tight for many. But here’s the thing: you don’t get to use that as a justification to exploit someone else’s hard work. My services aren’t cheap, and they’re not supposed to be. They’re priced to filter out people who don’t take this seriously, people who are looking for a handout rather than genuine guidance.
And for those who think my work is somehow “lesser” because I use AI in other aspects of my creative life—like my music or my podcast—let me say this: the AI doesn’t replace me. It enhances me. Every lyric, every melody, every blog post and podcast episode, comes from my soul. AI is a tool I use to amplify my vision, not create it for me. But my readings? My readings are 100% me—my intuition, my focus, my energy.
We live in a world where creativity is constantly devalued, where authenticity is questioned, and where people expect something for nothing. But here’s the truth: respect isn’t given; it’s earned. And I’ve earned mine.
So, if you’re someone who respects what I do—thank you. Truly. You’re the reason I keep going. But if you’re someone who thinks I should offer my time and talent for free, or that I owe you something simply because I can help—you can show yourself the door.
The lesson here? Don’t let anyone devalue what you bring to the table. Whether you’re an artist, a psychic, a writer, or a chef, your work has worth. And you deserve to be respected for it.