Feng Shui is guiding Dawn into new start

Published in Sentinel, April 2008

Flamboyant entrepreneur Dawn Gibbins sold her global business empire to concentrate on transforming Britain with Feng Shui.

The owner of Sandbach flooring manufacturer Flowcrete is used to grabbing the headlines – and this latest move by the 49 year old will do little to lower her profile.

As revealed in later editions of yesterday’s Sentinel, the firm has been sold for an undisclosed sum to US giant RPM International.

Now Ms Gibbins, has been talking about her plans to make the world a better place through Feng Shui – the ancient Chinese belief that building design and layout can help channel beneficial natural energies.

Earlier this year, Ms Gibbins told the North Staffordshire magazine, it was her dream to “make Britain a happy, healthy and prosperous nation with Feng Shui”.

Now she is going to set up a not-for-profit company to promote Feng Shui in people’s homes and workplaces.

Ms Gibbins said “I’ve met many people – men and women – who already use Feng Shui in their businesses.

“It’s all about positive thinking and associating images with what we want to happen in our lives”.

“I haven’t given the new company a name yet, because I’m still feeling quite emotional about selling the company I’ve been involved with for 30 years”.

“Feng Shui is about surrounding yourself with beautiful things in a healthy and positive environment, and removing all the clutter”.

“If we can educate people to get rid of the clutter in their homes and businesses, we will all be very happy”.

“Flowcrete’s sales improved because we did just that – and everyone felt very fresh, bright and passionate”.

Ms Gibbins is also setting up Barefoot Living, a company which will supply designer seamless floors to homes.

She said “It’s quite scary because I’ve never been in the consumer market before.  It’s like I’m going back 25 years and starting again”.

“This will be my holding company and I’ll be starting with a pilot scheme in Cheshire”.

“It’s all about bringing the outside in, with beautiful seamless stone carpets for conservatories, patios and bars which create a great natural feel”.

Since Ms Gibbins set up Flowcrete with her father in 1982, it has grown to employ 350 people in 30 offices and 12 factories across the world.

In 2007 Flowcrete recorded record sales of £44million – a 24 per cent increase on 2006.

Editor's note: Inspirational, motivational speaker dawn gibbins can be contacted at dawn@dawngibbins.com