Mei Xu Explained

Mei Xu
Birth Place:Hangzhou, China
Education:Master's in Journalism
Alma Mater:University of Maryland
Occupation:Entrepreneur
Known For:Founder and CEO of Pacific Trade International

Mei Xu is a Chinese-American businesswoman who founded Pacific Trade International and its subsidiary, Chesapeake Bay Candle. Xu stepped down in November 2018 as CEO of Chesapeake Bay Candle.[1] [2] She is the CEO of Mei Xu & Co. LLC and its online platform, YesSheMay.com, a community and marketplace for women entrepreneurs.

With her innovative style and passion for fragrance, she launched Blueme, a sustainable[3] functional fragrance brand, in 2023 at department stores such as Bloomingdale’s and Saks Fifth Avenue.

Awards

Early life and education

Xu grew up in Hangzhou, China. At the age of 12, she was among 80 children selected to be trained as a future diplomat and was sent to study at the Hangzhou Foreign Language School.[4] After graduation, she attended Beijing Foreign Studies University. While there, she worked as a part-time project manager for the World Bank. She graduated in 1989 with a BA in American studies.[5] [6] In response to the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989, the Chinese government assigned menial jobs to many youths. Xu was assigned to track mineral deliveries at a warehouse in Dalian.[1] [4] [7] Frustrated with the work, Xu quit and would eventually move to the United States to study journalism at the University of Maryland. She earned a master's degree in the subject. After graduation, she hoped to return to work for the World Bank, but was thwarted by a hiring freeze.[4] [5]

Career

Xu first found a job at a medical company in New York City.[5] She would then return to Annapolis, Maryland, in 1994, co-founding (with her then husband, David Wang) Pacific Trade International, a candle and home decor company.[4] [8] She was initially inspired to create the company because of her frequent walk-throughs of a local Bloomingdale's in New York.[2] In its first year of operation, Pacific Trade International earned $500,000.[5]

Xu and Wang would experiment with candle-making in their home with wax poured into soup cans, ultimately creating the company's flagship brand, Chesapeake Bay Candle.[2] [9] In 1995, Xu's sister opened a factory in Hangzhou to manufacture the candles.[4]

In 2005, Xu founded an interior lifestyle brand, Blissliving Home. Two years later, the Asian Women in Business organization honored her with their Entrepreneurial Leadership Award.[10] In 2011, Xu opened another production and distribution facility in Glen Burnie, Maryland. In 2014, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin toured that facility.[1] [11] In September 2017, it was announced that New Jersey company Newell Brands had acquired Chesapeake Bay Candle for $75 million. Pacific Trade International was not included in the deal, and Xu remained CEO of that company.[12] [13] She stepped down in 2018.

Mei participated in the White House In-Sourcing American Jobs Forum 2011 hosted by President Obama and Vice President Biden, among dozens of CEOs, such as Ford and Intel.[14]

Notes and References

  1. News: McCormick. Gabriele. How Mei Xu Found Her Bliss. Bethesda Magazine . March 2011. November 10, 2017.
  2. News: Heath. Thomas. Immigrant from China turns a stroll through Bloomingdale's into a $60 million business. The Washington Post. October 16, 2016. November 10, 2017.
  3. Web site: What is Recandle? . 2024-06-05 . Blueme . en.
  4. News: Wanxia. Lin. Burning Bright. Asia Times. March 13, 2017. November 10, 2017.
  5. News: Gilgore. Sara. Mei Xu (Video). Washington Business Journal. September 9, 2016. November 10, 2017.
  6. Kim. Kathleen. Mei Xu: Crossing Borders With Chesapeake Bay Candle. Inc.. October 24, 2012. November 10, 2017.
  7. News: Immigrant Entrepreneur Hall of Fame: Mei Xu. The Immigrant Learning Center. August 2014. November 21, 2017.
  8. News: Hinders. Dana. Chesapeake Bay Candle: Interview with Mei Xu. LoveToKnow. November 10, 2017.
  9. News: Farazad. Roshan. Gift Guide: Classic Candles. Washington Life. November 19, 2010. November 10, 2017.
  10. News: Dickenson. Susan. Portrait: Mei Xu, Blissliving Home and Chesapeake Candle. Home Accents Today. December 1, 2007. November 10, 2017.
  11. News: Yoon. Kate. Cardin tours Chesapeake Bay Candle in Glen Burnie. Baltimore Sun. February 7, 2014. November 10, 2017.
  12. News: Hutzell. Rick. New Jersey company buys Chesapeake Bay Candle for $75 million. Capital Gazette. September 7, 2017. November 21, 2017.
  13. News: Munshaw. Jonathan. Newell Brands to buy Chesapeake Bay Candle for $75M. Baltimore Business Journal. September 7, 2017. November 21, 2017.
  14. Web site: Mei Xu < The Immigrant Learning Center . 2024-06-05 . The Immigrant Learning Center . en-US.