Team Details

Chelsea Xu

CEO & CO- Founder

Chelsea Xu is an entrepreneur with over 10 years of experience in the hospitality industry, starting her journey in a shipyard and later working across top resorts known for excellence in service. Her time in hospitality not only shaped her work ethic but also sparked a long-standing passion for business.

Her first venture was an attempt to open a coffee shop in the Maldives. While the idea was full of potential, the process of importing materials from China turned out to be more complex than expected — filled with delays, miscommunications, and hidden costs. Later, she explored launching an OEM product, which brought its own set of challenges and valuable lessons in branding, trust, and business structure.

Along the way, Chelsea listened to stories from other entrepreneurs facing similar struggles. She realized the gap wasn’t just hers — many others were dealing with the same headaches when sourcing from China.

That’s when she and her partner Umar decided to form Chelsea Shipping — a company built on experience, transparency, and support. Their goal is simple: make sourcing from China easier, more trustworthy, and accessible for small and growing businesses around the world.