Some friendships seem destined from the start.

For Liz Canady and Susan Bush, friendship and family have been intertwined for decades. While many Newport Beach residents know them as the co-founders of Blue Atlas Marketplace on Balboa Island, their story is about far more than a successful business. It is a story rooted in family connections, lifelong friendships, shared experiences and a deep appreciation for the community they call home.

Over the years, their families have celebrated milestones together, raised children side by side, and built traditions that continue to shape their lives today. Their connection runs so deep that it often feels less like friendship and more like family.

"It's funny how connected our families have always been," Susan says. "The ties go back much further than either of us realized."

Early Roots and Beginnings

While both Liz and Susan eventually found their homes and callings in coastal California, their early lives shaped who they are today.

Susan’s journey began in the heart of the Midwest. Born in Iowa, her family moved to the desert landscapes of Arizona, where she spent her childhood years. However, a major pivotal moment occurred when her family relocated to Newport Beach and she enrolled at Corona del Mar High School. The vibrant coastal community made an indelible impression on her, establishing a lifelong connection to the area. It was also during these formative years that she met her future husband, Blaine, who grew up in Newport Beach. In fact, Susan and Blaine's relationship began thanks to a little encouragement from their mothers, who were friends and believed the pair would make a great match.

Meanwhile, Liz Canady was navigating her own path. Born and raised in the scenic vistas of Marin County, Liz grew up surrounded by the creative, artistic energy of Northern California. In a beautiful twist of parallel tracks, her future husband, Mike, also grew up in Marin County.

As they grew, both women pursued higher education that would later feed into their entrepreneurial futures. Susan headed to San Diego State University (SDSU), immersing herself in the fast-paced world of fashion merchandising. Liz chose the coastal beauty of the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), diving into political science and sociology. Though their paths were independent at the time, the stage was being set for a powerful collaboration and an unexpected connection. Neither could have known at the time how closely their lives would eventually become connected.

That connection extends across multiple generations. Susan’s husband, Blaine Bush, is a cousin of Liz’s husband, Mike Canady. Blaine’s mom, Bev Morphy and Mike’s dad, Richard Canady were brother and sister. Bev lived in Newport Beach for more than 50 years, before her passing three years ago.

Even more remarkably, the family ties go back further still. Susan's uncle was a fraternity brother of Liz's father-in-law and stood in his wedding in Iowa years before the families would eventually reconnect in Southern California.

Their shared family history has only grown stronger over the years. Their children, close in age, grew up together and remain close friends today.

Susan and Blaine raised their sons, Sam and Peter, in Newport Beach. Sam attended Newport Harbor High School before transferring to Mater Dei, while Peter attended Corona del Mar High School. Both played football throughout their school years and continued competing at the collegiate level before graduating from Notre Dame and Michigan.

Liz's daughter, Christina, attended USC, while her son, Bennett, graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder. This fall, Christina will marry Aaron Neil in Newport Beach at Our Lady of Mount Carmel, followed by a reception at Balboa Yacht Club, creating yet another chapter in a family story deeply embedded in the community.

While family has always been at the center of their lives, Liz and Susan also shared another common thread: a passion for beautiful products, thoughtful gifting and the creation of meaningful experiences.

Before opening their business together, both Susan and Liz built impressive careers in highly competitive corporate landscapes. Their individual professional success provided them with the exact toolkit necessary to run a modern, high-end retail business.

Susan’s career is a masterclass in fashion merchandising and corporate management. She spent a long, highly successful tenure at St. John Knits, a brand synonymous with luxury and meticulous craftsmanship. Working in merchandising and management, she gained important knowledge working with high-end fashion and operational efficiency. Eager to expand her creative horizons, she transitioned into the fine jewelry sector, working for prestigious brands such as Jude Frances Jewelry Design and Sloane Street. Her ability to identify what makes a product elite eventually caught the attention of tech giants, leading to a significant stint in product development for Apple.

Liz, conversely, built her career around the power of presentation, media and publishing. She began her professional journey at the legendary Conde Nast Publications, an environment that expects aesthetic perfection and trend awareness. Liz went on to oversee the wedding division of Macy’s/Bullock’s department stores. Her expertise in lifestyle curation eventually led her to Martha Stewart Living. She immersed herself in the gold standard of home, lifestyle and celebratory presentation, contributing her talents to brand partnerships and brand execution. Driven by an entrepreneurial desire, Liz founded Dune Road Designs, where she could directly create products and bring her unique design visions to life.

After years of conversations at family gatherings and holidays about doing something together one day, they decided to turn those discussions into reality by opening Blue Atlas Marketplace on Balboa Island. For Liz and Susan, the store represents much more than retail space. It’s the culmination of shared family histories, complementary talents and a joyful pursuit of finding and curating unique products. The store is a gift to those who find their way to its location on Marine Avenue on Balboa Island, where it is tucked into a welcoming space next to the iconic stand selling Balboa bars and frozen bananas. You’ll often find the women welcoming friends, longtime clients and tourists at the space, but they also have an online presence.

“The perfect gift every time,” is their slogan, and they strive to create just that. Working with clients to create customized projects for companies is incredibly rewarding for the friends, who also happen to be married to cousins.

Their mission has always been simple: help people celebrate life's special moments through thoughtful gifts and meaningful connections. Whether helping someone find the perfect hostess gift, creating custom corporate gifting programs, or curating products that capture the spirit of Newport Beach, they approach each interaction with care and attention.

The pair also partnered with designer Greta Harrison, creator of the Newport Nowhere brand, whose signature toile designs feature beloved Newport Beach landmarks and coastal scenes. Together, they have expanded the collection to include custom projects and destination-inspired designs that resonate with customers both locally and beyond.

What makes Blue Atlas Marketplace special is that it feels like an extension of its founders. Friends stop by to visit, neighbors pop in to browse, and visitors discover a space that reflects the warmth and welcoming nature of the community itself.

"We thoroughly enjoy finding and curating the unique products we love and making them available to others," the founders share. "Whether it's birthdays, special events, hostess gifts, or the holidays, helping someone find the perfect gift never gets old."

Life Outside of Work

Both women fully embrace the Newport Beach lifestyle.

A late afternoon Duffy ride through the harbor remains a favorite pastime. Long walks around Balboa Island, hikes through Crystal Cove, and watching the sunset at The Wedge are among the simple pleasures they continue to enjoy.

Outside of work and family commitments, Susan remains active through St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church and volunteers with local organizations. She also enjoys spending time on the golf course with her sons whenever the opportunity arises.

Liz, who now resides in Newport Beach, has quickly embraced all the area has to offer. She enjoys time at Balboa Bay Resort, traveling whenever possible, attending music festivals in the desert, playing pickleball and spending weekends with family and friends.

Although their interests vary, both women share a genuine appreciation for the people and experiences that make Newport Beach such a special place to live.

A Message to the Community

For Liz and Susan, Newport Beach represents far more than a place on a map. It is where lifelong friendships have been built, families have grown, and memories continue to be made.

With family roots in the community spanning more than five decades, they remain grateful for the support and connections that have enriched their lives both personally and professionally.

"The support, friendships, and sense of community here are incredibly special," they say. "It's what makes Newport Beach such a wonderful place to call home."

Their story serves as a reminder that some of life's greatest blessings are the relationships we nurture along the way. For Liz Canady and Susan Bush, those relationships have created a legacy of friendship, family, and community that continues to grow with each passing year.