Thought this email was kind of interesting and may be 'good reading' for your readers... Hi, My name is Rachel Van Schooneveld. I am an MBA student with the University of Phoenix and I am doing a market research paper on feng shui consultations. I am wondering if you would be willing to answer the questionnaire that I have provided to help me in my research. It has been very difficult to find any market research and feng shui so I have decided to go straight to the source, I have tried to get a hold of many consultants and schools by phone without much luck, so I am hoping that email will work better. If you prefer to talk with me in person or have any questions for me feel free to call me at XXXXX. I would appreciate any help that you are willing to provide. Thank you, Feng Shui Questionnaire

Q: How popular would you say Feng Shui is in your area?

ES: About 30% of New Yorkers have heard or read about Feng Shui, I guess.

Q: What is the market like?

ES: I think the market is PRIME for anything which will improve people's lives, health, wealth, relationships, careers, their own sense of ease & peace within themselves and in their homes.

Q: How many calls do you get per week/month for consultations?

ES: I get about 3-5 calls per month.

Q: From what general area?

ES: Well, general area?? I've given consultations of course in Manhattan, but I also go to Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx, & Staten Island. I travel to give consultations in Long Island, Upstate new York, New Jersey, Washington DC, and Florida too.

Q: What are the demographics of your typical customer…age, income, etc.

ES: The average age is 30's ( but range between 18 year olds to 65 year olds), I accommodate various income groups (only 5% are incomes over 100K, most earn between 14K & 35K) A lot of my clients have read a book or two on the Feng Shui Subject and become very confused because there are many 'schools of Feng Shui'=

You see Feng Shui is like the word 'Christianity'. As you know Christianity encompasses Catholics, Protestants, Baptists, Methodists, Pentecostals, etc etc. OK? Now, you know that Christianity's goal is to 'save souls'-but there are a bazillion ways of doing it. Some people sit some stand, some kneel. OK? Well, Feng Shui's goal is to 'cause harmony with the Universe'- and there are many ways to do that too. So when Feng Shui began about 3000 years ago, the information traveled far and wide and several adaptations on the theme became accepted. So, Feng Shui developed into the Black Hat Sect, the Yellow Hat Sect, the Form School, the Red hat Sect and the Compass school. What's the compass school, you ask? OK A long long time ago the Feng Shui Principles/Theories found their way in an area which had no Mountains, No Rivers and nothing upon which to get a sense of safety (The sense of Safety to which I'm referring is called the Commanding Position. This was based on how the warring factions of the Kingdoms/Emperors used strategies with their troops & generals. They used the mountains as a natural barrier-insurmountable to say the least especially in Tibet from whence this comes! So the Commanding position is the seat of power & control against the enemy. Basically "so you could see the door" or the way the enemy might enter!! You know Mafia guys NEVER SIT with their back to the door!!

They've been employing Feng Shui for years ha ha. Any way, In the barren plains of Northern China, they said what are we going to do without Mountains? They used the compass to tell them which direction was best AND THEY NEVER built a structure with any doors or windows opening to the North. Why? cuz the cold Mongolian winds would come down from the North & make everyone sick, unsuccessful and die. You see they didn't have central heating nor polar tec! So to this day ...according to the Compass school, no window or doors should face north!! I find it rather odd that no one adapted the ancient principles, and that's why I don't subscribe to the Compass school's theory, nor do I practice Compass school Feng Shui.I practice the Black Hat Sect which believes whichever way the door is, you shouldn't have your back to it!! Energetically it's not safe. So, if you can't move your desk, place a mirror in a position, like a car's rear view mirror, so you can see behind you=that's a Feng Shui cure!!

Q: What are the market trends regarding feng shui?

ES: I think Books and Articles are the most popular marketing Trend to educate the people. I've given lectures to women's groups, church groups and businesses.

Q: What is involved in a consultation? Methods and tools used, time…etc.

ES: Wow, big Question. Ok, let's see:

First I gather the Birthdates of the homeowner and spouse/ kids, before I go to the appointment. This helps me assess their 5 Element make-up according to the Chinese astrology (Western Astrology doesn't do it). The 5 Elements or qualities of the Stars you were born under state your basic personality traits or basic make up Example: if your 4 Pillar Chart says you are all Earth signs, most likely you will be fixed, stubborn, dry, non movable and hard. I never met any one like, that but just as an example I might suggest they have Water elements around or even metal objects to lessen the overplay of Earth. I know it sounds weird but when you study this for 6 years OR MORE, you'll understand. So I can cater the consultation to the individuals who occupy the space. Then I go to the site. I assess the energy flow, conduct an interview to check out what it is that the person called me to do( their wishes hope & dreams), Explain the Bagua map ( a tick-tack-toe kind-of map which based on the door where areas are. (areas such as Family & ancestry, Wealth, Fame& recognition, Relationships, Creativity & children, Helpful People & Travel, Career, and Knowledge & Self Cultivation). See Bagua on my website . I explain the five Elements and then walk around their space with an audio tape, recording what I see and asking questions about their things and their positions (like why they chose to place their bed that way?).

I make suggestions & recommendations for 'cures' to remedy ill situations & negative energy. I give them the two hour tape. I teach them the three secrets (how to empower a cure), invite questions and offer to "be there" by phone for free, whenever they have a query.

Q: How much do you charge for a consultation for home/business?Homes?

ES: I charge minimum of $414.00 and businesses a minimum of $540.00. For way small spaces like studio apartments I only charge the hourly rate of $207.00. Do these numbers seem Odd? Well, they all add up to 9. A very special and auspicious number in MANY cultures. One of my teachers charges $900.00 per session.

Q: What type of technology do you use?

ES: Personally I don't need to use meters to assess the negative vibes because fortunately I am very energetically aware and have honed my skills to be "pretty right on". So I don't use technology...unless you count the computer by which we may correspond or the phone lines?

Q: Who would you say your main competitors are?

ES: Actually, I have no competition because I am so unique, who could compare? I support all my fellow students who cause harmony with the universe. Would you ask a priest who is his competition?

Q: What are your strengths and weaknesses in comparison?

ES: By comparison, I might say that My expertise is my compassion=unparalleled. and My weakness is my years in the field- I'm only 6 years old! Others have been practicing longer=With years of practice, usually comes wisdom, I learn every day!

Q: Do you work in conjunction with any interior designers or realtors?

ES: Not so far. Although based on my past performances I am highly recommended.

Q: What are your keys to success?

ES: Prayer, constantly using the Buddhist prayers before a consultation and basically I pray upon waking, before sleeping, eating, washing, while gardening, while waiting in line, in an elevator, when I drive a car, when I travel.

Q: What are ways in which you advertise?

ES: Word of Mouth is the best, Print ads, Internet, Articles,& the benevolence of the Gods!

Q: Do you consult on a full or part time basis?

ES: Full time, but I don't work 8 hours a day every day. When appointments are made I do my best.

I appreciate your help with any answers you may have to these questions. I know these are not the most exciting questions...market research is not the most exciting, that is why I tried to pick an interesting topic! Thanks again. Rachel Van Schooneveld

from Evelyn Seed

Feng Shui Seed