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Burn book by Mei Xu

Burn

How grit, innovation, and a dash of luck ignited a multi-million dollar success story.
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Mei Xu
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What Others Are Saying...

Mei’s fashion sense is just like her business philosophy—both on-trend and timeless. Powerful and riveting.
Through candles, Mei provides a guidebook on creativity and conscious capitalism. A must read for anyone committed to America’s ongoing national competitiveness and prosperity. An inspiring story of grit, determination, and entrepreneurial success.
A book for anyone who’s lost faith in the American Dream. This is an inspiring story of grit, determination and entrepreneurial stardom – a must-read for those who think innovation is about solar panels and smart-phone apps.
Mei Xu’s story inspired me from the moment I first heard it. Her journey as an immigrant--penniless and without any contacts—to founding her own multi-million dollar business empire is one that will make anyone who reads this book want to leap into action and seize the day!
A fresh new perspective on how the power of product innovation – and one woman’s determination – can transform an industry.
As we look for answers to how America can best compete in the new age of globalization, voices like Mei Xu need to be heard. She speaks with wisdom and truth.""Mei Xu is one of America's finest women entrepreneurs and has built a legacy that makes all of us proud. This book shares the story from her upbringing in China to her journey building Chesapeake Bay--realizing the American dream.""Mei Xu is a phenomenal entrepreneur who shares important lessons in this book for anyone starting or building a business. I highly recommend it.
Throughout history, pioneers have inspired us with their courage to tread the unworn path. Mei Xu’s story tracks one of those rare trails. This is a fascinating and authentic account of a journey with many chapters still to be written. Be humbled, be inspired and be excited to set your own path. A book to make you think and perhaps to make you act.
Marla Beck
CEO of Atmosphere Ventures, LLC and Bluemercury, Inc
Candace Duncan
Retired Managing Partner, KPMG
Larry Liding
Executive VP, Head of China Operations at CBS
Guy Raz
Journalist, Correspondent and Radio Host at NPR
Andy Sieg
President, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management
Monica Smiley
Editor & Publisher, Enterprising Women magazine
Mark Tarchetti
former Newell Brands President, Founder at Alchemy Rx
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About The Book

Burn

The American Dream continues to resonate with immigrants from around the world. Millions of people hope to come to the United States to build a better life for themselves and their families, often by creating and growing new ventures and companies. While not everyone succeeds, many do. Mei Xu is one of those successes. In Burn, entrepreneur and international businesswoman Mei Xu tells her story of ingenuity, determination, and luck. Spanning three decades, from 1991 when she arrived at Washington’s Dulles Airport, to today, Xu’s story is one of stunning success. She built a multi-million-dollar company, met and counseled thousands of entrepreneurs and business people, and even advised the President of the United States Barack Obama on the topic of job creation.

In Burn, you’ll learn:

  • About the creation of Mei Xu’s international lifestyle business and the success stories of other female leaders who triumphed over adversity to achieve their dreams
  • Why the American Dream is still within your grasp, and how to reach for it
  • How creators like Xu think differently about innovation and how you can harness her insights to build something new and exciting for yourself

Burn explains how Xu’s embrace of design-driven entrepreneurship and thoughtful manufacturing powered her growth and prosperity in a truly international company. Design leadership remains vital to a robust and global economy. Burn will inspire you to follow your vision and have an impact on the world around you. Perfect for anyone seeking an engrossing and inspirational tale of success, Burn belongs on the bookshelves of professionals and entrepreneurs everywhere!

  • A young Mei on the banks of Hangzhou's West Lake (ca. 1984)
  • The young Xu family (1987): Mei, her dad, her mom, Tom (Li's husband), and Li.
  • A young Mei and David taking a break from studies at Beijing University (1988).
  • Mei debuts magic glow candles and other products from China and the Charlotte Gift Show (1994).
  • Richard Zhu in the Upper Marlboro, Maryland office (1996).
  • First Chesapeake Bay pillar candle ever made, in the basement of Mei's home (1996).
  • Engineers monitoring the burn lab at the Chinese factory (2004).Engineers monitoring the burn lab at the Chinese factory (2004).Engineers monitoring the burn lab at the Chinese factory (2004).
    Engineers monitoring the burn lab at the Chinese factory (2004).
  • Mei and her design team poised for a new product launch (2007).
    Mei and her design team poised for a new product launch (2007).
  • First team of Target buyers visit the China Factory (1997); from left to right: David Wang, Mei, Li, Jennifer Schock, Tom (Li's husband), and a senior Target buyer.
    First team of Target buyers visit the China Factory (1997); from left to right: David Wang, Mei, Li, Jennifer Schock, Tom (Li's husband), and a senior Target buyer.
  • Business partners and sisters Li and Mei at the twentieth anniversary celebration of Chesapeake By (2014).
    Business partners and sisters Li and Mei at the twentieth anniversary celebration of Chesapeake By (2014).
  • The stylish Target Rep David Sunberg with Mei at the twentieth anniversary celebration of Chesapeake Bay (2014).
    The stylish Target Rep David Sunberg with Mei at the twentieth anniversary celebration of Chesapeake Bay (2014).
  • A state gift Mei designed for First Lady Michelle Obama (c. 2010)
    A state gift Mei designed for First Lady Michelle Obama (c. 2010)
  • Candles on the assembly line in Vietnam (2020).
    Candles on the assembly line in Vietnam (2020).Candles on the assembly line in Vietnam (2020).
  • Mei and her COO Dale Williams feeling discouraged about the American factory (2011).
    Mei and her COO Dale Williams feeling discouraged about the American factory (2011).
  • President Obama and Mei and the Insourcing American Job Forum (2012).
    President Obama and Mei and the Insourcing American Job Forum (2012).
  • Chesapeake Bay Candle, Mind and Body Collection.
    Chesapeake Bay Candle, Mind and Body Collection.
  • Chesapeake Bay Candle, Mind and Body Collection.
  • Chesapeake Bay Candle, Mind and Body Collection.
  • Chesapeake Bay Candle, Mind and Body Collection.
About The Author

Mei Xu

Mei Xu is a Chinese American entrepreneur. The founder and CEO of three global companies, Yes She May, BlissLiving Home® and Chesapeake Bay Candle®. Xu successfully negotiated the sale of Chesapeake Bay Candle to Newell Brands in 2017, a conglomerate with a $14 billion portfolio of consumer goods. Mei is now focused on helping women-owned consumer product companies grow and prosper with the Yes She May product platform.
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Mei Xu

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