Malvern Small Business Spotlight: Feng Shui Gourds

There’s a story lurking behind the glass pane of every shop, and there’s oftentimes an innovative individual whose entrepreneurial spirit is helping to shape the town.

Our small business series shines a light on local business owners in the community.

Business name: Feng Shui Gourds

Owner: Stephanie Wong

Address: 23 Fetters Mill Drive, Malvern

Website: Feng Shui Gourds

How did you come up with the name?

Feng (Wind) Shui (Water) Gourds This is translation from Chinese to English, symbolizing balance. Placing a Feng Shui Gourd in a section of the home will give good energy.

Why start a business in this town?

My family has lived here in Malvern for 15 years, and I feel Malvern that is the best combination
of open lands with good people. Both my kids are students in the Great Valley School District.

What business are you in ?

Hand crafting Feng Shui Gourds – My customers use Gourds for balancing energy for their homes
and businesses. Many already consulted with Feng Shui Professionals. I also make handcrafted and hand painted Bird Houses, of all Shapes, to hang outside for birds to make their nests and stay warm.

What's the most difficult challenge you've face as a business owner?

Handling the heavy power drills, Jig saws, and wood burning pens to carve out artistic details and various images on the gourd’s round surfaces. I get cuts a lot from the operating the drill. Since the gourd is round shape its hard to operate the power drill and many time it breaks easy.

What's been your proudest achievement since opening?

I am most proud of being able to balance staying at home with two teenagers and dedicating my time and effort to develop my artistic work. Many tell me after placing the feng shui gourd in their home, they had the best sleep of their lives.

How does your business give back to the community?

Some of my custom gourds are given to teachers and displayed at some of the Great Valley Schools at the front desk area as a Welcome center piece artwork. Additionally, I have been volunteering with the Great Valley Middle School Roman Market for over 5 years. I crafted my gourds with Latin/Roman culture art to sell at the Market each year. All proceeds go back to the Latin Club. My daughter Kelsea, a senior at Great Valley HS, holds fundraising workshops at our home for Elementary Schoolers where the kids would pick out and paint gourd Bird Houses. I donate my gourds to her workshop and all money rise donated to the March of Dimes Charity. The kids take the finished birdhouse home.