We had the good fortune of connecting with Ashley Leahy and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ashley, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I felt there was a gap in the market for something colorful and fun, with a European vibe, as I couldn’t find many places to shop for my own home after moving here from NYC…especially for framed art and vintage rugs. I had 10 years of NYC merchandising experience and a year of LA interior design experience, and it seemed logical to combine the 2 into a new concept. The shop, if done right aesthetically, would ideally bring design clients to me and fund its expansion…

What should our readers know about your business?
Being open at all feels like a gift, as so many amazing stores have had to close in the current economy or been ripped from us in the fires. With Candid’s opening in 2019, it felt like an onslaught of rough events since the beginning: the pandemic where we had to close for 8 months, then the strikes where things fell off majorly across the city, and now the tragic fires… I’m proud to have weathered all of this, and was able to adapt and change the biz as needed to get through each phase… I’m so committed to this business and finding a way to evolve no matter what, which right now is mostly through interior design and organizing projects. We have 3 current homes in progress and are always taking on new clients!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Griffith Park for hiking and horse-spotting on the trails, LA River for jogging and heron-spotting on the path

Dan Sung Sa for delicious Korean Food/frosty beers, Capri Club for espresso martinis, Walt’s for hot dogs // soft pretzels // pinball , Flowerhead Tea for chai and cookies , Picnic for coffee and the best Ube donut of your life

For shopping, I love Anonymousism (across the street from my store, which is dangerous), Sleeper Vintage, James Veloria, Worship Collective and all of the fleas…especially Rose Bowl, Long Beach and Topanga.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
So many…

My mom for brainstorming the name with me, endless hours of antique hunting and gathering together, emotional and physical support… she even moved the first load in a box truck from Round Top to the store in 2018!

My business partner, Brooke, who moved on a few years ago but was instrumental in early development on the brand, the website launch, and determining all the daily processes that keep things running to this day…

All the other friends and family and especially customers that helped this survive 6+ years in ways big and small 🙂

Website: https://candidhome.co

Instagram: https://candid.home

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leahyashley

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Candidhome.co/

Image Credits
all by me (Ashley leahy) aside from the big ball light interior design shot by Zachary Gray and green bedroom by Will Myers

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