By: Bethany Myers

Blue Atlas Marketplace launched in Spring 2020 online after nearly a year of planning and many years of dreaming. In June of 2022, the flagship store on Balboa Island celebrated its grand opening, as co-owners Susan Bush and Liz Canady excitedly opened the doors to the community. The two women have been friends for over 30 years - their bond first formed when they both married first cousins. Spending many years creating fun memories with family, Susan and Liz’s children grew up together in different parts of California. Both women admired each other’s careers and planned early on that when their kids graduated from college, they would begin their next professional endeavor together as a team. And their hopes surely have transformed into a reality. Through their corporate endeavors and parenting, Susan and Liz have fine-tuned the craft of leaving lasting impressions and memories with their clients, family, and friends.

About the Business

Blue Atlas Marketplace is a gift concierge business - from design to delivery, whether someone needs a personal or corporate gift for one person or one thousand, Blue Atlas Marketplace will create and customize a gift for any special occasion. This unique gift business takes the stress out of picking the perfect present, particularly for busy companies, realtors or anyone that wants to show appreciation to clients and/or team members to say “thank you” or just to extend a thoughtful gesture. As gifting is an important aspect of business, Blue Atlas Marketplace’s job is to create special, on-brand gifts to impress clients and team members.

Inspiration

One day while shopping and wine tasting in the Napa Valley, Susan and Liz stumbled upon several small boutiques that carried different gorgeous products, each with a unique purpose and story. A light bulb went off, as Liz and Susan realized the need of a highly-curated store that could showcase these gems (and other similar products) to make the gifting process easy, fun, and quick. Thus, Blue Atlas Marketplace was born! When starting Blue Atlas Marketplace, Susan and Liz felt that although they had fulfilling, wonderful careers, they also had so many experiences and ideas waiting to be unearthed that they couldn't wait to share them with others. They have always been the "go to" people when people asked what to gift a friend, client, family member or just about anyone - and jumped at the opportunity to share their passion with others.

What’s Unique about the Business

Blue Atlas Marketplace is different from other gift and home accessories companies with a personal approach to each and every gift that is created for the recipient. Blue Atlas Marketplace creates a branded experience for the client so that the gift feels "hand selected" with handwritten notes, customized packaging and delivery. In addition, a particular highlight of Blue Atlas Marketplace is their recently launched national gift registry, available online and in the Balboa Island store. With exquisite home decor items including hand blown glassware, beautiful charcuterie boards, everyday and special occasion tabletop items, cozy throws, and customization options - there truly are gifts for every couple. The gift registry has already become a great resource for local Newport Beach couples getting married as well as those abroad - the gifts from Blue Atlas Marketplace are special and unique and compliment any and all couples’ homes.

Business Philosophy

The philosophy of Blue Atlas Marketplace is that every gift is special to the recipient. For instance, when working with a realtor, Blue Atlas Marketplace will personally get to know the house that is being purchased or sold to get a sense of the owner's interests and design aesthetic, and will suggest custom gifts to go along with the style of the home and the characteristics of the client.

What to Know

As a "concierge service", there is no gift too big or too small for Blue Atlas Marketplace to track down. Although the space on Balboa Island may appear to be smaller, the availability of gifts is vast. There truly is a gift for everyone and even if not in the store, it can be sourced. The Blue Atlas Marketplace team consists of concierge directors within the Newport Beach area and even across the country.

About the Owners

Susan Bush has lived in Newport Beach most of her adult life after marrying another local, Blaine. Together, they enjoy raising their two football-loving boys who play at CDM and Mater Dei. An extensive part of Susan's work career before Blue Atlas Marketplace was with St. John Knits, where she worked in many executive roles within design, merchandising and management along with other exciting companies such as JudeFrances, Sloane Street and Apple, Inc.

Liz Canady is relatively new to Newport Beach, as she recently moved part time two years ago from Marin County with her husband, Mike - Blaine's cousin. Her business career was extensive over years, spanning from Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc., Conde Nast Publications and Bridal & Gift Promotions at Macy's/Bullock's. In addition, she co-founded Dune Road Designs.

Message for the Community

“We thoroughly enjoy finding and curating unique products and making them available to all. Whether it’s the upcoming holidays, birthdays, hostess gifts, or other special events, we always look forward to finding the perfect gifts every time!” - Susan and Liz

Blue Atlas Marketplace | Owners Liz Canady and Susan Bush

www.blueatlasmarketplace.com | gifts@blueatlasmarketplace.com

321 Marine Avenue Balboa Island, CA 92662