Q: What is your company’ s current financial picture and what are your projections?
A: Chesapeake Bay Candle has been growing at an annual growth rate of twenty per cent over the past three years. In 2007 we will hit a sales volume of $60 million and we project to continually grow at fifteen to twenty per cent in the years to come. Our strategy for growth is based on our continued design and fragrance innovation and our ability to provide accessible pricing. It also includes branching out into new and innovative product categories, growing with existing accounts, as well as new key accounts.
Q: What has been your greatest success or "high point" in the process?
A: I have been blessed with many “high points”—it would be difficult to single one out … This year has been exceptionally successful. First Chesapeake Bay Candle was named by Target as the only strategic partner in the entire candle and candle accessory department. This was a tremendous honor and a recognition that we do not take lightly. Second, at the New York International Gift Fair in the summer, one of Blissliving Home’ s duvet sets was recognized for its outstanding design. Blissliving Home is a very design-driven brand, and the entire team is so passionate about what we do—so it was very special to receive this public recognition. And then in fall, the Asian Women In Business organization (AWIB) selected me for its annual Entrepreneurial Leadership award. When I first learned about this recognition I was so humbled... and then I started to think about the long way we have come. It has been a long journey from the day in 1992 when we arrived in the United States until today. A journey on which we have been joined by many friends, without whom we couldn’t have made it...
Q: Have you experienced a “low point” and if so, how did you rally yourself to get back on track?
A: Fortunately, I have never experienced a low point, per se. But in business, as in life, you always experience challenges. It is not pleasant, but it is the reality. With the help of a strong team and the partners we have made over the years in the business community, we have always been able to overcome the hurdles on the way.
PREVIOUS PAGE
