Podcast Summary: "Advice Line with Mei Xu of Chesapeake Bay Candle and Blueme"
How I Built This with Guy Raz
Episode: Advice Line with Mei Xu of Chesapeake Bay Candle and Blueme
Release Date: August 7, 2025
Introduction
In this episode of How I Built This with Guy Raz, host Guy Raz engages with Mei Xu, the visionary founder of Chesapeake Bay Candle and her latest venture, Bloom. The segment is dedicated to the "Advice Line," where entrepreneurs seek guidance on overcoming various business challenges. Throughout the episode, Mei Xu offers invaluable insights drawn from her extensive experience, while callers present their unique entrepreneurial dilemmas.
Guest Introduction: Mei Xu
[03:18]
Guy Raz: Mei, welcome back! You first appeared on our show in 2017, sharing your journey from a diplomat trainee in China to founding Chesapeake Bay Candle—a company you successfully sold for $75 million to Newell Brands, the parent company of Yankee Candle. Since then, you've authored a book, launched a boutique supporting women founders, and introduced your latest wellness-focused candle brand, Bloom.
[04:01]
Mei Xu: "Bloom was created to bridge the gap I observed during my recovery from breast cancer in 2016. I noticed how fragrance candles helped restore a sense of normalcy for people, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic when many were working from home. With Bloom, we aim to connect the sense of smell with well-being, addressing the increased demand for self-care through fragrances."
Caller 1: Sasha Milstein of Aunt Ethel's Pot Pies
[08:06] Sasha Milstein:
"Hi Guy, I'm Sasha from Brooklyn, founder of Aunt Ethel's Pot Pies. We specialize in gourmet frozen pot pies with a flaky, buttery croissant-like crust and rich, creamy fillings. We've launched in over 100 Wegmans locations, sold out 8,000 units on QVC in six minutes, and recently hit a quarter of a million dollars in sales."
Challenge:
Sasha is seeking advice on finding a co-founder to address her company's blind spots, particularly in production and manufacturing. Despite networking efforts in Brooklyn's vibrant business community and even meeting a potential co-founder through Y Combinator, she struggles to find the right fit without mixing business with personal relationships.
Advice:
- Mei Xu [11:55]: "Working with a spouse can be challenging; consider hiring a COO or brand manager instead."
- Guy Raz [16:47]: Suggests finding an operator with CPG experience who can handle scaling the business and exploring additional product lines beyond pot pies.
Notable Quote:
Mei Xu [15:31]: "Think about hiring someone like a COO who can scale your business and handle areas you're less familiar with."
Caller 2: Tara of Dry Dolly
[23:40] Tara:
"Hello, I'm Tara from Dubai, co-founder of Dry Dolly—a company rethinking towel apparel into stylish, functional dresses that dry quickly and look fabulous. Our product is designed for versatility, whether you're fresh from the shower, swim, or gym."
Challenge:
Tara grapples with deciding whether to focus on Business-to-Business (B2B) or Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) channels. Initial testing revealed diverse market needs, including use cases for sports and maternity, prompting her to reconsider her target audience.
Advice:
- Mei Xu [27:44]: "Adopt a multi-channel distribution approach without abandoning D2C. Attend trade shows and partner with hotels to expand your reach."
- Guy Raz [31:20]: Recommends showcasing diverse use cases through social media marketing to highlight the product's versatility.
Notable Quote:
Mei Xu [29:11]: "Protect your design with a patent and explore platforms like QVC London to reach a broader audience."
Caller 3: Lindsay Gallas of Math Medic
[32:57] Lindsay Gallas:
"Hi, I'm Lindsay from Grand Rapids, Michigan, co-founder of Math Medic. We provide free daily lesson plans for high school math teachers, covering topics from algebra to AP calculus. To support our free resources, we offer supplemental materials for purchase."
Challenge:
Lindsay seeks strategies to penetrate school districts and gain adoption at the institutional level, as traditional funding models favor textbooks over digital alternatives like theirs.
Advice:
- Guy Raz [39:04]: Shares his experience with the challenges of monetizing edtech platforms and suggests exploring micro-charging or private school partnerships.
- Mei Xu [39:32]: Recommends considering partnerships with progressive school districts and leveraging the extensive user base for advertising opportunities.
Notable Quote:
Mei Xu [44:00]: "Define your vision and end game for the business to guide your strategies in scaling and partnerships."
Final Insights from Mei Xu
[44:51] Mei Xu:
"Looking back, I would advise startup founders not to struggle alone. Fundraising can provide insights and resources essential for scaling. Lean on the community available to you."
[45:20]
Mei Xu emphasizes the importance of community support and the benefits of fundraising in scaling operations and gaining strategic insights.
Conclusion
Guy Raz wraps up the episode by encouraging listeners to explore Mei Xu's inspiring journey and to consider reaching out for personalized business advice. He highlights key moments from Mei's original Chesapeake Bay Candle episode, reinforcing the value of learning from seasoned entrepreneurs.
Final Quote:
May Xu [44:51]: "Don't try to struggle by yourself. There is a community out there that you could lean on."
Production Credits
- Produced by: Kerry Thompson
- Music Composed by: Ramtini Bluey
- Edited by: Andrea Bruce
- Audio Engineer: Kwesi Lee
- Production Team: Alex Chung, Elaine Coates, Katherine Cipher, Karla Estevez, Sam Paulson, J.C. Howard, and Neva Grant.
This comprehensive summary captures the essence of the "Advice Line" episode, showcasing real entrepreneurial challenges and the expert advice provided by Mei Xu and Guy Raz. Whether you're navigating co-founder dynamics, deciding between sales channels, or aiming to disrupt traditional markets, the insights shared offer valuable guidance for building and scaling a successful business.