IT TAKES (CRYSTAL) BALLS
From jumping through bureaucratic hoops to fortune telling, Mona does it all
BY MONA JOSEPH

There’s a psychic column in Liberty Watch? Yes, it’s true; this month heralds the launch of my “Into the Mystic” column with a magazine that recognizes the right for any individual to thrive at whatever he or she chooses. The beauty of a column of this nature is it truly embraces the essence of the magazine — the right of individual choice. Choice equals freedom and I will address questions sent by the Liberty Watch readers in that manner, assisting with an individual’s life choices. 

Las Vegas is the city of sex, sin, opportunity, political intrigue, suspense, drama, liposuction and constant advertising for great veneers. It takes balls (mine are crystal, thank you very much) to decide to become a professional psychic in Las Vegas. Since 2002, I’ve enjoyed meeting (and reading) many celebrities, business moguls and high rollers (ssshhh — psychic/client privilege). But I will tell you that at a Slot Tournament at Bellagio in 2004 (with a $25K buy-in), I told a woman that if she wore red to the tournament, the next day she’d be lucky, and she was. She won the first prize of $400,000.

What most don’t know, is that it’s a bit of a pain to even be licensed as a psychic. It involves about a three-month process where the person applying for the “Psychic Arts” license goes through a criminal background investigation by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police department and then must be approved by either a city council or county commission. Even moving to a new location must be approved by the council. I am charged twice yearly to maintain my license with the city, once a year to maintain my state license. And because I independently published a book, I must also hold a city and state sales tax license. Professionally licensed psychics in Clark County are not allowed to conduct readings from his or her home and must maintain a commercial address within the jurisdiction of the license.

Seventy percent of my business is derived from bookings at trade shows and special events. A quote from one of my clients in the Feb. 25 Las Vegas Business Press article about psychics explains why booking a psychic may be an effective marketing tool: 

Paul Warman, senior vice president for client services for Bridgestreet Worldwide, a Washington D.C.-based provider of corporate housing and relocation services throughout the United States, regularly hires Joseph to do readings at the many conferences and trade shows his company attends to attract new clients and generate revenue.

“Over the past two years, Mona’s direct efforts have brought us in over 10 new key clients in the multi-national, multi-million dollar revenue ($2 million to $10 million) category,” Warman said.

The slogan for this client’s trade shows is: “The Future is Bright with Bridgestreet Corporate Housing.” The marketing pros send out advance mailers to clients and prospects attending the conference for maximum appeal. 

Because of my trade show business, I decided to network at the January AVN convention. I figured it was a great opportunity to present the option of my services to the vendors for the 2009 show. Because no one appeared to be stopping by their booth, I walked up to the yellow-polo-shirt clad salespeople at “Happy Feet” and presented my card. After allowing me a short moment to explain what I do at trade shows, the woman looked down her nose at me and said, “We’re Christians, we don’t support the Devil.” I laughed, “OK, but I guess it’s okay to watch the Devil, right?”

I haven’t always been a professional psychic. I hold a degree in business management and enjoyed a successful sales career before deciding to be “all Mystic Mona, all the time.” I now put those business/marketing/sales skills to work (in addition to my intuitive ones) with this business of being psychic. My Psychic View Radio Program was launched in 2003, and is currently heard on AM 720 KDWN. 

Feel free to send your questions about any subject for which you’d like a bit more clarity. My e-mail address is mona@monavanjoseph.com. You may use any name you’d like, even your own — though I will probably change your moniker for the column. I will only answer e-mails for the questions that will be published. I keep the identities of my clients confidential, and besides my radio program, this is the only venue for which you’ll get free psychic advice.