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

Hi Wenting, do you have a budget? How do you make lifestyle and spending decisions?
I started Refinement House in an extra room of a bungalow I was renting in 2017. Unlike many start-ups that have initial investor funding, or pursuing those million-dollar venture capital money – I literally started off with less than $300 worth of inventory, most of which were my personal collection of vintage finds, and started an Etsy shop. The eco home goods side of the business started when I purchased in bulk some practical, reusable gift sets for my friends since I wanted to stop giving out presents wrapped in plastic, made of plastic, and considered seasonal. The initial investment for that was less than $50 on a few bamboo toothbrushes and stainless steel straws. At that point, I still did not have a full vision is what this refined home would be, I just knew I loved to host and wanted to continue to share my lifestyle and space with others. The more I fell into living a slow and sustainable life, the more money I actually saved. The items that I acquired were made with quality materials, they lasted longer, and were also in harmony with our environment. Then at the end of 2018, I made a personal commitment to no longer buy any new articles of clothing and see how long I can hold out for. To this day, I still have not purchased any new clothes and that concept has trickled into almost everything I buy. Other than food and occasional plants, I rarely buy new anymore. If I do, I make a point to do it in bulk, support local businesses, and see if there are alternative options first such as second hand, making my own, or borrowing. By living a more eco-friendly lifestyle, not only has it saved me tons of money, it’s also allowed me to grow as a more curious human being on learning and sharing with others a new way of consumerism.

What should our readers know about your business?
At Refinement House, our mission is to influence a lifestyle, complete with movement and colors, that fuels the soul without harming the planet. We are Houston’s first eco-conscious shop + bulk refills. We offer everyday items with an eco twist. Every product is mindfully curated and evaluated on its natural ingredients, functionality, packaging design, and overall quality. In our Eco Home, we pride ourselves in offering accessible and affordable eco swaps for the kitchen, bathroom, body care, on the go, and general reusable goods. Not to mention, we are also huge plant lovers! We house a green oasis and would love to teach you now to bring nature into your space as well. What makes us different: we truly believe in leading by example. Aside from our eco shop, we also engage with the local community through meet-ups, eco panels, workshops, volunteering, and even a monthly newsletter. We offer ways for our guests to actively participate in the journey to a less wasteful, slow living lifestyle.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would definitely take them on a tour of my favorite cafes and plant nurseries around town. A few coffee shops to check out: tenfold coffee company, 2nd cup coffee, Brass Tacks, to name a few. Top favorite plant places: Joshua’s Native Plants, Another place in time, Buchanan’s. Places to go for a nice long walk and be in nature: memorial park & hermann hidden gem and most favorite place to have a picnic, photoshoots, or just lay in the sun: the menil collection and surrounding grounds.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There’s been a number of organizations that I admire within the Houston community. Starting with a coffee shop + retail space dedicated to fighting human trafficking, 2nd Cup Coffee. I learned about their mission and nonprofit efforts when we started to partner together for their monthly 11th street market. They are a company founded on a mission to better the lives of others and bringing awareness to the human trafficking crisis in Houston. Their team is also responsible for supporting local artisans in expanding their reach by operating a thoughtfully curated indoor and outdoor market. Another organization that I love is Central City Co-Op. They are the oldest running indoor farmers market in Houston and work with many local farmers in the surrounding areas to bring fresh produce, meat, beverage, and other goodies in the form of a food share. I volunteered with them and helped with putting together the weekly shares and got to learn firsthand what it means to grow your own food!

Website: www.refinementhouse.com

Instagram: instagram.com/refinementhouse

Linkedin: refinementhouse

Facebook: facebook.com/refinementhouse

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutHTX is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.