Mei Xu
Mei Xu | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 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.[citation needed]
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
[edit]- Forbes Magazine’s “Outstanding Women Over 50 with Vision Award” (2021)
- Forbes Magazine’s “60 Most Outstanding Chinese in North America” Award (2021)
- Politico’s “Woman of Impact” Award (2019)
- Inc. Magazine’s “America’s Fastest-Growing Companies in 2000 and 2001” award
Early life and education
[edit]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
[edit]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]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c McCormick, Gabriele (March 2011). "How Mei Xu Found Her Bliss". Bethesda Magazine. Retrieved November 10, 2017.
- ^ a b c Heath, Thomas (October 16, 2016). "Immigrant from China turns a stroll through Bloomingdale's into a $60 million business". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 10, 2017.
- ^ "What is Recandle?". Blueme. Retrieved 2024-06-05.
- ^ a b c d e Wanxia, Lin (March 13, 2017). "Burning Bright". Asia Times. Retrieved November 10, 2017.
- ^ a b c d Gilgore, Sara (September 9, 2016). "Mei Xu (Video)". Washington Business Journal. Retrieved November 10, 2017.
- ^ Kim, Kathleen (October 24, 2012). "Mei Xu: Crossing Borders With Chesapeake Bay Candle". Inc. Retrieved November 10, 2017.
- ^ "Immigrant Entrepreneur Hall of Fame: Mei Xu". The Immigrant Learning Center. August 2014. Retrieved November 21, 2017.
- ^ Hinders, Dana. "Chesapeake Bay Candle: Interview with Mei Xu". LoveToKnow. Retrieved November 10, 2017.
- ^ Farazad, Roshan (November 19, 2010). "Gift Guide: Classic Candles". Washington Life. Retrieved November 10, 2017.
- ^ Dickenson, Susan (December 1, 2007). "Portrait: Mei Xu, Blissliving Home and Chesapeake Candle". Home Accents Today. Retrieved November 10, 2017.
- ^ Yoon, Kate (February 7, 2014). "Cardin tours Chesapeake Bay Candle in Glen Burnie". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 10, 2017.
- ^ Hutzell, Rick (September 7, 2017). "New Jersey company buys Chesapeake Bay Candle for $75 million". Capital Gazette. Retrieved November 21, 2017.
- ^ Munshaw, Jonathan (September 7, 2017). "Newell Brands to buy Chesapeake Bay Candle for $75M". Baltimore Business Journal. Retrieved November 21, 2017.
- ^ "Mei Xu < The Immigrant Learning Center". The Immigrant Learning Center. Retrieved 2024-06-05.