Meet Jennifer Stone | IFSA Accredited Feng Shui Master

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jennifer Stone and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jennifer, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I had been working a corporate job as a forensic and financial auditor for 12+ years. While I was great at what I did and enjoyed success, I was yearning for something radically different. I wanted autonomy and full creative freedom. But at the time, I didn’t have a clear vision of what that looked like, so I focused on what I DID enjoy. Mainly, I knew I wanted to help people. I wanted to bring joy to the world by elevating people’s lives in a way that felt authentic and constructive.

It took me over two years to gain clarity on what I wanted to do for my entrepreneurial life. Meanwhile, I took classes and workshops on subjects that I thought I might enjoy and was curious about, read books, and tried a plethora of new things to spark inspiration and a new way of thinking and being.

Most people often feel anxious and impatient when their path isn’t well defined, but I encourage people to leverage that time to experiment and discover new and different things that they otherwise wouldn’t have tried, and focus on the things that you DO enjoy. For me, with every new thing I tried, I always went back to the main question, “How does this help people?” “How does this bring joy to the world?”

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
About the Business/Founder:

Feng Shui by Jen is a service firm that provides Classical Feng Shui services to residential and commercial spaces since 2013. This also includes 1:1 coaching session using BaZi, an ancient form of Chinese Astrology or Chinese Destiny Reading.

While primarily based in Scottsdale, AZ, we also represent the prestigious Raymond Lo School of Feng Shui & Destiny offering certification courses to students in Arizona, California, Florida, New York, Canada, UAE, Japan, and Singapore.

Jen is the first and only IFSA Accredited Feng Shui Master in North America, a title conferred to her in 2016 by the International Feng Shui Association, a formal governing body of the industry overseen by Grand Masters Raymond Lo, Dr. Stephen Skinner, Tan Khoon Yong, and Vincent Koh. She was also hand-selected by Grand Master Raymond Lo to apprentice with him in Hong Kong, teaching her everything she knows.

She is a published author, freelance editor, and former publisher of the popular magazine, The Feng Shui Journal, which was distributed in five continents from 2018-2021.

She has appeared on numerous platforms including on television, podcasts, in print, is a sought-after speaker for industry conferences and mastermind classes where she educates and debunks common misconceptions. Her debut book, The First Guidebook for Feng Shui Enthusiast, was published in 2014 and is available on Amazon.

Success of Business:

I don’t believe anyone can get anywhere without the support and encouragement of others. My teacher, Grand Master Raymond Lo, once said, “Anyone can get famous. But reputation takes time and great care. Your reputation will outlive your fame.” It’s true. While social media is a great platform to leverage business exposure, nothing beats clients’ word-of-mouth. There is powerful behind someone’s personal testimony that cannot be replaced with an online advertisement.

These connections are nurtured carefully and diligently with mastering your craft first, so you provide the best service experience. You have to embody what you are offering because people see right through you. If you don’t believe in your work, you can’t expect others to do the same and compensate you for it. People can get on board with what you are offering if they see your sincerity, care, and heart. It’s what sets apart small businesses from generic big brands. The 1:1 curated experience that leave a person feeling more confident and reassured and to know that what you have to offer is valuable.

Lessons:

It’s easy to get burned out, especially in the start-up phase of the business. When you work for yourself, you don’t see a beginning or an end. I think most of us learn this after we’ve gone through it once (or twice) to know our own limits and to know where to draw boundaries. Passion is not enough to keep a business sustainable but it certainly does jump-start a lot of the work upfront. You have to be invested in every way, all along the journey of your business. It’s okay not to scale quickly, especially when you are doing a lot of things on your own. One thing you learn is that most of the time you will be wearing multiple hats doing accounting, bookkeeping, taxes, marketing, creative direction, administration, etc. But overtime, you must find ways to streamline your business so that you are more productive with your time and less consumed by the mundane tasks that can be delegated.

For the World:

I’d hope to be remembered that I love what I do and I have made a difference in people’s lives by teaching them to see themselves and their spaces with more beauty and intention. And that they learn to recognize the seasons of life by appreciating the inner workings of the Five Elements. And that I deeply care about every single person that I got to meet, wherever they are in their journey.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’m a big fan of outdoor activities especially when the weather is stellar in Arizona. First, I’d take them to Sedona to hike at some of my favorite trails. Depending on their level of activity, I have specific trails for easy, 2-mile hikes to 10+ mile trek near the Oak Creek Canyon. In Sedona, we would indulge on some great dishes at Mariposa and enjoy the magnificent views right at sunset. Then, I’d take them into the Canyon in W. Sedona to catch the night sky and witness the awe-inspiring display of the Milky Way and excellent show of shooting stars. The next morning, we’d catch a healthy breakfast at Local Juicery and maybe hit up at Pilates class at Sultivate.

Driving up to see the Grand Canyon is a must since that is one of the seven wonders of the world! Up that way, do a ghost tour in Jerome, or hit Flagstaff’s downtown district to walk around and check out the sights, chase fall colors of the Aspen trees, etc.

Back in the Valley, there are so many fun eateries to check out: Breakfast/Brunch at The Henry, LGO, Amelia’s by Eat, Toasted Owl Cafe, Arcadia Farms, Little Snitch, Valentine; Lunch at Great Wall Cuisine, Pizzeria Piano, The Mission Kierland, Persian Room, Tia Carmen. Dinner is plentiful at Vecina, Buck & Rider, Pyro, Sake Haus, Uchi, Pala, Ocotillo, Grassroots, Kembara. Pre or Post dinner drinks: Wrigley Mansion, Tell Your Friends, The Global Ambassador, Little Rituals,

If it’s springtime, hitting a Cubs spring training game is a must! The Desert Botanical Garden is always a beautiful spot to stroll and appreciate the desert landscape. We could hit the trails at Pinnacle Peak or Piestewa or Echo Canyon. Walk around Temple Marketplace during a spring or early summer festival. The Aloha Festival is one of my favorites. Outdoor shopping at Kierland Scottsdale Quarter is also fun. Check out and explore the Boyce Thompson Arboretum in Superior or catch a tour at Taliesin West for Frank Lloyd Wright’s designs and Acrosanti.

I love hitting shows at popular venues such as Phoenix Theater, Stand Up Live!, Orpheum, Arizona Theatre Company, Marquee Theater, and the Talking Sticks Amphitheater for plays, musicals, performances, and concerts.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First, I want to thank my teacher, Grand Master Raymond Lo (Hong Kong) for choosing me to be his apprentice and taught me everything I know. I’m forever grateful for his confidence to continue his legacy while building my own.

When my business first launched, I couldn’t have done it without the support of my Gopi Sisters at Cattletrack Ranch: Dusti VanTilborg (Heartfelt Therapies), Lindsey Smith Campbell (Au Natural Wellness & Yoga), and Logan Ax (Silver & Sage Jewelry). These women supported my business when it was at its infancy with their referrals, trust, and community.

To my best friends who walked beside me during that giant leap from corporate to entrepreneurship when everyone else thought I was crazy: Karen Moore, Summer Warner, Carrie Snider, Kim DiNino, Dan Churchill, Lori Newcomb.

All my clients and students who have entrusted their most intimate and heartfelt dreams and fears. It’s a privilege to walk with you on your journey. Thank you for trusting me.

Finally, with God’s grace and love, I’m blessed with everything in my life.

Website: https://fengshuibyjen.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fengshuibyjen

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jnicomedes/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FengShuibyJen9988

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@FengShuibyJenScottsdale