by Kathryn Weber
Working with clients, companies, homeowners and readers for as long as I have, there are a number of questions that I’m asked about working with clients and their feng shui. These are some of the most common questions that I’ve been asked over the years.
Who is your favorite kind of client?
I have two favorites. One of my favorites is the motivated client. This person really wants to make a change in their life, and they want some guidance and direction, and are eager to learn ways they can improve their home and lives. These clients are ready and willing to repaint a door, take down a dead tree or whatever it takes to get their life unstuck or to create a positive change.
My other favorite is the challenged client. These are the ones that are struck by something terrible, like a fire, cancer, or other sudden loss. One client I worked with had a home that I fear could bring cancer or other type of harm to her head. She ended up a month after the consult finding out she had a tumor in her brain. But, we worked through how to help her, and she is doing well.
Another client had a daughter with advanced pancreatic cancer — and they jumped on her feng shui immediately. Today she is thriving. Yet another had a home where two miscarriages had occurred. It turned out that the bed was placed over a stove downstairs. Today, she’s a happy mom with a beautiful little girl. These truly are rewarding clients to work with.
Who is your least favorite client?
There are two of these for me as well. Can you tell I’m a Gemini? The first are what I call “fairy dust” clients.
These clients believe that I’ll tell them something magical to make a major change in their lives, but they usually don’t want to do anything or make a change. They want me to just talk about feng shui and that some how talking about their home or office will make the change. It doesn’t.
Advice is only as good as the advice you put into action. In fact, I’ve often said that sometimes you are your feng shui — because what you do can make all the difference. It doesn’t matter what I say or tell someone to do, if they don’t do it, if they’re unwilling, or in their hearts they really don’t want to make a change, everything is going to stay the same.
The other client is the one who loves their problems or enjoys being the victim or their difficult circumstances.
It’s true that there are those who are addicted to their suffering, anger, misery and may even enjoy picking at the scabs of their lives. They like to count their miseries, and they most certainly don’t want to make any significant change but yet they ask for help over and over. And some of them complain for years, decades even. It’s as though the problems are what they have and know, but that making a change represents the unknown and that’s simply too scary for them.
Do you take any client who comes to you?
I don’t. There are some clients who are in financial straits and I have a policy that if a consultation would cause them a financial hardship, then I won’t take the client. There are times, though, when I’ve taken clients who I know needed my help. Many times these are clients who write to me, or there are clients with children who are suffering, and that really tugs at my heart strings, like clients writing about their children being bullied.
I’m also not fond of taking gift certificate clients.
Many times people believe that if they buy a consultation for a friend or relative who needs feng shui, that I’ll be able to help them. The problem is that the family member or friend they bought the consult for has no skin in the game. In Reiki, this is called energy exchange. People value what they are invested in — they exchange something in order to put value on the advice they’re given. For that reason, I no longer take gift certificate clients.
Do you ever have a situation where another feng shui consultant has told your client something different than what you recommended?
Oh yes, that happens all the time! I always say that if what the other consultant recommended has worked, then why are they calling me? I also ask them if they thought the other consultant’s recommendations made sense. For instance, I’ve had rescue clients who were told to put jugs of water all over the house or hang crystals in every entryway.
One client told me she was charged $1000 per hour by one consultant who never thought to mention to this client that the violent picture of a girl with her heart ripped out by the front door (painted by this client’s own daughter), could be a reason for their financial problems. I’ve heard some wild stories about other consultants, so always get a good recommendation before booking an appointment.
Who’s your most difficult client?
A lot of times it’s the man of the house. They often resent how much money their wife has spent for a consultation, and I can almost hear their eyes rolling in their head. Here’s the funny thing though….once I mention the lack of sex or romance, I usually win them over in an instant.
I don’t always side with the woman of the house, but many men expect me too. Often times men are overlooked, and they’re the providers keeping a roof over everyone’s head. It’s vital that both the man and the woman are treated equally, and with a bit more respect given to whomever is the breadwinner. And sometimes that’s the woman, but mostly it’s the man of house.
What’s some advice you would give to someone thinking about a consultation with you?
Love this question! The first is to come with a problem you want to solve — and be willing to work with the recommendations, even if it means painting a room a different color. The other is to remember that a consultation is to fix a problem and improve your life.ย It’s okay to talk about your problems, even the personal ones. In fact, that’s when I can really help. I’ve heard it all, too…..sex addiction, drug addiction, alcoholism, over-spending, gambling, ADHD, mental illness. I’m not here to judge….just help.
What are the most common questions you’re asked about?
The most common questions are usually about money or romance. Most of the time people worry about money and security, and if that’s not their worry then love is their main concern. Health is another thing that clients ask about but not nearly as often as love or money. Children are another concern, and of course, that’s very understandable. But as someone with readers from all over the world, I’m constantly amazed by some of the questions that pop up — some really come out of left field. It’s always interesting to open my email inbox every morning.
What’s your favorite feng shui recommendation?
If I had to pick one, I’d say curb appeal. Work on the exterior appearance of your home. Realtors will agree that when your home looks good from the street, it can often sell itself! When your home has curb appeal, it looks well-maintained, the yard has nice landscaping, the front door looks attractive and polished — and is painted the productive color for the direction it faces. Having a well-landscaped, well-maintained and attractive home, no matter what size it is, will invite chi and opportunity to your life. Your front door is literally the cash register to your home and life, bringing money and opportunities to you! For that reason, I like a pretty exterior with nice lighting too.
