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{{short description|Chinese-American businesswoman}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Mei Xu
| name = Mei Xu
| image =
| image = Mei_Xu_2024.jpg
| image_size =
| image_size =
| alt =
| alt =
| caption =
| caption =
| birth_date = <!-- {{Birth date and age|YYYY|MM|DD}} -->
| birth_date = <!-- {{Birth date and age|YYYY|MM|DD}} -->
| birth_place = [[Hangzhou]], [[China]]
| birth_place = [[Hangzhou]], China
| nationality =
| residence = [[Bethesda, Maryland|Bethesda]], [[Maryland]]
| nationality =
| education = [[Master's degree|Master's]] in [[Journalism]]
⚫
| alma_mater = [[University of Maryland]]
| ethnicity = <!-- Ethnicity should be supported with a citation from a reliable source -->
| education = [[Master's degree|Master's]] in [[Journalism]]
| occupation = [[Entrepreneurship|Entrepreneur]]
| years_active =
⚫
| alma_mater = [[University of Maryland]]
| occupation = [[Entrepreneurship|Entrepreneur]]
| employer =
| years_active =
| organization =
| employer =
| known_for = Founder and [[CEO]] of Pacific Trade International
| organization =
| spouse =
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| partner = <!-- unmarried life partner; use ''Name (1950–present)'' -->
| known_for = Founder and [[CEO]] of Pacific Trade International
| spouse =
| children =
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| parents =
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| partner = <!-- unmarried life partner; use ''Name (1950–present)'' -->
| children =
| relatives =
| parents =
| website =
| relatives =
| footnotes =
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| website =
| footnotes =
| box_width =
}}
}}
'''Mei Xu''' is a Chinese-American [[Entrepreneurship|entrepreneur]] and [[business executive]] who founded Pacific Trade International and its subsidiary, Chesapeake Bay Candle. She is the current [[CEO]] of Pacific Trade International and Chesapeake Bay Candle.<ref name="BethMag">{{cite news | last=McCormick| first=Gabriele| title =How Mei Xu Found Her Bliss| newspaper =| publisher =''Bethesda Magazine'' | date =March 2011| url =http://www.bethesdamagazine.com/Bethesda-Magazine/March-April-2011/How-Mei-Xu-Found-Her-Bliss/| accessdate =November 10, 2017}}</ref><ref name="WaPo">{{cite news | last=Heath| first=Thomas| title =Immigrant from China turns a stroll through Bloomingdale’s into a $60 million business| newspaper =The Washington Post| publisher =| date =October 16, 2016| url =https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/immigrant-from-china-turns-a-stroll-through-bloomingdales-into-a-60-million-business/2016/10/15/cc245174-921f-11e6-9c52-0b10449e33c4_story.html?utm_term=.b555d1ac349c| accessdate =November 10, 2017}}</ref>
'''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.<ref name="BethMag">{{cite news | last=McCormick| first=Gabriele| title =How Mei Xu Found Her Bliss| publisher =Bethesda Magazine | date =March 2011| url =http://www.bethesdamagazine.com/Bethesda-Magazine/March-April-2011/How-Mei-Xu-Found-Her-Bliss/| access-date =November 10, 2017}}</ref><ref name="WaPo">{{cite news | last=Heath| first=Thomas| title =Immigrant from China turns a stroll through Bloomingdale's into a $60 million business| newspaper =The Washington Post| date =October 16, 2016| url =https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/immigrant-from-china-turns-a-stroll-through-bloomingdales-into-a-60-million-business/2016/10/15/cc245174-921f-11e6-9c52-0b10449e33c4_story.html| access-date =November 10, 2017}}</ref> She is the CEO of Mei Xu & Co. LLC and its online platform, YesSheMay.com, a community and marketplace for women entrepreneurs.{{citation needed|date=October 2021}}

With her innovative style and passion for fragrance, she launched Blueme, a sustainable<ref>{{Cite web |title=What is Recandle? |url=https://bluemefragrance.com/blogs/news/what-is-recandle |access-date=2024-06-05 |website=Blueme |language=en}}</ref> functional fragrance brand, in 2023 at department stores such as Bloomingdale’s and Saks Fifth Avenue.

== Awards ==
* 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==
==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]].<ref name="AT">{{cite news | last=Wanxia| first=Lin| title =Burning Bright| newspaper =Asia Times| date =March 13, 2017| url =https://asiatimes.com/article/goodbye-diplomacy-china-hello-american-dream/| access-date =November 10, 2017}}</ref> 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 [[Bachelor of Arts|BA]] in [[American studies]].<ref name="BizMei">{{cite news | last=Gilgore| first=Sara| title =Mei Xu (Video)| newspaper =Washington Business Journal| date =September 9, 2016| url =https://www.bizjournals.com/washington/news/2016/09/09/mei-xu.html| access-date =November 10, 2017}}</ref><ref name="Inc">{{cite magazine | last=Kim| first=Kathleen| title =Mei Xu: Crossing Borders With Chesapeake Bay Candle| magazine =Inc.| date =October 24, 2012| url =https://www.inc.com/kathleen-kim/mei-xu-crossing-borders-with-chesapeake-bay-candle.html| access-date =November 10, 2017}}</ref>
⚫
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]].<ref name="BethMag"/><ref name="AT"/><ref name="ILC">{{cite news | title =Immigrant Entrepreneur Hall of Fame: Mei Xu| publisher =The Immigrant Learning Center| date =August 2014| url =http://www.ilctr.org/promoting-immigrants/immigrant-entrepreneur-hof/xu/| access-date =November 21, 2017}}</ref> 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.<ref name="AT"/><ref name="BizMei"/>
⚫
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]].<ref name="AT">{{cite news | last=Wanxia| first=Lin| title =Burning Bright| newspaper =Asia Times| publisher =| date =March 13, 2017| url =http://www.atimes.com/article/goodbye-diplomacy-china-hello-american-dream/| accessdate =November 10, 2017}}</ref> 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 [[Bachelor of Arts|BA]] in [[American studies]].<ref name="BizMei">{{cite news | last=Gilgore| first=Sara| title =Mei Xu (Video)| newspaper =Washington Business Journal| publisher =| date =September 9, 2016| url =https://www.bizjournals.com/washington/news/2016/09/09/mei-xu.html| accessdate =November 10, 2017}}</ref><ref name="Inc">{{cite news | last=Kim| first=Kathleen| title =Mei Xu: Crossing Borders With Chesapeake Bay Candle| newspaper =| publisher =''Inc.''| date =October 24, 2012| url =https://www.inc.com/kathleen-kim/mei-xu-crossing-borders-with-chesapeake-bay-candle.html| accessdate =November 10, 2017}}</ref>

⚫
In response to the [[Tiananmen Square protests of 1989]], the Chinese government assigned menial jobs to many youths. Xu was assigned to work at a warehouse in [[Dalian]] tracking mineral deliveries.<ref name="BethMag"/><ref name="AT"/><ref name="ILC">{{cite news | last=| first=| title =Immigrant Entrepreneur Hall of Fame: Mei Xu| newspaper =| publisher =The Immigrant Learning Center| date =August 2014| url =http://www.ilctr.org/promoting-immigrants/immigrant-entrepreneur-hof/xu/| accessdate =November 21, 2017}}</ref> 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 impacted by a hiring Freeze.<ref name="AT"/><ref name="BizMei"/>
==Career==
==Career==
Xu first found a job at a medical company in [[New York City]].<ref name="BizMei"/> 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.<ref name="AT"/><ref name="Love">{{cite news | last=Hinders| first=Dana| title =Chesapeake Bay Candle: Interview with Mei Xu| newspaper =| publisher =LoveToKnow| date =| url =http://candles.lovetoknow.com/Chesapeake_Bay_Candle:_Interview_with_Mei_Xu| accessdate =November 10, 2017}}</ref> She was initially inspired to create the company because of her frequent walk-throughs of a local [[Bloomingdale's]] in New York.<ref name="WaPo"/> In its first year of operation, Pacific Trade International earned $500,000.<ref name="BizMei"/>
Xu first found a job at a medical company in [[New York City]].<ref name="BizMei"/> 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.<ref name="AT"/><ref name="Love">{{cite news | last=Hinders| first=Dana| title =Chesapeake Bay Candle: Interview with Mei Xu| publisher =LoveToKnow| url =http://candles.lovetoknow.com/Chesapeake_Bay_Candle:_Interview_with_Mei_Xu| access-date =November 10, 2017}}</ref> She was initially inspired to create the company because of her frequent walk-throughs of a local [[Bloomingdale's]] in New York.<ref name="WaPo"/> In its first year of operation, Pacific Trade International earned $500,000.<ref name="BizMei"/>


Zu 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.<ref name="WaPo"/><ref name="WLife">{{cite news | last=Farazad| first=Roshan| title =Gift Guide: Classic Candles| newspaper =| publisher =''Washington Life''| date =November 19, 2010| url =http://washingtonlife.com/2010/11/19/classiccandles/| accessdate =November 10, 2017}}</ref> In 1995, Xu's sister opened a factory in Hangzhou to manufacture the candles.<ref name="AT"/>
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.<ref name="WaPo"/><ref name="WLife">{{cite news | last=Farazad| first=Roshan| title =Gift Guide: Classic Candles| publisher =Washington Life| date =November 19, 2010| url =http://washingtonlife.com/2010/11/19/classiccandles/| access-date =November 10, 2017}}</ref> In 1995, Xu's sister opened a factory in Hangzhou to manufacture the candles.<ref name="AT"/>

In 2005, Xu founded an interior lifestyle brand, Blissliving Home, under the umbrella of Pacific Trade International. Two years later, the Asian Women in Business organization honored her with their Entrepreneurial Leadership Award.<ref name="HAT">{{cite news | last=Dickenson| first=Susan| title =Portrait: Mei Xu, Blissliving Home and Chesapeake Candle| newspaper =| publisher =''Home Accents Today''| date =December 1, 2007| url =http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/article/410225-Portrait_mei_xu_blissliving| accessdate =November 10, 2017}}</ref> In 2011, Xu opened another production and distribution facility in [[Glen Burnie, Maryland]]. In 2014, [[United States Senate|United States Senator]], [[Ben Cardin]], toured that facility.<ref name="BethMag"/><ref name="BSun">{{cite news | last=Yoon| first=Kate| title =Cardin tours Chesapeake Bay Candle in Glen Burnie| newspaper =Baltimore Sun| publisher =| date =February 7, 2014| url =http://www.baltimoresun.com/cg2-arc-140207gn-gazdigest--cardin-candle-20140207-story.html| accessdate =November 10, 2017}}</ref>
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.<ref name="HAT">{{cite news | last=Dickenson| first=Susan| title =Portrait: Mei Xu, Blissliving Home and Chesapeake Candle| publisher =Home Accents Today| date =December 1, 2007| url =http://www.homeaccentstoday.com/article/410225-Portrait_mei_xu_blissliving| access-date =November 10, 2017}}</ref> In 2011, Xu opened another production and distribution facility in [[Glen Burnie, Maryland]]. In 2014, U.S. Senator [[Ben Cardin]] toured that facility.<ref name="BethMag"/><ref name="BSun">{{cite news | last=Yoon| first=Kate| title =Cardin tours Chesapeake Bay Candle in Glen Burnie| newspaper =Baltimore Sun| date =February 7, 2014| url =http://www.baltimoresun.com/cg2-arc-140207gn-gazdigest--cardin-candle-20140207-story.html| access-date =November 10, 2017}}</ref>
In September 2017, it was announced that [[New Jersey]] company, [[Newell Brands]], acquired Chesapeake Bay Candle for $75 million. Pacific Trade International was not included in the deal, and Xu remains CEO of that company.<ref name="Gaz">{{cite news | last=Hutzell| first=Rick| title =New Jersey company buys Chesapeake Bay Candle for $75 million| newspaper =Capital Gazette| publisher =| date =September 7, 2017| url =http://www.capitalgazette.com/news/business/ac-cn-chesapeake-candle-20170907-story.html| accessdate =November 21, 2017}}</ref><ref name="BizSale">{{cite news | last=Munshaw| first=Jonathan| title =Newell Brands to buy Chesapeake Bay Candle for $75M| newspaper =Baltimore Business Journal| publisher =| date =September 7, 2017| url =https://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/news/2017/09/07/newell-brands-to-buy-chesapeake-bay-candle-for-75m.html| accessdate =November 21, 2017}}</ref>
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.<ref name="Gaz">{{cite news | last=Hutzell| first=Rick| title =New Jersey company buys Chesapeake Bay Candle for $75 million| newspaper =Capital Gazette| date =September 7, 2017| url =http://www.capitalgazette.com/news/business/ac-cn-chesapeake-candle-20170907-story.html| access-date =November 21, 2017}}</ref><ref name="BizSale">{{cite news | last=Munshaw| first=Jonathan| title =Newell Brands to buy Chesapeake Bay Candle for $75M| newspaper =Baltimore Business Journal| date =September 7, 2017| url =https://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/news/2017/09/07/newell-brands-to-buy-chesapeake-bay-candle-for-75m.html| access-date =November 21, 2017}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mei Xu < The Immigrant Learning Center |url=https://www.ilctr.org/entrepreneur-hof/mei-xu/ |access-date=2024-06-05 |website=The Immigrant Learning Center |language=en-US}}</ref>

==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
==External links==
==External links==
*{{LinkedIn URL|https://www.linkedin.com/in/meixu1}}
*[http://www.chesapeakebaycandle.com/ Chesapeake Bay Candle]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Xu, Mei}}
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American people of Chinese descent]]
[[Category:University of Maryland, College Park alumni]]
[[Category:American businesspeople]]

Latest revision as of 14:16, 15 July 2024

Mei Xu
Born
Hangzhou, China
BildungMaster's in Journalism
Alma materUniversity of Maryland
OccupationEntrepreneur
Known forFounder 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]
  1. ^ a b c McCormick, Gabriele (March 2011). "How Mei Xu Found Her Bliss". Bethesda Magazine. Retrieved November 10, 2017.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ "What is Recandle?". Blueme. Retrieved 2024-06-05.
  4. ^ a b c d e Wanxia, Lin (March 13, 2017). "Burning Bright". Asia Times. Retrieved November 10, 2017.
  5. ^ a b c d Gilgore, Sara (September 9, 2016). "Mei Xu (Video)". Washington Business Journal. Retrieved November 10, 2017.
  6. ^ Kim, Kathleen (October 24, 2012). "Mei Xu: Crossing Borders With Chesapeake Bay Candle". Inc. Retrieved November 10, 2017.
  7. ^ "Immigrant Entrepreneur Hall of Fame: Mei Xu". The Immigrant Learning Center. August 2014. Retrieved November 21, 2017.
  8. ^ Hinders, Dana. "Chesapeake Bay Candle: Interview with Mei Xu". LoveToKnow. Retrieved November 10, 2017.
  9. ^ Farazad, Roshan (November 19, 2010). "Gift Guide: Classic Candles". Washington Life. Retrieved November 10, 2017.
  10. ^ Dickenson, Susan (December 1, 2007). "Portrait: Mei Xu, Blissliving Home and Chesapeake Candle". Home Accents Today. Retrieved November 10, 2017.
  11. ^ Yoon, Kate (February 7, 2014). "Cardin tours Chesapeake Bay Candle in Glen Burnie". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 10, 2017.
  12. ^ Hutzell, Rick (September 7, 2017). "New Jersey company buys Chesapeake Bay Candle for $75 million". Capital Gazette. Retrieved November 21, 2017.
  13. ^ Munshaw, Jonathan (September 7, 2017). "Newell Brands to buy Chesapeake Bay Candle for $75M". Baltimore Business Journal. Retrieved November 21, 2017.
  14. ^ "Mei Xu < The Immigrant Learning Center". The Immigrant Learning Center. Retrieved 2024-06-05.
[edit]
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