17 Years ago, Mei Xu began a fragrance candle business in her basement only to turn it into a company that makes $70 million a year in sales, the Baltimore Sun reported. Known in the U.S. as Chesapeake Bay Candle, the company has 6 global locations and employs more than 2,000 people worldwide.
Born and raised in China, Xu decided to study journalism in the United States at the University of Maryland. She earned her Master’s degree in the field. Afterwards, she went to New York and worked at a medical equipment company. So close to famous Bloomingdale’s department store, Xu would window shop every day. She noticed there was imbalance between contemporary fashion and the American home.
With the help of friends who worked with foreign trade in China, they realized there was a need for scented candles. She made the candles in her basement and took it to Bloomingdale’s and they agreed to buy them. Starting with an order of 300 candles in 1994, the year ended with $500,000 in sales. Eventually, her candles were selling in Nordstrom, Target, Kohl’s and Pier 1. The company was named as one of the fastest-growing private companies by Inc. magazine in the early part of this decade.
Xu has expanded her candle business to other home décor items. According to Divine Caroline.com, Xu was inspired by the natural beauty surrounding Chesapeake Bay that she decided to pay tribute to it by naming the company after the waterway.
