Hardware Podcasts

Chesapeake Bay Candle: Mei Xu (2017)

How I Built This · 17 Jun 2019 · 42m

What this episode covers

Mei Xu, founder of Chesapeake Bay Candle, explains how she pivoted from importing generic goods to designing scented candles after a disastrous trade show, using Campbell's soup cans as makeshift molds to create a unique 'fossilized' texture. She details the technical challenges of candle formulation, including balancing wax, fragrance, and wicks to prevent tunneling, and her strategic decision to build her own factory in China to control quality. Xu also describes her persistence in securing a massive order from Target, which required scaling production to half a million candles and managing complex logistics to meet holiday deadlines.

Most relevant to

founders before launch

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
Chesapeake Bay Candle, Bloomingdale's, Target, Newell brands, Yankee Candle, ReGrained
Products
Campbell's Soup

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