Today we’d like to introduce you to Kathleen Day Gomez.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
For my Intuitive Life Coaching: alchemistandbutterfly.weebly.com @kathleen.day.official on Instagram.
I’ve studied and practiced general life coaching since 2014 in the areas of:
+Mental health & wellness (with a keen focus on trauma, PTSD, and self-perception/shadow work).
+Spiritual guidance.
+Creative blocks & career direction.
+Relationships.
+Mentoring.
As a neurodivergent member of the LGBTQ community, a mother, and a trauma survivor myself, I’ve received various therapies throughout my life which started in the early ’90s around the age of 12. Dealing with eating disorders stemming from acute body dysmorphia and clinical depression as well as various traumas would actually serve as a unique understanding of these syndromes later in life.
Therapy, psychology intrigued me and I remember the first time I began studying the field was at 12 years old. That continued formally when I took psychology in my Junior and Senior years of high school. Post-graduation, I continued studying basic psych, abnormal psychology, child psychology, and criminal psychology. I have always been intensely fascinated with the workings of the mind, the basis of conscience and morality vs. man’s primal nature.
What began as a way to better understand my own psyche evolved into a passion to aid others in understanding their own, working through their issues, and changing their lives for the better. By 2014, I began offering tarot readings publicly as a doorway to deeper life coaching. I didn’t even begin charging for my services until 2016. My intuitive mediumship has also always played a role in what I do, including paranormal investigation which I professionally did as part of a team from 2015 to 2017. I’ve continued to be a valuable outside consultant resource for various assignments in which a medium is useful.
As an intuitive life coach, my style varies depending on the needs of the client, always open to making special accommodations when needed. My techniques are ever-evolving as I continue to study and my education broadens.
What makes me different?
I intentionally veer away from the textbook, cookie-cutter formats in my coaching. I’m consistently challenging both outdated and new trendy schools of thought which are carelessly dappled throughout the internet and self-help books that can be misleading and even harmful to those who find themselves lost, unbalanced, or without a clear direction.
It is my aim above all else to organically delve into the specific needs of each individual I work with and develop a clear outline to work through their obstacles and issues, entirely tailored to them.
2. For my Art, Creative Brand Consultation and small business online boutique, The Imaginarium Wonder Emporium:
artistkday.weebly.com. @creative.consultant.kday and @artist.kday on Instagram. imaginariumwonderemporium.weebly.com. @imaginarium.wonder.emporium on Instagram.
I’ve been an artist all my life and began freelancing straight after high school graduation in 2000. I took odd jobs from mural painting to hand-drawn logo design to tattoo conceptual art to commissioned paintings for individuals and businesses… Having taken photojournalism in high school as well, I learned to market myself as a photographer and submit articles to various local publications. I’ve continued to rely primarily on this system of creative freelancing all my life.
Now, at 40, I would say, I have 22 years of professional experience. I find it important to state that my ADHD and later finding that I am on the autism spectrum has proven to be both a gift and a curse throughout the course of my life, and explains why I’ve had to maintain so many different creative outlets to stay happy. The social aspect of the work has always challenged me the most. When it comes to the creative part of it, that’s my zone, my zen, my organized chaos.
In 2017, I founded my small business, The Imaginarium Wonder Emporium as an outlet for my niche interest in all things vintage, whimsical, magical, and circus-themed. It became the perfect platform through which to sell my handmade crafts, curated antiques, and later the launch of my Cirque Couture wearable line (circa 2021). My company is ethically minded and focused on sustainability.
*For further reference, this is my company bio and mission statement as found on our website:
“What Exactly is The Imaginarium?
Everything you can imagine in one place.
A limitless supplier of wonder, a vehicle for amusement seekers and children aged 1 through 101.
Generally an experience for the whole image.
Quite simply, the greatest store on Earth.
From costumes and masks to everyday whimsical wear for the adventure seekers… oddities and curiosities, rare finds to imported and highly impractical brick-a-brack… a magic shop and apothecary, a home for strange books and crafts… a good likelihood of mischief of every manner can be found here.
The Imaginarium Wonder Emporium was originally founded as a toy shop + magic shop for curiosities of all vintage sorts. A place where discarded toys came to be reimagined and given a second life. Whether entirely by hand or spruced up by hand (and even curated as-is with the ware and tare that tells the stories of where they’ve been), you’ll find them here.
This second chance philosophy is at the core of our foundation. We believe one should reinvent themselves as many times as they see fit.
In life, we are ever-growing and evolving. We invite you to share in something altogether different. Welcome and we’re so very glad you came.
Mission Statement
“To create magic everywhere we go…
To facilitate it, invite it and ask it to stay awhile…
To actively seek it, harness it, and ride on its back…
This is our mission, motto, and creed.”
The Imaginarium Wonder Emporium
is my living dream, one that walks on its own two feet.
It is a place that is nowhere and everywhere all at once.
An experience that becomes the fondest memory.
It is a thing worth missing when it’s allusive and gone.
It is the mirror turned toward the child within.
Thank you for helping to keep my dream alive.
If I feed it, water it and believe in it hard enough one day it will grow bricks and mortar and have the grandest door that beckons you in and through. Dream with me once more.”
K. Day
Founder + Creative Director
The Imaginarium Wonder Emporium
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It’s definitely been a tumultuous journey, made more difficult by my struggles navigating professional interaction with other people as an autist with ADHD. Anxiety has always been a challenge for me.
As far as learning each variation of creative trade as well as psychology, those things have always been fairly easy for me since they fall under my niche interests. It’s like that for people on the spectrum; we find it invigorating to pursue our passions while typical life things like balancing a checkbook and house chores can be daunting and almost lost on us (i.e. “adulting”). My biggest hindrances have always been sticking to one area of key focus at a time and balancing a schedule that doesn’t leave me exhausted.
But it’s been worth it to continue pressing forward and never compromise my choice to make a living from my talents. They say the self-employed work the hardest, the longest hours and are paid the least and it’s definitely been true in my case throughout my career. Nonetheless, I wouldn’t trade my life for anything else.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
1. Intuitive Life Coaching:
I think I best answered what I do, my specialties, and what sets me apart from other life coaches in the beginning breakdown in the first page of the interview but please feel free to ask me to elaborate on anything else you feel your readers would like to know.
I’m most proud of the profound changes I’ve seen in the lives of my clients, especially the ones who have been coming to me over longer periods of time. When I’m told that my approach, the homework, my strategies have absolutely elevated their career lives or gotten them to a place of safety and contentment in their personal mental health and healing journeys, THAT is priceless.
It definitely propels me forward and enlivens my passion for this work. There is nothing like helping people, making a difference that improves their lives and can be witnessed and felt by their loved ones and colleagues as well. It’s worth everything.
2. Art, Creative Consultation, and The Imaginarium Wonder Emporium:
I am an internationally published multidisciplinary contemporary artist. I work with mixed media, I’m a painter, sculptor, illustrator, and work with textiles. I’ve taught children and adults various art mediums and like to place a particular focus on sustainable art using recycled materials and found art. I also paint murals when commissioned. As far as what I am most known for, I can’t pinpoint a specific medium; everyone in the community simply knows me as an overall creative.
In regard to my art, I’m most proud of the international recognition I’ve received for much of my artwork and the opportunities I’ve been given to be a keynote speaker in various exhibitions and events around the world (I think the most profound of which so far as being a keynote speaker and featured artist for “Day by Day”, an exhibition focused on the impact of racism and the social history of the black community navigating it, held in Shanghai, China 2020 via BYoung Fine Arts).
As a creative brand consultant, I offer the following services [all around the world] :
• Photography & Brand Content Creation for brands, individuals, and culinary / restaurants + chefs
• Web Design, Copy Writing & Branded Art including logo design
• Art Direction & Creative Consulting… and so much more.
I think in regard to my creative consulting, I’m most proud of my philanthropic work with small startups and nonprofits. Currently, my favorite is my web design, photography, and copywriting work for We Care Wildlife Sanctuary based in Lakehills, Texas. I volunteer my creative services to them pro bono. In turn, I get to experience the animals and learn the strenuous work, upkeep, feeding, and veterinary aid that goes into the rehabilitation and general care of so many different species living in a virtual paradise designed specifically with their respite in mind. It’s profound, to say the least.
The Imaginarium Wonder Emporium is most known for being a whimsical pop-up shop whose main purpose is to reignite the inner child.
People know to come to me for costume accessories, oddities, novelty gifts, and all manner of magical things. Children love it and when I host pop-ups I find them to be my most common customers, with pets being a close second. You’ll often see the dogs walking away from my area already wearing their paper crowns or tutus or clown collars… pet owners love it! Essentially, when people think of us they think of a little traveling circus for the senses.
I’m most proud of our short films which I like to create as an extension of what we do. The latest Imaginarium short film is called “The Living Circus” and was my directorial debut. It’s the most expansive cinematic work I’ve been involved in and coordinated to date. Filmed at The Good Kind by cinematographer Madison Eiland and produced by Pineapple House Platforms, it was strongly youth-led labor of love with many neurodivergent actors and talents involved (including my son Aiden who was 10 at the time of filming in early 2021).
Our actors were entirely local, many of whom are actual sideshow performers, trained actors, and models as well. Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus composer Jaime Ramirez composed the bulk of the soundtrack. Overall, the film acted as an embodiment of what we stand for, the power of imagination, and the importance of following our dreams.
What do you think about happiness?
Creating… anything I feel, at whim. Working with my hands, writing, even singing. My mind is constantly going in three to ten directions at once so bouncing between creative projects soothes a lot of that internal chaos.
For me, art is therapy in any form it takes. I’m happiest when I’m left to create for hours on end undisturbed. Being a mom doesn’t always afford me the opportunity, but I will say, I generally take the time to create between my life coaching and more technical consulting work.
Pricing:
- My Intuitive Life Coaching services start at $49
- My Tarot Readings start as little as $5
- My Creative Consultation has and a la cart pricing menu beginning at $20
- My freelance art commissions can be as small as $40 and up.
- The Imaginarium Wonder Emporium has novelty items priced as low as $2 to start.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://alchemistandbutterfly.weebly.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kathleen.day.official/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lifecoach.kdaygomez
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo8-LzH2TBF-4_R9DhkSwAQ?
- Other: https://imaginariumwonderemporium.weebly.com/
Image Credits
Visual Cause, Freddy Camargo, and Simply Sefra Photography
