Tianhao Xu
Tianhao Xu
Welcome to Tim Xu's World
I am a high school entrepreneur with a deep passion for sustainable business practices and social impact. As the founder of Rooted Treasure, I am committed to empowering artisans by connecting their handcrafted creations directly to global markets, while preserving cultural heritage. Through my entrepreneurial journey, I have gained valuable experience through programs like Wharton Global Youth and Pioneer Academics, where I have developed business models that prioritize sustainability and community empowerment.
I have conducted extensive research on the global handcraft industry, particularly focusing on regions such as Nepal, Southeast Asia, and Africa, where traditional crafts face challenges of market access, pricing, and cultural preservation. By creating innovative platforms, I aim to break down the barriers that middlemen create and help artisans gain fair compensation for their work. My mission is to not only boost economic opportunities for these artisans but also ensure that their unique cultural stories are told and appreciated around the world.
I am eager to connect with other entrepreneurs, professionals, and changemakers who share my passion for building businesses that drive both innovation and positive social impact across borders.
Rooted Treasure
Rooted Treasures is a social enterprise dedicated to bridging the gap between artisans from underdeveloped regions and global customers. By showcasing the unique stories, cultural heritage, and craftsmanship behind each handmade piece, we aim to create a sustainable platform that empowers artisans economically while promoting cultural preservation. Our mission is to celebrate the beauty of traditional crafts and ensure their legacy endures for generations.
根源珍宝是一家致力于连接欠发达地区手工艺人与全球客户的社会企业。通过展示每件手工艺品背后的独特故事、文化传承和精湛技艺，我们旨在打造一个可持续的平台，帮助手工艺者实现经济赋能，同时推动文化保护与传承。我们的使命是弘扬传统工艺的美，确保其世代相传。
About Me
Meet Tianhao Xu
A high school student with an entrepreneurial mind, a heart for global exploration, and a growing vision: to use business not just as a tool for commerce, but as a bridge between the tangible and the intangible—between material wealth and spiritual richness, modern markets and ancient meaning.
Born “缺金” (lacking metal in the Five Elements theory), I grew up surrounded by symbols, rituals, and quiet signs that people seek to make sense of fortune, fate, and energy. Whether it was the way my family approached business, the role of luck in a game of mahjong, or the golden charms worn at significant life events, I began to realize that economics is never just about numbers—it is always shaped by belief.
As I traveled to different parts of the world, I developed a love for small objects with big stories: handmade jewelry, symbolic metalwork, tiny protective tokens. Some were worn for good luck, others for status, heritage, or faith. I started collecting these not only as souvenirs, but as artifacts of culture, economy, and human need. The more I traveled, the more I saw a pattern: highly skilled artisans in underdeveloped regions producing work rich in meaning and craftsmanship—yet disconnected from global markets that crave authenticity, spirituality, and cultural depth.
That’s where my vision began.
I believe in a kind of business that honors both civilization and culture, both profit and purpose. Business becomes meaningful when it respects heritage, channels creative energy, and uplifts those whose stories are embedded in their craft. What I want to build is a platform that connects high-net-worth individuals—those seeking not just luxury, but legacy—with artisans rooted in local traditions, especially in the realm of spiritual and symbolic handcrafts: items that carry not just material value, but energetic significance.
This is what I call 命理经济 (Destiny-based Economy)—an emerging idea where spiritual symbolism and market needs intersect. In a world chasing speed and scale, I choose to focus on precision and presence. Through thoughtful sourcing, transparent partnerships, and a respect for both the mystical and the modern, I want to revive the soul of craftsmanship in a globalized age.
For me, business is not just a career path. It is a form of storytelling, an act of preservation, and a tool to bring balance between what we own and what we believe. In the end, I’m building more than a brand—I’m building a philosophy, one that aligns the spiritual architecture of the past with the economic realities of the present.