The Girl Behind the Blog... okay, Woman... uh, how about Mom?

SO, it occured to me... if I'm going to make the most of this Blog and really attempt to identify with my readers/customers, then I'd better let you in on some information... perhaps some information about me! Everyone likes to know who they're talking to, or in this case, listening to!

Just like so many of you, I'm a daughter, a sister, a mother, a wife, a teacher... and so on, and so on. Now, I know what you're thinking... "Didn't you forget something?" Simply put... nope! I saved one special role for last. Sure, being a wife and a mother certainly have their way of taking the cake, but there is still something magical about being a granddaughter! This is a role I take great pride in, as a few of my most beloved grandmothers are no longer here to share in this relationship. As a granddaughter, especially to women of greatness who have already passed on, there is this indescribable need to fill their shoes, make them proud, expand their contributions to our family, etc. I can honestly say that I strive daily to do just that.

With that said, I am the proud Granddaughter of Mrs. Anna Mae Blake, founder of Blake Paper Company... now, Blake's Party Store. Anna Mae had an idea... a good idea... she wanted to start a party supply store! At the time, the industry was completely untouched! She opened up shop with the help of my grandfather and started her first store with a coffee can for a register. Her son and son-in-law joined the family business as well. Jim Stephenson, my uncle, is the manager for Blake's Party Store in Covina, California and my father, Randy Blake, is the manager for the Blake's Party Store in Rancho Cucamonga, California. Those are our only two stores... and 37 years later, those stores carry out my grandmother's wild ideas!

37 years is a long time to stay in the game... especially a game being played by the "Big Boys" like Wal-Mart and Party City. Of course they are just two of the MANY stores that want a piece of the party supply pie. Now, we could just roll over and call it quits with the way competition is these days... but remember those shoes I've got to fill? My grandmother hatched and raised Blake's Party Store... and 37 years later we still offer the best discounts around, the best one-on-one service there is to be had (ask anyone who has ordered Wedding Invitations from us), and that family-owned feel... I'm not letting go of a darned thing!

My name is Candice and I'm here to bring Blake's Party Store to the next level... you know, the Internet! Perhaps we're a little late coming, but nonetheless, I just know that Anna Mae is smiling... her hard-headed determination has been found... and I intend to put it to good use!