Years ago, just after I became Certified as a Feng Shui Practitioner in New York and trying to get my business off the ground, I was employed by a hearing aid company called HearX. They have locations in many areas of the county and I was hired because I was a Registered Hearing Aid Consultant-in a former life :) I was only hired for the Front Desk position, however, as all HearX's on the East Coast require an Audiologist.
The business was located in Amityville, Long Island. Some of you may be familiar with the town. It was indicated to be the peaceful little town in "Jaws" but what really put Amityville on the "map" was the sensation of cold blooded murders as seen in "The Amityville Horror House." Not the best reputation in EITHER case. This particular part of Amityville was on a busy road and directly opposite it is a hospital where they also treat patients with mental issues.
I only worked with the Audiologist, another person also named Carol but the truth of the matter is, our location was not doing well. We got weekly sales reports of ALL the offices and "our" store never made the list. We eventually heard talk that they were thinking of closing that location---thereby leaving us jobless.
Carol had NO interest in Feng Shui. If I spoke of it she'd just shake her head-remember, this was in 1997. Most people had never even heard of it. But desperation can sometimes be an asset. I needed her permission to ‘change the Energy' of the office as it would affect her as well. Finally, she relented-in a sort of "Do what you Want" way. She reminded me that I could not use décor that was not already there; one of the unique aspects of HearX places around the states were that they were ALL Uniform. Same carpeting, same layout, same artwork. Their idea was that if people moved or for the sunbirds, they could go to any HearX and feel "at home."
It didn't give me much to work with. I spent a weekend there, a few hours each day. I brought some of my lovely plants from home and put them in the waiting room along with a pretty centerpiece for the table that was there that added COLORS. I rearranged the existing artwork to what I thought would be the most appropriate place for each picture, many of which had water scenes (good for the Element of Water) and added small touches here and there to address all the elements. I put a small and unnoticeable Bagua Mirror outside the front door to Intentionally "push" the Energy of the hospital AWAY from our area. I also hung some small bells on the front door (What the Black Sect method refers to as "Ringing in the Money." Boy, with the treat of closing, we REALLY needed to ring in the money.
I corrected the bathroom which was pure DRAIN energy and was finally allowed to keep the blinds open to let the "outside IN." And I did a space clearing. To me, the place felt fabulous--without spending a DIME.I got there early on Monday and anxiously awaited Carol's reaction-and she DID love it. "But how is that going to bring business?" she asked. I simply said "Change the Energy and it will Come." (I can still hear her laughing over that remark). But actually, business DID pick up, at first slowly and then more and more. All of a sudden we had actually made it into those weekly reports. And we no longer heard talk of closing our store.
At the end of six months, Carol and I made that business into the number ONE HearX in the Country for four consecutive weeks-a record! We both got big bonuses. That sometimes reminds me of what being a Feng Shui Consultant in New York seems to be all about: creating just ONE believer at a time!
*Carole Provenzale has been a Certified Feng Shui Consultant since 1997 and is the Founder of Feng Shui Long Island, New York City providing on site Feng Shui consultations for all of New York City (NYC) 
and Long Island and Distance Feng Shui Consultations by phone. For further information, please visit: http://www.FengShuiLI.com
Fascinating story Carole - & great that you were rewarded for your efforts. Often employees contributions are not acknowledged. I tend to have a need to adjust spaces where I spend time - I'm bettre at it when it's for other people!
Very resourceful
Carole... I agree, it's nice to be rewarded, even if later on. And so true about adjusting spaces, to make it more productive and comfortable, especially in regards to your work place. Great job..
You have so many success stories, have you thought about a book? I think maybe you should
Galye, So did the Audiologist....Until she allowed me to make the changes. Now she knows and absolutely believes in Feng Shui!
Deborah, We got some nice bonuses! And went from a threat of closing the store to being number 1 for four weeks. Everyone was amazed :)
Joan, I'm glad she allowed me to try--I'd been asking her and getting a flat NO.
Jeff, Thank you, it surprised even me how different the place looked and felt with some really simple changes.
Candy, I lost contact with her a few years after we both left and she moved. But she'd definitely beome a believer!
Fred, Home offices ARE very important. I do them as part of a distance consultation and often spend a while in that particular room--and it DOES increase business.
Betty, I believe incorporating even small Feng Shui adjustments when staging a home helps it SELL, I've seen it over and over. And there are some stagers that do use it--and benefit from it. If you're not incorporating it you might want to think about it.
Kathy, Home Offices are a really important part of a Feng Shui Consultation. Since they are all different, I had thought of writing a post but each one is individual--and I address them VERY carefully; they produce the money.
Cynthia, You're so sweet...I've thought about an EBook but need someone to put it together for me. I'd love to clear up some misconceptions and make Feng Shui truly EASY to understand.
Toni, If I'm not careful you'll doze off while reading my post one day :) Thank you for the wonderful comment. My grandmother lived in South Ozone Park, I wish I remembered the address--I used to be there SO much!
Carole--What a great story! I am now off to buy some bells for my office door! :)
Hi Carole,
Boy, are they lucky to have had you work for them!! I sure hope Carol appreciated all that you did for her! Now I have to ask, what kind of little bells did you hang, how many and from what kind of material? I am thinking I will make some and hang them on my husband's business as times are not so good.
Carole,
Wow, they must have been absolutely thrilled with you. Did anyone mention that it was likely your changes that brought about the extra business? This is a wonderful testimonial to the power of feng shui.
Now, about those 'ringing bells on the front door', I have some small brass goat bells that I hang on my front door every Christmas season. I only put them away recently, and now I'm encouraged to get them back out and hang them back up!! Does this apply for homes too or just for businesses?
((-:
Jo
Have a wonderful weekend :)
Mary
Bells.....There is a very particular way we hang things in Feng Shui that makes them work---I'm SO sorry, I am really reluctant to put that out there or no one will have a need to call for consultations! But yes, they do "Ring in the Money." (And not long ago I was told by a fellow consultant that I was giving out way too much information :( Seems I have to watch what I write.
Teri, I left the above comment because so many of you asked about them....
Trace, Sorry....I am being watchful of giving out too much now; I'm sure you understand.
Jo, Actually Carol told the district manager about the Feng Shui---and she laughed :) Until she saw the store, she loved it but I don't know if she ever believed it was the Feng Shui that did it!
Mary, Thank you for your comment, I wish you a wonderful weekend as well!
Carole, thank you for sharing this story. Feng Shui is a fascinating subject and your posts are always interesting.
Carole, I absolutely agree with you 100%... Changing the energy of a place has direct effect on health and prosperity. Did you ever heard that changing a place turns around your entire life. Either the work place or a home. There ARE happy places filled with positive energy. If you have the power to change the negative energy it is fine! But if you don't sometimes just moving to a happy place can change your luck.
If you ever come to Ohio I may hire you to come do a consultation on my house. LOL I'm sure you could work wonders! The biggest problem is we have too much stuff and not enough house! :)
Great post - and once again you have confirmed the success of feng shui.
I learn something new everytime I read your posts Carole - awesome story!
Sincerely
Grace
Griselda, Thank you--and thank you for reading and commenting.
Arina, I have absolutely see things turn around completely for a client and it STILL amazes me. We can change negative Energy, no one needs to move!
Harley, They certainly are, I've done a few but they don't want it known in most cases. It is absolutely facinating to work for huge corporations.
Carol, Getting rid of some of the stuff will make you feel better before you even do another thing. Think of what you don't really need or love....and find it a new home :)
Jeff & Grace, Thank you, this was such a fun time and it was so long ago I'd almost forgotten it.
Teri, Interesting points and I never know myself when or where to stop with information but I believe they may have a point. People can make all the changes and what NEW information would I (or anyone else) be able to provide them? So I do see this both ways.
Carole - What a success story! I believe 100% that Feng Shui works and that even small changes in energy can bring big changes in life. And I believe, like with many things, there are specific ways to place things in the space, otherwise why would you need to spend years and a lot of money in training if it was so easy?!
I'm sure everyone understands, that certain trade secrets are kept just that: secret.
Hi Carole,
I totally understand. Thank you.
Carole, I bought a book you recommended and am avidly reading it and using sticky notes to mark spots that I can easily incorporate. Thanks again. Betty