From First-Time Founders to an Award-Winning Studio

How Candid Studios found financial clarity with striveX during their first year of rapid growth — a client case study.

Aimee & Lily Barrett, Founders of Candid Studios

Self-portrait studio · Headshots, brand activations & personal sessions · Notting Hill, London

2023

Founded in Notting Hill, London

Nov 2023

Joined striveX as their accountant

12K+

Instagram followers

Award-winning

Winner, Open Your Shop competition

Sisters Aimee and Lily Barrett founded Candid Studios in April 2023, bringing a self-portrait studio concept to Notting Hill, London — a space with no photographer, where visitors take control of their own photos using remote-trigger cameras and props. The business went on to win SaveTheHighStreet.org’s ‘Open Your Shop’ competition, and now works with corporate clients on headshot days and brand activations alongside personal self-portrait sessions, building an Instagram following of over 12,000. As first-time founders navigating rapid growth and their first investment round, Aimee and Lily needed more than compliance from their accountant — they needed clarity.

Watch Aimee & Lily Tell Their Story

We didn’t know what management accounts were at the start — once we closed our investment round, we realised that’s a really important document you need for board meetings!

Aimee & Lily · Co-Founders, Candid Studios

Since joining striveX in November 2023, striveX’s team has supported Candid Studios across bookkeeping, VAT, payroll, year-end accounts, corporation tax and ongoing management reporting — including strengthening the studio’s management accounts following an angel investment raise, so Aimee and Lily can stay focused on running a creative, values-led business while their numbers are taken care of behind the scenes.

Emma from our Business service team meeting with Aimee and Lily.

The Candid Studios shopfront.

Inside the Candid Studios self-portrait studio in Notting Hill, London.

Learning with you guys has been really fab — thank you for the patience, and the confidence you’ve given us.

Aimee & Lily · Co-Founders, Candid Studios