Mei Xu Shares Her Light: How a Candle Entrepreneur Mentors and Empowers Fellow Women Business Owners
When Mei Xu arrived in the US from China in 1991, she brought with her a decade’s worth of diplomatic training, a fresh perspective, and an entrepreneurial spirit. She also had a dream—to create something beautiful that reflected her journey, her culture, and her vision. That dream ultimately sparked a multimillion-dollar business in the form of Chesapeake Bay Candle, a brand that transformed the home fragrance industry. But Xu’s story didn’t end there. With her success, she’s committed herself to helping other women, particularly immigrants like herself, find their own paths to success. Through her mentorship, her e-commerce venture Yes She May, and her early partnership with Bank of America, Xu has become an influential figure in the world of women-owned small businesses.
From Diplomat-in-Training to Entrepreneur
Growing up in China, Mei Xu had a strict path laid out for her by her family and society. She trained rigorously to become a diplomat, an occupation that offered stability and prestige but didn’t spark her creativity or personal ambition. After immigrating to the United States, Xu recognized an opportunity to create something that merged her personal passions with her newfound independence. This decision, however, went against her family’s expectations, particularly her father’s. “I had grown up in a country where it’s very uniform,” she recalls. “And I wanted to create the beauty that I didn’t see.”
Xu’s first business, Chesapeake Bay Candle, was born from her desire to create products that expressed her heritage and appealed to a wide audience. She recognized that candles had the power to evoke emotions, transform spaces, and provide a sense of home. That insight, combined with the appeal of affordable luxury, allowed her to break into the competitive American market. In a few short years, Chesapeake Bay Candle became a sought-after brand, helping to redefine the candle industry by introducing products with distinctly Asian-inspired designs, scents, and aesthetics.
The Key Partnership: Bank of America’s Support for Small Businesses
Though Xu was driven, starting a business from the ground brought its challenges. One of the most significant hurdles she faced was managing cash flow. After receiving a warm reception from consumers, Xu realized her candle business had serious growth potential, but she needed resources to scale. Inventory management, particularly in the candle business, requires substantial upfront costs to prepare for high-demand seasons like the holidays. That’s where Bank of America came into the picture.
Xu applied for a $500,000 loan from Bank of America to bolster Chesapeake Bay Candle’s inventory for the holiday season—a pivotal time for any consumer goods business. This capital infusion allowed Xu to ramp up production and position her company to capitalize on peak demand. For Xu, working with a bank that recognized her business potential and saw her as more than just a number was crucial. “The line of credit is really a lifeline,” Xu shared. “I feel we are growing with Bank of America. “It feels like you’re not working with a big institution, you’re working with people just like you.” This early support marked a significant turning point for Chesapeake Bay Candle, providing the financial foundation Xu needed to grow the business rapidly.
The Ripple Effect: Creating Jobs and Opportunities
With the support from her Bank of America loan, Xu’s business flourished, and so did her ability to impact the lives of others. Xu created factory jobs that paid fair wages, with benefits that supported working families. She was particularly mindful of providing a work-life balance for the women she employed. “We had schedules where our workers could leave at 4 pm to be home with their kids,” she said. This kind of compassionate, community-focused approach wasn’t just good for business—it was life-changing for the employees who worked for her.
As her business grew, Xu continued to focus on mentorship and creating opportunities for other women, a mission she holds close to her heart. When a small business succeeds, it’s not just the founder who benefits—it’s the community, the families of employees, and aspiring entrepreneurs who look up to them.
Launching Yes She May: A Platform for Women-Owned Brands
In 2020, as the world grappled with the COVID-19 pandemic, Xu observed the struggles that women business owners were facing more acutely than ever. Many businesses had to pivot quickly as lockdowns interrupted traditional sales channels, impacting revenue streams and creating new logistical hurdles. Recognizing that women entrepreneurs were among the hardest hit, Xu took action by launching Yes She Mayan e-commerce platform designed to support and amplify women-owned brands around the world.
Yes She May serves as a digital marketplace that connects consumers with high-quality, women-owned brands in the fashion, beauty, and wellness sectors. Xu’s vision was to create a space where women entrepreneurs could showcase their products, tell their stories, and reach a broader audience without facing the high overhead costs of traditional retail. “When a candle lights another candle, it loses nothing, but the world gains even more light,” she says, quoting a Buddhist proverb that captures her philosophy of paying it forward.
Xu’s platform doesn’t just serve as an online store; it’s a community that champions women-led innovation and craftsmanship. For the entrepreneurs featured on Yes She May, Xu offers both a marketplace and mentorship, helping them navigate challenges and scale their businesses in the face of an ever-evolving retail landscape.
Mentorship and Empowerment: Sharing Lessons from Her Journey
Xu has become a mentor to many women entrepreneurs, especially immigrant women who face unique challenges in the business world. Her experience of building a business from scratch while navigating a new culture and language gives her insights that resonate deeply with those who have taken similar paths. Xu is transparent about her struggles and triumphs, and she actively shares her knowledge, hoping that other women can avoid some of the pitfalls she encountered.
She encourages women to embrace their distinct cultural perspectives as a strength in business. Xu’s own story exemplifies how an immigrant background can bring fresh insights and a competitive edge. By guiding women through the complexities of funding, branding, and scaling, Xu hopes to create a ripple effect where more women are empowered to pursue their own dreams.
The Legacy of Liberty: Supporting Women Entrepreneurs Beyond Bank Loans
For Bank of America, Xu’s journey highlights the importance of supporting small business owners with customized solutions that go beyond standard banking services. The financial institution celebrates Women’s Small Business Month, showcasing stories like Xu’s to inspire other aspiring entrepreneurs. The bank has developed various programs focused on supporting women-owned small businesses, recognizing the broader economic benefits of investing in women leaders.
In Xu’s case, that initial loan did far more than help one business owner—it ignited a career that has brought countless other women opportunities and mentorship. Liberty Media celebrates this legacy, using Xu’s example to advocate for its community-centered, personalized approach to business banking. In turn, Bank of America has earned a partner and a spokesperson in Xu, who believes that accessible capital is a foundational element for women’s empowerment in business.
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Inspiring the Next Generation of Women Leaders
Nearly three decades after she first launched Chesapeake Bay Candle, Mei Xu remains a passionate advocate for women in business. She understands that entrepreneurship is more than just a path to financial success—it’s an opportunity to inspire, to mentor, and to transform lives. By sharing her experiences, launching Yes She May, and providing a platform for women-owned brands, Xu is lighting the way for future women entrepreneurs. Her message is clear: when we support each other, we all rise.
As Xu looks to the future, her goals extend beyond her business successes. She envisions a world where more women, especially immigrants, feel empowered to start their own businesses, supported by resources that respect their unique backgrounds and strengths. With leaders like Mei Xu paving the way, the future of women-led entrepreneurship shines brightly.
Through her work with Bank of America, her own entrepreneurial journey, and her commitment to supporting women business owners, Mei Xu has become a true beacon of hope and opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs everywhere. Her legacy is one of resilience, innovation, and mentorship, and her story reminds us of the power of lighting the way for others.
