“I stopped chasing clients”: Calendly automations power a spiritual business forward

I’m Melanie Marisol, an ancestral astrologer and spiritual consultant based in Western Maryland. My work has helped entrepreneurs — from solo founders to CEOs at small and midsize companies — realign their business strategies with their natural energy. Using astrology charts as a framework, I help clients stop spinning their wheels, focus on what truly works for them, and build income streams that reflect their deeper purpose.

This is not traditional consulting — it’s deeply personal, intuitive work. Because of that, the experience has to feel grounded, intentional, and seamless from the very first interaction.

When my client-based practice shifted from a side hustle to a full-time role in 2016, everything clicked — except for the behind-the-scenes business operations. Bookings. Payments. Follow-ups. It was all manual. I was doing transformative work on Zoom, then getting buried in my inbox. I found myself constantly toggling between tools, chasing confirmations, and trying to remember who I needed to reconnect with. I needed something that could help me avoid burnout and show up fully present.

Challenges

When scheduling gets in the way of the connection

Before Calendly, scheduling was chaotic. Between astrology readings, coaching sessions, and networking calls, I was spending hours each week emailing back and forth just to get time on the calendar. Some people gave me the wrong email to reach them. Others dropped off entirely before we could confirm a meeting. I’d tried other scheduling tools but they felt outdated, clunky, or too complex. One even required coding to customize. I don’t code. I didn’t have more time to spend on scheduling to troubleshoot a system when I needed to be serving people.

What I do is energy-intensive and relationship-driven. Every client conversation matters, and I need to be fully present. But the mental drag of constantly managing logistics made that harder. Follow-ups slipped through the cracks. Invoices had to be sent separately. People showed up late — or not at all. Even with the best intentions, I was losing time, energy, and future opportunities.

“I wanted to stay human in how I connected with clients, but I also needed structure to keep it all flowing.”

Melanie Marisol

Ancestral Astrologer

Solution

An effortless system that works as hard as I do

I first discovered Calendly through a business coach I admired. As soon as I tried Calendly, I knew I’d found the right tool. It was clean, simple to set up, and required zero technical training. Most importantly, it let me create a scheduling experience that felt like an accurate extension of me — inviting, quick, clear, and respectful of people's time.

Now, Calendly powers every step of my client journey. I use it to schedule connection calls, one-on-one readings, bespoke 90-day intensives, and even one-off VIP sessions using single-use links. Clients get an automatic confirmation, plus reminders 48 hours, 24 hours, and one hour before our meeting. That consistency means fewer missed calls and more focused sessions.

The real magic is in the follow-up. I set up a Calendly Workflow to automatically send a thank-you message after every session and a check-in email two months later. That one thoughtful nudge increased client response rates by 50%. Plus, about a quarter of those responses turn into repeat bookings.

Calendly even helped grow my email list. When participants book a connection call, a Calendly Workflow sends an automated email inviting them to subscribe. My list has grown by 25% since doing so — without me needing to do anything extra.

For payments, I integrated Stripe right into my Calendly Event Types. Clients can book and pay for a meeting all in one step. I used to send separate invoices and wait for confirmation. Now, the transaction is seamless and secure — and that’s made a huge difference in client confidence and follow-through.

“Everything about Calendly feels aligned with the kind of business I want to run. It’s rooted in trust, ease, and intentional connection.”

Melanie Marisol

Ancestral Astrologer

Results

More energy, deeper relationships, and a business that runs with grace

Since implementing Calendly, the impact on my business has been monumental. I no longer spend hours emailing or following up manually — it’s all automated. That means I have more energy for my clients, more clarity in my days, and more space to be creative.

The automated two-month follow-up alone has made a huge difference. Clients reply more often, and when they do, they’re eager to share the results of our work. About 25% of those who respond go on to book again — not because I chase them, but because Calendly creates a natural, personal check-in.

Calendly has also become part of my brand experience. Clients often mention how easy it is to book and how refreshing it feels compared to forms or overly detailed intake processes. One client told me, “This is the first time scheduling didn’t feel like a hassle — it felt like part of the service.”

“If Calendly disappeared tomorrow, I’d be in trouble. It’s not just a scheduling tool for me — it’s a core part of how I run my business with integrity. ”

Melanie Marisol

Ancestral Astrologer

The Chrome extension alone, which lets me grab a custom link in seconds, is a daily essential.

In a business where the work is deeply personal, having a system that feels just as thoughtful makes all the difference. Calendly gave me more than efficiency — it gave me back my presence.