Hardware Podcasts

Chesapeake Bay Candle: Mei Xu

How I Built This · 6 Mar 2017 · 41m

What this episode covers

Mei Xu, founder of Chesapeake Bay Candle, explains how she pivoted from importing goods to manufacturing scented candles after a disastrous trade show experience and an inspiring trip to Frankfurt. She details the technical challenges of candle formulation, the accidental creation of her signature 'snowflake' texture using Campbell's soup cans as molds, and the strategic decision to manufacture in the US to leverage the 'Made in USA' brand. Xu also recounts the high-stakes process of securing Target as a major retailer, including a critical error in complaining about a buyer and the logistical nightmare of fulfilling a massive initial order.

Most relevant to

early-stage companies and companies scaling up

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
Chesapeake Bay Candle, Bloomingdale's, Target
Products
Campbell's Soup
Also
New York Gift Show, Frankfurt Ambiente

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