Smart Globalization - In the Age of China and India

Panelist Bio

Mei Xu

Ms. Mei Xu is the owner of two trendy companies – Chesapeake Bay Candle and Blissliving Home. After graduating from the University of Maryland with a degree in journalism, Mei Xu used her communication skills and ability to detect the latest trends in culture and fashion to create her first business, Chesapeake Bay Candle, which she started in her Annapolis basement with her husband, David. Her second company, Blissliving Home, is now well under way.

Chesapeake Bay Candle [www.chesapeakebaycandle.com]

Owned and created by Mei Xu and David Wang, Chesapeake Bay Candle is the candle- and home fragrance brand bringing scent, style, and ambiance to every environment. Following her passion for design, Mei began by setting up a candle workshop in the basement of her home in Annapolis, Maryland, where she created a collection of candles in a modern color palette, combined with a striking finish and unique fragrance pairings – using Campbell Soup cans for candle molds. Realizing that there was a true opportunity for Mei’s contemporary candle designs in the American market, David convinced Mei to set up their own company - which they formally established in the fall of 1994. Having always been devoted to a natural lifestyle, and inspired by the surrounding beauty of the Chesapeake Bay, Mei and David decided to pay tribute and named their candle brand Chesapeake Bay Candle.

The premier Chesapeake Bay Candle collection became available in the fall of 1995 through gift- and specialty stores as well as department store chains such as Bloomingdales and Nordstrom’s. By furthering partnerships with America’s most renowned retailers, Chesapeake Bay Candle quickly became one of the most successful candle- and home fragrances companies in the United States, and only continues to grow. In recent years the company was recognized twice by Inc. magazine as one of America’s fastest growing private enterprises.