The Candidly Speaking

We’re going West this weekend!
Well, kind of 😀. Catch us this Sunday at Bridge Street Meijer for Last Sundays! We’ll be there from 10am-2pm so stop by and meet us!

Bridge Street Market
405 Seward Ave NW
Grand Rapids, Mi 49504

Come out this Friday to the Summer Wine Down at the Southfield Municipal Campus from 7-9pm. This free event will have live music, vendors and a bar! (cash bar)
See you Friday!

This Sunday The Candidly Speaking will be a vendor for the “Talk It Out Walk It Out” event at the Charles H Wright Museum! This event helps bring awareness to health disparities that impact black women through education, dialog and action. Registration is still open to attend so check out the eventbrite link and see you soon!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/talk-it-out-walk-it-out-tickets-899535293277?aff=oddtdtcreator

Today The Candidly Speaking will be at Tech Town for “First Thursdays” where I will have the opportunity to showcase my brand and network with other entrepreneurs from 530-730pm. So come so hey girl and meet some great people!

Hey!

Because we have a few new followers, I wanted to take some time to tell you a little bit about myself and The Candidly Speaking.

My name is LaToya and I’m the owner and CEO of The Candidly Speaking, a greeting card and stationery company committed to celebrating black images and experiences.

I was born and raised in Detroit and attended DPS, graduating from Frank Cody High School (exit 9 4-evaaa) and going on to obtain my undergrad from Oakland University majoring in Human Resources Development with a concentration in Training and Development (this experience has helped me create the brand).

I started The Candidly Speaking during the pandemic. After years of being unfulfilled in corporate, I knew there was another plan for me. I’ve always loved to write and have always been an ear and shoulder for my family and friends so I knew I had something, just didn’t know what. I began to look for ways to express my thoughts while also making connection and began to explore the idea of creating greeting cards. I don’t know about you, but the right greeting card can really evoke emotion and help you understand the way people experience you. That’s what I wanted to do.

The Candidly Speaking’s mission is to connect the person giving the gift of words to the person receiving the gift while also giving us a space to be unapologetically ourselves. From big hair, to big gold hoops and melanated skin of all shades, we are here to celebrate us! When I say “it’s McDonald’s at home” or “daddy can have the big piece of chicken” you know what I’m talking about. We have a language that we understand and I want us to be proud of our uniqueness and our stories.

We have cards celebrating birthdays, new babies, new jobs, offering sympathy, providing a thank you, Valentines/Galentines, graduation, breast cancer support, Mothers Day/Fathers Day, etc. We’re still building so I’m always adding new products and when I’m out, I’m listening to your feedback.

So thank you for your support and stick around as we learn and grow!

🎥

For most of my life the office of the president has been occupied by the same person. Not literally the same person, but you know what I mean. In 2008, something happened that I never thought would happen in my lifetime and it happened twice!

We now have the opportunity to elect not just the first woman, but the FIRST BLACK WOMAN to the highest office in the land.

As women we know the hurdles that VP has had to jump because we experience them every day. Being told “not yet” or being used in positions to further the bottom line but rarely getting the titles and compensation to match our efforts.

But watch us work! You think you’ve seen us mobilize, but keep watching! We’re going to win this!

Harris 2024

Today!!
There are so many great products and small businesses here. It’s a beautiful day so get up, get dressed and get to the Girls Girl Summer Market!

200 Walker St

It’s going to be a busy weekend!

Come sip and shop with me and some other amazing small business owners this Saturday at the Southfield Pavilion from 3-8.

Then on Sunday, it’s a girls girl day!!! Come out to the Girls Girl Summer Market at The Icon on the Detroit Riverfront for a day of activities, networking, food and music.

See you soon!

Today I popped up at .rosa
When I arrived the ladies were busy making vision boards and were focused. A few people came to pick up their summer greeting cards, grab some food and enjoy the lavender lemonade with Titos. I fought the urge to be a big back but lost and had to get a chocolate chip cookie that was delicious. Thanks for having me and thanks to everyone who stopped by!

July’s Events!

The Candidly Speaking’s first event for the month will be a pop-up at .rosa this Saturday from 1pm-6pm.

I will be doing some giveaways and it’s still wedding and graduation season so stop by and see me, grab some cards and be sure to get some food at this black woman owned cafe and enjoy Grandmas House!

See you Saturday!

There’s nothing like an extra day to relax and have a good time with your family! Turn on some music, kick your feet up and enjoy the 4th of July everybody!

I’ve been looking forward to this event for months!

I met last year at All Things Detroit and couldn’t wait for the opportunity to work with her.

This is a sold out event so I’m excited to be a part of the experience.

Happy Juneteenth!
Today we’re offering 30% off all products!
Code:Juneteenth2024

Happy Father’s Day fellas!

Tomorrow is the 3rd Annual Juneteenth Freedom Fest presented by Michigan Black Business Alliance and it’s going to be a time!

The freedom festival has a space for the kids as well as a designated space for adults where you can do adult things 😂. Not to mention, it’s also Father’s Day! What better way to spend time with the family, celebrate dad as well as celebrate our freedom!

Come out, have some food, shop with us small black business owners (you know you gotta come see me for your greeting card needs) and have a good time.

Go ahead and get your tickets here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/juneteenth-freedom-fest-tickets-880864869537?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

Whether you’re looking for a card for your dad, your brother, your “my man, my man, my man” or a support card for a loved one who is living without that special father figure, we have you covered!

You still have time to order so don’t miss out!

Today!
Our Own Wall Street Vendor Showcase. Come learn about our products and services and support small owned businesses today.
See you soon!

It’s almost summer which means WE OUTSIDE!

It’s officially graduation and wedding season as well as Fathers Day and Juneteenth. Here are a few opportunities to come out and support black owned businesses. So add these dates to your calendar and be sure to come see me to grab a few amazing greeting cards!

Happening now!
It’s Self Care Sunday. Come out and get your brows down, get a massage, try yoga and so many other great activities.
Oh and of course I have cards.
FYI…the cussing cards are not on display but I have them 😂

So excited that The Candidly Speaking will be featured on Live In The D today!!!! Be sure to tune in!!

All products including Mother’s Day cards are 40% off (code MOTHERSDAY).

We have cards for mom, granny, mom figures and friends/loved ones who are living with loss.

Check out the site and we can ship directly to your loved one!

This weekend!
The Candidly Speaking will be at Marygrove for the DKD Day Party and Sunday we will be at the sold out 5th Annual Pearls & Pumps Brunch at The Garden Theater.
You still have time to get your Mothers Day cards so don’t until you’re on your way to dinner this year to grab one!

TODAY!!!!!
Don’t miss us today at Eastern Market, shed 5!

The month of April said “I’m not done”

This Friday catch me at with for the BLK Market and on Saturday I will be at Pullman Yards for the Black Effect Podcast Festival in Atlanta, GA!

I will have all the favorites as well as some new Mothers Day and Fathers Day cards so come check me out!

Hope to see you all!

Hey everybody!
I finally have The Candidly Speaking listed on Google so if you’ve ever received a gift from The Candidly Speaking or gifted a greeting card to someone, please leave a review of the product. Is it good quality? Did the messaging create an experience? Did you laugh or cry? Whatever your experience, if you could take a few minutes to share, I would greatly appreciate it!

Thank you!

Next Friday!
Catch me at Eastern Market, Shed 5, with the MBBA for the BLK Market!

And the 10th year anniversary of All Things
Detroit is a wrap!

I want to take this time to say thank you to for the opportunity to be a part of this celebration!
I also want to thank every returning customer that says “let me get my cards for the year” or the people who say “I bought these for my friend and she loved them”. And to Ms Rainey, who became emotional while reading one of my sympathy cards last November and came back this past Sunday and told me how much the words meant to her loved ones.

This is the reason why I love vendor events and why I love All Things Detroit!

For all of your support, have a cup of coffee on me at your local Starbucks!

Thank You!

There’s no greater love.
Happy Resurrection Sunday!

Got to witness this amazing woman receive a congressional proclamation today for her commitment to small businesses!
There’s no one like Jennyfer Crawford and I’m so grateful to know her, learn from her and have her as a sounding board and a resource. Thank you for all that you do. To 10 more years!
And don’t forget to get your tickets to All Things Detroit!

To all Detroiters, near or far, Happy 313 Day!!