Chinese art gives business a boost
By Marion Bond
Re-published with permission from Reno Gazette-Journal - September 2007
When Harrah Brown became fascinated with feng shui, the Reno single mother of four
was driven to find a way to share these benefits with family and friends.
To learn about feng shui -- the Chinese art of placement of items within a home
to bring about and create positive change in one's life -- and get her business
going, she traveled to China twice: to attend a housewares trade show and to study
feng shui with a Chinese master and learn more about the culture.
"I really got into it. Or it got into me," she said.
Today, after just two years in business, Brown has held more than 135 home parties
in Reno, and has consulted with numerous clients in the art of feng shui for the
home. And she launched a catalog featuring the items offered through At Home With
harrah. She buys products made in China, the U.S., and the Philippines.
"The most popular items are the hanging crystals," said Brown. "They are so beautiful.
They shoot their rainbow colors throughout the room."
Brown said that the idea is that each product and its placement in the home is a
means of reminding someone why it was put there. It should be an inspiration for
creating a positive change in the life of the individual.
Mike and Linda Humphrey were selling their home, and their real estate agent Valerie
Van Antwerp of Dickson Realty offered to have Brown come in to offer some tips related
to feng shui.
Brown suggested they put an angel by the front door. Linda Humphrey thought that
was kind of an odd idea, but she accidentally discovered an angel planter buried
in the back yard, left by the previous owner.
She cleaned it up, put it by the front door, and the house sold in less than a week
for exactly what they wanted.
Private consultations with Brown are another feature of the business -- such as reviews for real estate transactions to help sellers enhance their home. She also does consultations for personal residences, and offices.