Feng Shui seen through the eyes of a Feng Shui Consultant.
This past Sunday I did a Feng Shui Consultation for Curves on Post Avenue in Westbury, Long Island, New York. I’d heard of it, it’s an exercise franchise but I didn’t realize the principles behind Curves and what has made it so successful. I was called because the new owner felt that business had dropped off and wanted to create better Energy in her space.
The only sign allowed to be used at the present with the entrance in the back door. We reversed the Bagua. The picture on the right shows the WEALTH area--a storage room (or I should say a FORMER storage unit :)
Before I tell you about Curves itself, I will share what 
I believed might be some of the issues. In speaking with her I had learned that the previous owner had decided to sell simply because she lived too far. There had been no problems and the staff had remained. However, I was reluctant to advise her that I felt there had been a huge argument in that space. When I asked her if she knew anything about the owner prior to the person she bought it from, it turned out that two chiropractors had rented the space. They had completely renovated it and had bought all new equipment—they in fact were the ones that had such a severe argument that they broke their lease with the landlord and left their machines behind!
Taken from the "back" of the store, the entrance in on the left in the picture. The front desk had clutter and nothing to back that person up behind them. There is also a small room by the screen which they are making a private room for members to sign up; oftentimes there is private medical information to be shared and we felt it should be a quiet spot.
Another issue was that the new owner had not as yet “moved in.” Her office was bare of anything relating to her or her family. It was not decorated and, in fact had pictures of people hung up that she did not even know. People need to CLAIM their space. There also was not a sign on the front of the Building. Putting up a new sign or even banner has to be approved by the town. This is not the first time I’ve seen this on Long Island and a big Feng Shui Principle is “Get your Name out to the Universe.” Until she could do that, we reversed the Bagua using the back door as her entrance. I did, however, notice that her neighbor (a nail salon) had their own window and a shared entrance. I asked her to ask her neighbor if she could put a Curves sign in the window.
I was absolutely impressed with the way Curves works. It is a 30 minute workout that isolates and targets certain muscle groups on each machine. You are only on each machine for 30 seconds, move on a mat for 30 seconds and move again to the next machine. You stop at certain points to check your heart rate. The exercises are not difficult and you’re not sore at the end of your workout, yet you use all your muscles in the workout. Wonderful idea and I just might join. Here are some of the things I suggested for this space; she also had an untapped wealth of inexpensive ways to advertise that she needed to utilize….It’s unlikely many people knew it was THERE. I believe she will do very well.
A glimpse of my client's office....blank walls, not decorated. Behind the door are files of former Curves clients MY client wanted to dispose of---I thought of everything I read on EXPIREDS here on Activerain! I asked her to have someone call EVERY person and offer them a special.
Women love to congregate. This was the perfect spot to chat or even market with each other but it was used as the warm up area. We moved the warm up area to the former check in area and coffee and low fat treats will be offered for those who want to stay. GOOD ENERGY EMINATES! We are also putting a "Members Area" where people can leave cards and brochures to help each other out.
Some marketing tips I gave her: To visit all the stores nearby and ask to leave cards and brochures. I'm sure they'd be happy to do so and she can reciprocate with her "members" area. She also had a huge new complex of Condominiums right next store; I'm willing to bet many of the people didn't even know they were there! Easy and inexpensive. I did the Space Clearing and it felt wonderful to ALL of us.
If you live near or in Westbury, Long Island, I urge you to see this wonderful space. I currently work out at home but cannot nearly achieve the results I would at Curves; if they were seeking new members, they just got one!
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Certified Feng Shui Consultant since 1997 and Founder of Feng Shui Long Island & NY providing Consultations for Homes & Offices. Working with Realtors for Home Staging and Feng Shui to sell homes fast
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Carole,
WoW, you did an amazing job for her......just while I was reading the story of all of the changes you advised for her, I could feel the energy of the place rising ! I think she is going to be VERY successful.
I know some people who go to Curves from my office and they really love it.
Jo
Carole - great post and lots of information on how you determine what needs to be done to improve the Feng Shui of a business. Great pictures!
You never cease to amaze me, lady! LOL What an awesome job you have done for Curves! Who knows, maybe you will get calls from ALL the Curves franchises and be a traveling fool! Thanks for sharing - this is great!
Carole, I love the members only area - it is so inviting, I wouldn't want to work out, but just hang out :)
I have a realtor that I work with and she swears by Feng Shui when previewing a home. Nice post.
Carole, small world, I grew up very young part of childhood in Westbury. Sometimes I think Feng Shui is like Staging but from an energu perspective. It does focus a lot on getting rid of clutter. Great story, and great pictures. I like the Members Area idea.
My broker goes to Curves .... and keeps asking me to go...
I'm glad you could help out....that really is a great place for women to go excercise....better than the meat market at the other places where all the kids go to check each other out :)
Carole - I have a curves up the street, you have made it sound so enticing. I had no idea how they worked. I am glad you could help them, the idea of going through the "expireds" was fantastic.
Carole
I am just blown away at how much you can change people's lives for the better. Truly a pure art form.
Sincerely
Tom Braatz
Well Carole this was quite interesting - how did you know about the argument? or did I miss something?
Great marketing advice - I'm sure that they will have positive results!
Great post, very informative and awesome pictures !
Hi Carole - Great post! It is amazing how your intuition plays the role in your analysis. Have you ever written something similar on REALTOR's business?
Hi Carole,
Nice post. I have to say I think the lady that owns Curves just got her best advertising all thanks to you!! You have just put the name out there in the universe! Think of all the people that read your blogs. She really did herself a great favor when she hired you, because she received a place full of better Energy, marketing advice, free advertising and maybe a new client! Yes, I think that was the best call she ever made!!
Carole, My assistant goes to Curves in Ann Arbor and loves it. I'm sure your wisdom will really help her. I go to the Saline Rec Center, it is closer to my house and I"m always in a hurray.
Carole: I think the way you re-organized and de-cluttered is excellent. I have found that when things are cluttered around my house, my mind seems to be cluttered too. When things are in order, my mind is clearer. The owner's best marketing tool was calling you in the first place. Great job.
Hi Carole,
I never cease to be amazed at what you can do for people and above all, the compassion and caring you put in your work.
We have Curves here and lots of people really enjoy it.
Carole--I like how you were able to share with your client information you have learned from us agents with the expireds...Shows that you are learning much from us real estate agents as we are able to learn from you. Great job!
Jo, I wondered if people can see it through MY eyes and not just before and after shots....hopefully trying to explain the reasons and why will help them understand a space. It will be a while before she makes all the changes (she is painting as well so we discussed color choices) but I will go back and revisit--or join!
Kevin & Monica, Thank you for your comment. I am trying to "show" before and afters without yet having the "afters" :)
Carol, I can just see it, me as the New Curves Spokesperson :) I truly DID love the method they use with isolating and targeting different areas. I exercise but can't do all that! And I don't want to lose weight, I'm trying to GAIN!!
Lisa, Exactly! I thought of having coffee out and having people visiting and enjoying company....and wanted a place for them to congregate. When new potential clients come in they will fell WARMTH and hear laughter...Good energy will spread through the entire place and that in itself will attract new clients.
Larry, Thank you for your comment, I'm betting the realtor you work with does well. I workwith several on Long Island and they swear it helps as well :)
Gary, Westbury had gone a bit downhill, now I notice they are revitalizing it. The building that is going on right on Post Avenue is amazing...many condos and co-ops. Feng Shui is somewhat like staging but with a look towards energy flow and Intentions.
Sally, I loved it, I was very impressed. I somehow had a misconception it's about just losing weight but it's not---it's about staying healthy! I've learned some things from my daughter but I love the idea of a workout in 30 minutes and you've addressed all muscle groups.
Candy, That's so funny, that's exactly what I saw when I saw all those folders! I am sure they will get people back and all it requires are phone calls....easy to do at 10 or 20 a day!
Tom, Thank you so much! I love when I get those calls from an excited client who says "Guess What"? And that they always share such good news.
Deborah, I don't know other then to say I felt it...and was extrememly reluctant to mention it because we had already discussed the prior occupants. I need to be so careful with how I say something but I casually asked her if she could think of any arguments...and she had that A HA moment.
Melissa, Thank you. I hope you are doing well through those awful storms....
Marzena, I have things that I ask my Realtors to do and they are successful. They are attracting listings and selling! I worked with Feng Shui for a Realtor here in AR in Florida and she's thrilled--so am I, she is doing well. Her testimonial is on my page on here.
Trace, I asked her if I could take the pictures and post them to Localism. She didn't know what it was but didn't hesitate to say yes. I love that my clients trust me--they don't ask me how I'm going to write something or what I'm going to say, they just TRUST me.
Missy, I need to exercise or I don't feel well. Thinking I can target all areas in such a short time is a wonderful idea!
Teri, I am always learning on AR just as much from all of you. That was exactly the word that popped into my head, EXPIREDS. And I bet she'll pick some clients back up from that!
Carole - I had some friends in Austin that went to Curves and loved it too. I may have to check one out around here, you make it sound very enticing!
The members area you created is terrific! I *really* like all the suggestions you made for the entire space...all of them; and you've given me ideas too (as usual ::grin::)
Jackie
Hi Carole,
I know that you would never post something without getting permission first. What's not to trust about you!!! I am sure that everyone you meet can feel that immediately.
Carole, wonderful post! So much to learn from you.
Hi Carole! This brings back fond memories of a Curve in Hutto, TX. Their town mascot is the Hippo, and guess what was in front of their store. . . a purple hippo. I laughed so much that I stopped and took a picture of it. Wonderful post, as always. Hope you have a wonderful day!
Sounds like they desperately needed your help!! I think I need you to come visit my office and make it feel "right"!!
Jackie, I think she's going to be very successful. Many people also like those places to congregate and chat, now they can all promote each other (and Curves). I wonder if it's effective to show consults with befores but not afters (?)
Trace, My clients never ask what I'm going to write and when they allow me to use their pictures and tell their story I'm surprised they don't seem to worry. I love that about them, they trust me to write and show what is appropriate.
Jem, A purple Hippo next to Curves? I have to admit it's funny, I hope you share the picture one day! the colors of Curves stores are Purple and White too!
Michelle, Thank you. It's easier to show before and afters but it will be quite a while before she makes all the changes so I hope this still has the effect of seeing it through Feng Shui Eyes.
Ginger, They're going to be just fine, I can tell! I'm gong to give them a call next week to check up :) I don't need to be in a space, I do consultations at a distance by phone. I have no idea how a new client from California ended up on my website today, she doesn't remember what she put in!
Carole...you gave her some really great advice and some super Maketing tips too! I think you're expanding your horizons!!
Carole-
Very interesting. As I look for new office space, I always try to feel the area as well as look at the physical space. Thanks for sharing.
Awesome Post Carole - never thought of the application of these principles to business - great suggestions.
Sincerely,
Grace
You did a nice work Carole, and I know they will be very succesfull.
Joan, Way back when I took a year of marketing...it does come in handy although things have certainly changed with the way we market anything now. Still, I didn't think that people interested in exercise would go on the computer for it, I thought they'd look for a nearby convenient place.
Kim, Some people are much more sensitive to energy then others. So some people can pick up on the feelings of a place sooner.
Grace & Jeff, I do businesses and corporations quite often. That's always very interesting because they're often times such HUGE spaces. I love to do them when the employees are there, I can get a feel for their energy.
Maria, It was a fun job and interesting; I do believe she will be very successful as well!
Why did you reverse the bagua. Sorry if I missed that, but I couldn't locate the why on that.
Ardell, I might not have explained it well....she couldn't use her FRONT door for a number of reasons--so everyone entered through the back door. We had to grace that as her entrance. Thanks for you question.
Carole- What a great way to explain what you do in a business setting, I am sorry I somehow missed some of your posts. Katerina
Katerina, I miss posts too....it's almost impossible to keep up but I always enjoy yours as well.