By Al Parker
TRAVERSE CITY -- Shea Bonhag got the inspiration for his own business, Amegawood, during a work-related trip to Thailand.
A former consultant for Sun Microsystems, Bonhag fell in love with the craftsmanship behind hand-carved teak furnishings he saw in the Southeast Asian nation. He decided to pursue a dream of importing the durable and beautiful furniture to the United States and, after consulting a furniture designer, launched a company that he named after his daughter, Megan.
Amegawood customers can enjoy the distinctive line of hand-carved exotic hardwood home furnishings, including a selection of chairs, benches, tables, umbrellas and cushions. Clients can select custom patterns or have their name or initials engraved on the pieces. The works are crafted in the Chiang Mai region in northwest Thailand, famed as the woodcarving center of the country.
"These are the finest teak furnishings you will find," said Bonhag. "The combination of teak beauty and durability, along with the centuries-old trade of Thai woodcarving and modern quality control produces superior products."
One of Amegawood's newest products is a line of floor tiles that use plastic interlocking grids topped by durable teak patterns. They've received orders from across the country for the popular flooring product.
Amegawood has been "growing slowly," said Bonhag, who distributes his products through a team of eight distributors across the country. He also reaches customers and sells through the company's Web site at www.amegawood.com.
Teak has long been recognized as a premiere hardwood for home and outdoor furnishings because of its natural beauty and weather resistance. Teak furniture can last up to 75 years outdoors with minimal care.
Amegawood teak isn't from a rainforest, but from a certified teak plantation.
Ever since he launched his first business at 13, Bonhag has had an entrepreneurial spirit.
"At 13 I was impatient to get a work permit," said Bonhag, who grew up in New Jersey. "I bought a floor polisher and started my own floor polishing company. We did homes and companies."
Later he became an oral surgeon, taught at Duke University, held several government jobs, worked as a project manager and ran his own consulting business. He and his wife, Michele, moved to Traverse City in 1999.
About Amegawood
Address: 7348 Maple Terrace, Traverse City
Phone: (231) 932-6735
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Employees: 4
Years in business: 5
In Business is a weekly feature on northern Michigan businesses. Next week: Custom Concrete Graphics.
