With the rise of more and more black women breaking away from traditional 9-5s to become their own bosses, the CEO is getting a revamp as the SHEeo. In the Meet The SHEeo series, we talk to melanated mavens leveling up and glowing up, all while redefining what it means to be a boss.
The Oakland-based creative started CanDid Art in 2011 after learning how to make jewelry via YouTube. With little knowledge of the fashion industry, Cox hit the ground running and attended trade shows to reach a broader retail audience.
Nearly a decade later, the African-inspired artisanal jewelry line has expanded beyond California, landing an account with the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and gaining international customers who wear her unique conversation-starter pieces worldwide. Her funky, urban-chic designs have graced the pages of ESSENCE, GQ, San Francisco Magazine, Pynk, and Rolling Stone, and have been worn by many celebrities.
In this week's feature, meet Candice Cox of CanDid Art.
Courtesy of Candice Cox
Title: CEO of CanDid Art
Year Founded: 2011
Location:Oakland, CA
# of Employees: 1
30-Second Pitch: CanDid Art is an artisanal jewelry and modern home decor line based in Oakland, CA. We create unique conversation-starter pieces that spark trends and are accessible by a diverse customer base around the world. Our jewelry and home products are made from sustainably sourced materials and is inspired by cosmic geometry and African culture.
What inspired you to start your brand?
I'm an artist at heart and I wanted the freedom to create and be happy. My dad was also an entrepreneur all my life and I loved how he made moves in life as a boss, with no one to answer too (but my mom, lol) and I wanted that freedom.
What was your a-ha moment that brought your idea into reality?
I've always been a fan of handmade jewelry and after quitting my corporate job and relocating to Brooklyn, NY, I had a phone conversation with a girl who always made these cute crochet earrings. And she was like you could buy some wholesale from me and sell to your friends. Then, something clicked in my head and I was like, I could learn how to make jewelry on YouTube and sell my own work. And that's what I did and it grew from there.
Who is your ideal customer?
Women between the ages of 27-55 that are fearless fashion enthusiasts who desire to make a statement without saying a word and are looking to adorn their body in unconventional ways.
What makes your business different?
I design with references to cosmic geometry and African Visual Culture, so my jewelry pieces tend to be very unique and one of a kind. The most common comment that I get is, "I've have never seen anything like this."
What obstacles did you have to overcome while launching and growing your brand? How were you able to overcome them?
My obstacles would be lack of knowledge in the fashion industry which allowed me to not make smart investments in the right areas of my business in the beginning. I was able to overcome them by doing lots of research throughout the years, by reading and asking other designers that had more experience than me. A lot of it was also trial and error. When I saw that an idea or investment wasn't working, I would switch up what I was doing until I felt it was right.
What was the defining moment in your entrepreneurial journey?
The defining moment for me was understanding the power of a tradeshow. I didn't realize how valuable a tradeshow was in terms of the exposure for your brand. You could showcase your products to hundreds of boutiques, stores and museums from around the world. At my first tradeshow, I ended up landing an account with the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History in culture and they have been carrying my line since in the Museum store.
"I now have customers internationally and that's when I realized I need to focus on getting bigger wholesale accounts to truly scale my business."
Where do you see your company in 5-10 years?
I see my company growing into a larger, highly recognized brand made up of jewelry, home decor, greeting cards with an emphasis on kids' line of bedding, baby accessories and clothing. I see a lack of African Americans that run large children brands and after having my own daughter, I see the value in that industry. I want to have presence in hundreds of major retailers all over the world such as Target, Anthropologie, Nordstrom, Bloomingdales and large museums.
Where have you seen the biggest return on investment?
I have gotten so much business from vending over the years and it has been instrumental in my growth. I am a people person and I love interacting with my customers and conducting my own market research through a hands-on approach.
Do you have a mentor? If so, who?
I do not have a mentor in my industry (and would love one), but I do have an overall business mentor through this awesome company called Runway Project Oakland. Her name is Rani Langer-Croager and she is the founder of Uptima Business Bootcamp in Oakland.
Biggest lesson you’ve learned in business?
You must NEVER be complacent. You will always need to continue to reinvent yourself and shift within this ever-changing society. One minute, you could be the hottest thing out there and the next minute, you're not. You have to be forward-thinking and have your next five years planned out.
Anything else you would like for people to know, or take away from your entrepreneurial story?
This sh*t isnt easy! You have to stay focused, self-motivated and work VERY HARD. Also having a community of like-minded entrepreneurial friends is a necessity. I love my tribe of entrepreneurial friends, because we can bounce ideas off each other, collaborate, share resources and vent.
For more of Candice and CandidArt, follow her on social: @candid_art.
- Closetista presents CanDid Art designer Candice Cox - YouTube ›
- Candice Cox - Owner - CanDid Art Accessories | LinkedIn ›
- Candice Cox - CanDid Art ›
- CanDid Art (@candid_art) • Instagram photos and videos ›
- Closetista presents CanDid Art designer Candice Cox - video ... ›
- Black women entrepreneurs find strength in creativity - SFChronicle ... ›
- CanDid Art - CanDid Art Accessories ›
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What made it even more special? We were back in the place where we first fell in love, now creating new memories in the same sun-drenched paradise. From booze cruises, pickleball matches, and wellness shots, to alluring late-night jacuzzi rendezvous, soul karaoke, and far too much champagne mixed with tequila, to really good jerk chicken and repeat-visit-worthy Asian cuisine, bae and I had a time.
Couples Negril And Couples Swept Away: Twins On The West Coast Of Jamaica
And it’s fitting that we visited in June (which is considered low season—a time when there are less travelers and better deals) because these sister resorts are like Gemini twins that embody two distinct sides of the same spirit.
Set between Negril and Hanover, Couples Negril is the social butterfly, full of energy and artistic flair; Couples Swept Away is the introspective dreamer, grounded in nature, wellness, and tranquility.
While they’re quite opposite in vibe, they’re united by a shared history and reflect the classic Gemini duality: light and shadow, play and peace, expression and reflection.
Bae’s Favorite: Chic, Modern, And Cozy At Couples Negril
Couples Negril Suite
Courtesy, Couples Negril
Bae’s favorite was Couples Negril—which has more than 230 rooms and spans 18 acres—for its mix of entertainment, modern minimalist vibes, and a diverse crowd of couples. He especially loved Otaheite Restaurant with its low-lit red velvet love seats and dishes meshing luxury with traditional island flavors (like the merlot stewed rabbit served with coconut polenta and the filet mignon with the jerk glaze.) And he lives for hearing me sing, so the piano bar was our jam.
We also spent lots of time at the beach bar, one of five on the property, snacking on fish tacos and sipping margaritas just steps from our suite.
We saved the rum for the included catamaran cruise (book ahead!), which came with endless punch and views of Negril’s West End—a fave spot of ours. Couples Negril made the all-inclusive life feel surprisingly easy and fun.
The property also features a treehouse spa, two pools, four jacuzzis, an au naturale beach (whew, chile!), and sports facilities. Everything was easy to access—the layout felt cozy and well-organized, making it simple to move between activities and amenities. At this resort, you can really have some grown-and-sexy fun without it feeling like a raunchy spring break episode of Couples Gone Wild.
My Favorite: Private, Classic Charm, & Nature Mystique At Couples Swept Away
Couple's Swept Away Suite
Courtesy, Couples Swept Away
While I loved Couples, once we stepped over to Couples Swept Away, the lush nature set on 19 acres won me over. This twin, which has 312 suites, 7 restaurants, 8 bars, 3 pools, 5 jacuzzis, and a spa, leans into intimacy and seclusion, and I felt like we had more privacy and room to explore–just the two of us—at this property. The rooms are rustic-luxurious, dressed in island cedar, with classic shutters and expansive verandahs that have hammocks where you can enjoy bright flora, the sounds of exotic birds, and the sea views.
The absence of TVs—along with its tropical fantasy allure— meant a 10 out of 10 experience for me. This resort invites couples to breathe deeper, slow down, and truly get to the core of intimacy, all within the hum of nature.
There were hidden enclaves with dipping pools, jacuzzis, open-air cafés, and quiet corners where you can sit by ponds filled with fish and bird watch (or have a little sneaky link with bae!)
One of my favorite stand-out amenities at this resort: the 10-acre fitness complex just a short walk across the road from the main property where I’d have my early-morning me-time while bae slept in. It has 10 tennis courts, squash and racquetball courts, a fully equipped gym, and a wide range of wellness and fitness classes are held there. I also enjoyed turmeric and ginger shots at the wellness bar.
Other standouts for food and nightlife included Lemon Grass (where you can enjoy Asian-inspired food and listen to the live music coming from downstairs), the chic Patois Bar (which was the late-night hotspot overlooking one of the pools and serving your usual bar fare like burgers and quesadillas—felt like we were at a Miami nightclub), and the Aura Bar (where bae sang with a quintet of other slightly drunken men and where we did the cliche but super-lit millennial couple thing: danced the night away to Top 40 hip-hop, salsa, and rock classics).
The Patois Bar
Courtesy, Couples Swept Away
Baecation Tip: Just be sure your partner packs a few linen or dress pants, loafers or soft dress shoes, and a few button-down shirts for the restaurants that require reservations. Also book your table and all-inclusive excursions in advance (or on the first day you arrive at the resort).
All in all, this resort-hop wasn’t the stifling, prison-in-paradise all-inclusive experience I remembered from the Jamaica family vacations of my youth. It also wasn’t the stereotypical AI disaster of bland food, lackluster customer service, and senior citizen activities that many complain about on social nowadays.
Both resorts offered a fresh take on luxury, great food, and good vibes—all without losing the intimacy we craved. All-inclusives might not be our every trip vibe, but for this chapter? It was exactly what we needed, and we look forward to making repeat bookings at both Couples Negril and Couples Swept Away in the future.
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