National Association of REALTORS®

Sponsored Content | Brand Spotlight Partner What's This?

How a Wellness Brand Built an Office Using Feng Shui and Numerology The founders of LA-based HUM Nutrition take office harmony and positivity very seriously.

Courtesy of HUM

When Walter Faulstroh and Chris Coleridge founded HUM Nutrition in 2012, they set out to purposefully incorporate harmony and positivity in what that they do—everything from their brightly colored vitamins and supplements, to their office space.

Faulstroh and Coleridge started out in a 200-square-foot property located at 8228 Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles. The space is centrally located in the area, making it easy for employees to get to work and for in-office meetings with influencers and other clients, Faulstroh says. But that's not the only reason they were excited about this particular location.

"We were drawn to the 8s and 2s. According to Chinese culture and numerology, both are extremely lucky numbers," he explains. "Eight brings fortune while two brings blessings."

Not only were the numbers significant; it also was important to Faulstroh and Coleridge to create positive energy for employees. They designed the workplace using principles of feng shui—the Chinese system that many believe govern spatial arrangement as it relates to energy.

Image Credit: Courtesy of HUM


"There's something called a bagua map that tells you how to optimally arrange a space for energy flow," Faulstroh says. "Every employee has good natural light at their desk and we like to keep the place uncluttered."

An expanding office with a holistic mindset.

As HUM's popularity grew and more employees were hired, Faulstroh and Coleridge cobbled together different suites on their floor to create one larger space. "We are lucky to have a building that offered us flexibility to incrementally add about 5,000 square feet," Faulstroh says. Today, HUM—a beauty nutrition company of vitamins, supplements and powders—has 30 employees and its office includes a separate 10,000-square-foot space for fulfillment.

"Our needs have become very specific, which is why we recommend working with an agent that has a pulse on the real-estate market," Faulstroh says. "Good property moves fast."

A Realtor®, a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of Realtors®, is intimately familiar with his or her market. They can recommend commercial properties that business owners might not have otherwise known was even available.

Occupying more space, Faulstroh and Coleridge remain equally as dedicated as they were on day one to stick to their office design. Faulstroh says they use bright colors like purple and gold throughout the office for energy balancing. Just like how colors can influence marketing, they are said to be able to affect the mood and energy of rooms and buildings.

As the HUM brand continues to grow, Faulstroh and Coleridge expect to work with an agent to find additional space that meets their holistic approach. "A floor plan following feng shui is important," Faulstroh says, "along with natural light for everyone and a good place for our lucky cat, which we place very strategically!"

A Realtor®—a member of the National Association of Realtors®—can help you find the right place to grow your business.