Business Feng Shui: Best Tips and Practices

The ancient practice of Feng Shui when looking at our businesses is very different from a home analysis. Here are some top tips and observations I have noticed in my 22 years as a Feng Shui Consultant:

1. Access to your business – can your customer find the front door or do they see a confusing sign that says “Use other door”, can the customer open the door or do they have to pull hard or do they need to “watch their step” entering? Access to your establishment is the critical first step and this is also finding it. Are you on a side street with little visibility? Is the front of the business blocked by something like trees and shrubs or another building or obstacle?
2. Best location for a business is on a busy street where the signage clearly states what you are offering and can easily be seen. Parking should be in close proximity to and easy to navigate. Corner businesses or one by a traffic light or stop sign is ideal to ensure you get lots of exposure.
3. Traffic should come at your business, so the road is bringing people to you, so facing a traffic intersection is great.
4. The flow of the interior whether it is a salon, a studio, a retail shop, or restaurant should have an easy flow.

Let’s break it down:

1. The front door is easily accessible and opens with ease
   1. Entering should feel welcoming and not awkward or confusing – are you walking into a glass wall in front of you? Are you seeing a restroom as soon as you enter? Having a landing space to get your cart, or hang your coat, or be greeted by someone is ideal.
   1. Greeters are people who acknowledge your potential client/ customer, and set them at ease, address their needs, and offer guidance on the establishment they are in. The entrance should be well lit, and not obstructed by non-essential stuff. Keep the area clean, neat, and uncluttered.
   1. For retail the flow should go from the right, cycling around racks until you reach the left front of the store where the check out is. The flow should feel easeful for any sized person, and be clearly labeled, priced, and accessible.
   1. The bathroom ideally is in the back of the building and clearly marked so customers can see it without asking.
   1. Cleanliness – this goes beyond the obvious of the business itself but to also include a spotless bathroom, a store-front that is also clean as far as the sidewalk and even your parking area if it applies.
2. Design – matching the kind of business this is with its associated element.     
   1. WOOD: Book store, stationary, publisher, news/magazine, florist, herbal supplements/CBD, drug store, programmer, grocery store, gardening/ plants, and wood supplier.  
      1. Design of the exterior building is any shade of green, a vertical tall, skyscraper building, well landscaped exterior with lush plantings, outdoor furniture that is wooden like a bench.
      1. Image: Flowers, trees, dragons, rabbits, or family themes
      1. Ideal facing directions to support your business are: North, South East, and East
   1. WATER: Retail sales, fish store, aquarium, seafood shop, boat sales, travel agency, ski resort, marina, movers, bar, tarot/psychic, tour guide, insurance, communication, swimming pool, and the beverage industry. 
      1. Design of the exterior building is any shade of blue or deep purple, a building with flowing lines, water feature or flowing banners, well landscaped exterior with lush plantings, outdoor furniture that is wooden or metal.
      1. Image: Water splash, a wave, fish, seashell, starfish, moon and stars, umbrella, or boats
      1. Ideal facing directions are: North West, West, or North.

• Metal: Jeweler, hardware, bank, accountant, law firm, martial arts, mechanic, car sales, tech industry, bus depot, train station, airport, government office, acupuncture, or pawn shop.
  • Design of the exterior building is white, black or gray, a building with arcs, arches, circular driveway or roundabout, also a building with reflective glass windows and metal structure, with a large metal sculpture out front that speaks to your line of work. Outdoor furniture that is metal.Images: Jewelry like a diamond, roosters, birds, dogs, military or government leader statue, or a clock.
  • Ideal facing directions are: South West, North West, or West.

• Earth: Hospital, healthcare or dental care, bakery, pottery, realtor, farmer, miner, crystal shop, hotel, daycare, butcher, renovator, architect/ engineer, construction, land management, yoga studio, massage/ body work, and dietician/nutritionist. 
  • Design of the exterior building is square, box store, any Earth shade like terracotta, peach, rust, tan, brown, yellow, or chamois. Well landscaped exterior with succulents, large stones or marble sculptures, marble building with columns, and outdoor furniture that is metal.
  • Images of: cows, sheep, ceramic sculpture, tractor,  image of health, mountains, cactus, cowboy hat, or sandcastle.
  • Ideal facing directions are: South or South West

• Fire: Hair/Nail salon, movie theater, restaurant, opera house, museum, anything having to do with the arts from a gallery to Broadway to movies to stage, and musicians like singers, designers/ fashion, fireworks, candles, beauty industry, life coaches/ motivational roles, electronics, oil/gas/ fossil fuels, gas station, decorators, lighting, toys, factories, management, fire department, psychiatry/therapy/social services, and horse industry whether a horse racing establishment or a stable for boarding.
  • Design of the exterior building is a triangular, peaked roof, neon lights, brick, any Fire color like red, violet, orange, hot pink, or a rainbow. Well landscaped exterior with lush plantings, big bright flowers, and outdoor wooden furniture.
  • Images: fireworks, sun, horses, happy children, bright abstract artwork, dancers, singers, actors, movie stars, and sunflowers.
  • Ideal facing directions are: South East, East, and South

For an office situation you want to ensure each employee is working in an area of the Ba-Gua that ensures that best supports their role.

Best Directions by Department:

1. South – planner, advertiser, marketer
2. South West – female boss, secretary, director, admin.
3. West – accountant, female staff
4. North West – male boss, director, manager
5. North – receptionist, consultant, personnel
6. North East – accountant, admin., realtor
7. East – advertiser, male staff
8. South East – sales person, director, another option for boss

Best Direction by Purpose:

1. South = area of creativity and planning
2. South West = Office, kitchen, storage
3. West = sales, cashier, accounting, reception
4. North West = decision making, control, boss
5. North = general area for employees/ staff
6. North East = storage, bathrooms, kitchen
7. East = implementation, place for boss of new business, creativity
8. South East = reputation, credibility, planning, sales

SCHEDULE your own Business Feng Shui Consult with Lydia Griffith – nitya@nityaliving.com to start the process of invigorating abundant chi into your work place.