Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Gardner
Hi Stephanie, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hi! I’m Stephanie, the self-proclaimed Creative Queen at Candid Creative. I’ve always been passionate about creating experiences that leave a lasting impact. My journey as a business owner began when I founded Pretty Lovely Events in 2011, an event planning company I ran for a decade. From weddings and parties to large-scale festivals and corporate events, I built a reputation for crafting unforgettable moments.
During that time, I had the opportunity to serve as Downtown Director in my hometown of Durant, OK, where I fell in love with not just planning events but helping small businesses grow and revitalizing communities. I started working more with brands and businesses, bringing their stories to life through experiences and events, and soon realized that my passion had expanded beyond traditional event planning.
That’s when I made the decision to pivot and rebrand as Candid Creative in 2021—a marketing and event agency focused on creating immersive brand experiences. Now, I get to blend my expertise in event design with strategic marketing, helping businesses craft meaningful messages that truly connect with their audience.
Creativity, strategy, and an entrepreneurial mindset have always driven me. I’m obsessed with thinking outside of the box and I encourage others to do the same. Beyond Candid Creative, I co-founded The Launch Ladies in 2024, an online community where I mentor women business owners on how to elevate their brand, market themselves well, and grow their businesses intentionally to support the lifestyle they want- whatever that looks like. My journey has been one of evolution—learning, adapting, and embracing new opportunities—but at the heart of it all, I remain focused on creating moments that matter and helping fellow businesses thrive.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Oh, absolutely not. But if it were easy, everyone would do it, right?
Running my first business, Pretty Lovely Events, taught me so much—the hard way, at times. One of my biggest lessons? Charge what you’re worth. In the beginning, I underpriced myself because I thought that’s what I had to do to book clients. Spoiler alert: That’s a fast track to burnout. I also learned the importance of hiring real employees instead of relying on friends and family for free labor. Mixing business and personal relationships like that can lead to tension, exhaustion, and a whole lot of awkward group texts.
For me, reputation and networking have been everything. Building trust, delivering high-quality work, and putting myself in the right rooms (even when they intimidated me) have been game changers. When I pivoted to Candid Creative in 2021, I took a risk—I didn’t market myself for three years. No social media, no website. And yet, my business stayed fully booked, all because of the reputation I had built and the relationships I had nurtured. Eventually, I rejoined society online, but it was proof that word-of-mouth and trust still matter more than a perfectly curated Instagram grid.
When I first started Pretty Lovely Events, event planning wasn’t really a thing in my rural area, so half my job was educating people on what I did and why it was worth paying for. That experience taught me that collaboration beats competition every time. Some of my best vendor relationships—and now lifelong friendships—are with people I could have seen as competition. Instead, we helped each other out, shared resources, and built something bigger together. I’ve always believed that if you focus on your own strengths and style, the right clients will find you. And if you don’t have something a client needs? Know someone who does. There’s so much value in being the connector—the one who can pull the right talent together to create something incredible.
The same goes for hiring. Never be afraid to hire someone smarter than you. Or younger. Or someone who can explain TikTok trends without rolling their eyes. Maybe make them sign a non-compete (because, you know, business), but never be afraid of bringing more talent to the table.
Most importantly, never stop challenging yourself. Put yourself in rooms that make you nervous. Then prove yourself—to them, but more importantly, to you. Eventually, that next big opportunity won’t seem so scary. I still push myself to take on projects that stretch my creativity because staying comfortable isn’t an option. I like a challenge.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
At Candid Creative, our goal is simple: create brand experiences that candidly connect our clients with their audience. We don’t do boring. We don’t do forgettable. We craft trend-worthy concepts that get people talking, spark real engagement, and turn casual observers into raving fans.
We specialize in marketing, brand activations, and events, blending creativity with strategy to help brands stand out. Whether it’s social media, influencer campaigns, decor installations, or immersive experiences, we design moments that leave an impact. Marketing magic is kind of our thing.
What sets us apart is the way we operate. Candid Creative is a boutique marketing agency with a freelance-first model. That means every project gets a custom dream team—a curated mix of the best creative talent, tailored specifically to your brand’s needs and vibe. No cookie-cutter campaigns, no rinse-and-repeat strategies—just bold, out-of-the-box marketing that gets results. Not to mention- there’s less overhead for our clients.
Our network is made up of incredibly talented creatives from around the world, all united by a passion for crafting experiences that inspire action (and, honestly, just bring people joy). We’re based in southeastern Oklahoma but work with clients anywhere—if you’ve got the internet or an airport, we can make it happen.
As Creative Director, I’m the main point of contact for every client, overseeing the vision, managing budgets and timelines, and ensuring everything we create is a perfect representation of their brand. Clients think of me as their new business bestie and secret weapon—the one you don’t want to live without.
What I’m most proud of? The ability to evolve as an entrepreneur while staying true to my passion. From weddings in the early days to full-scale brand activations, I’ve adapted my business to match my strengths and the phase of life I am in, help others grow, and create experiences that actually mean something. At the end of the day, that’s what fuels me—using my talent to make an impact, bring joy, and turn big ideas into reality.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
What’s not to love about Dallas? It has southern charm but the creative energy of a major metro, making it an incredible place for both collaboration and opportunity. The talent here is unreal—whether it’s vendors, artists, or big brands, there’s no shortage of inspiring people to work with. Plus, let’s be real, Dallas has some amazing restaurants and ridiculously cute, Instagram-worthy spots.
If I had to pick something I dislike? Sometimes vendors from outside the immediate Dallas area—like me—are seen as “too far away.” But 90 miles straight down the highway? That’s nothing. I love working with Dallas brands and beyond, so don’t be afraid to reach out. Creativity knows no city limits!
Pricing:
- Our first consultation is free. Let’s chat about your marketing and event needs and we’ll create a proposal custom to you!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.candidcreative.agency
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candid.creative.agency/
Image Credits
Tamra Horner Photography
Brett Hicks
