Advice Line with Mei Xu of Chesapeake Bay Candle and Blueme

In this episode of How I Built This Lab, Guy Raz and Mei Xu, founder of Chesapeake Bay Candle and Blueme, offer business advice to entrepreneurs who call into the show. The first caller, Sasha Milstein, founder of Aunt Ethel's Pot Pies, seeks advice on finding a co-founder to help with production and manufacturing. Mei Xu suggests exploring smaller communities and women's groups and advises Sasha to determine the exit strategy and consider hiring a COO instead of a co-founder. The second caller, Tara from Dry Dolly, asks whether to focus on direct-to-consumer or B2B sales for her towel apparel business. Mei Xu recommends attending trade shows, protecting the design with a patent, and exploring QVC in the UK and influencer marketing. The final caller, Lindsay Gallus, co-founder of Math Medic, asks how to break into a system built for textbooks when her company offers a better digital alternative. Mei Xu suggests partnering with textbook companies or targeting progressive school districts and trade shows.