The One Who Started It All: Shelly Paull

For the next few weeks, we will be posting a weekly interview with everyone at the shop. This week, we are starting with Shelly Paull, the owner of Illuminate Your Spirit. What a great way to celebrate Women's History Month.

Lolly: What better way to kick off our blog than with an insider interview with Illuminate's very own Shelly Paull?! Shelly, how are you today?

Shelly: I’m doing great, I got to have the day off so I’m doing great!

L: Amazing, I love that. So, you’re the sole owner and co-founder of Illuminate Your Spirit.

Shelly: Yes, correct. Way back, way back in the early days, it was me and my sister. And actually another friend of mine. And as we were going along, my friend ended up leaving; my sister decided it was too much for her. So it was just me! I feel that’s how it should have been in the first place, to be honest with you because this was MY dream. Spirit was leading ME to do this.

L: That actually brings up my next question: at what point in your Tarot journey did you decide this was the right move?

S: Almost… as soon as I realized that I had this ability, I knew I was meant to do readings for people with it. And because I have such an entrepreneur heart, it was like this was just the next step – to open up a business. For me, this is what I needed to do.

L: And you were originally located in Plymouth.

IYS Plymouth Location, Wing St

S: Yes, for seven years.

L: Wow! And you’ve been in Livonia for nine years?

S: That’s what Danielle says! I trust her with my math.

L: Do you ever think about the switch from Plymouth to Livonia?  Like, do you miss the old shop?

S: So, funny thing, what I miss about being in Plymouth is all the delicious restaurants being around us!

L: Amen

S: That was something that we really liked and I miss them. But honestly – and I’m not just saying this – honestly, the move to Livonia was the best thing for our business. It’s a bigger space, we have private rooms WITH DOORS, there’s a break room for the readers to stay at instead of having them upfront when people come in! It just works so much better. And the location, I think, is better because there isn’t an issue with parking.

L: I was just thinking like, I never went to the Plymouth location, but we have a parking lot here! And I don’t think really almost anyone has a parking lot in Plymouth so that is really nice.

S: No, we didn’t. They set it up for two hour parking, and if you were past two hours, you got a ticket! You know, my readers who were there had to go out and keep moving their cars. It was just a pain!

L: I’m so, so thankful for the VIP parking.

S: Oh yeah, I got a ticket, my partner got a ticket, my readers got tickets!

L: Good riddance and I’m grateful to be here. But you’re not actually around much anymore. What have you been up to while you’re away?

IYS Livonia Location (current), Farmington Rd.

S: So, I have found something that brings joy to my heart, and that is kind of working from home and doing my TikTok readings. I absolutely love them. They’re more aligned to how I like to do my readings: they’re quick, you get the information, you move on to the next. I really, really enjoy it. I’ve met amazing people on TikTok. People – clients that I’m very involved in their lives, haha. I’ve made a couple really good friends through TikTok. So, that’s how my life kind of shifted after these 15 years. Danielle does such a good job at running the shop, I don’t feel like I HAVE to be there 24/7. 

L: Mhm. Agreed.

S: I’m getting to live the dream.

L: I agree, Danielle is doing a great job and your Lives are extremely fun to watch along with.

S: Thank you!

L: Of course! So if we wanted to book a reading with you, how would we do it?

S: If you want a reading from me, come watch my TikTok Live. It’s $10 per question. Very in-depth reading. That is the only personal readings I’m doing right now. I might have the option available later this year, but for now, this is what works for me and my clientele.

L: Should we expect you back in the shop anytime soon?

S: Danielle is absolutely doing an amazing job running the shop. I’m kind of more behind-the-scenes with things. I’d like to come back and do readings at the shop once in a while, but I don’t have anything set up yet.

L: Speaking of doing readings… What is your favorite deck?

S: My favorite deck is based off a Rider-Waite deck. The Universal Tarot is what it’s called. I really like that deck.

L: It sounds very classic.

S: Yeah, I’m very classical. I like the traditional decks based on the Rider-Waites.

L: Before we go, can you give us a piece of advice about being a woman-owned business during Women’s History Month?

S: Do what you think is right, follow your intuition, and when you buy inventory… make sure you have more than one on hand!

L: Thank you so much, not just for the interview and advice, but for your vision and execution of one of the greatest places in the city!

S: Thank you!

L: Bye, Shelly!

Back when Shelly did candlework!

Stay tuned for more interviews as we get to know the readers and practitioners in the shop!