Meet Carly Jean Brannon | Founder of Carly Jean Los Angeles

We had the good fortune of connecting with Carly Jean Brannon and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Carly Jean, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Starting CJLA began with a simple desire: to help women simplify getting dressed and make everyday life feel more beautiful and intentional. I saw how overwhelming closets could be, and I wanted to offer pieces that made life easier, not harder.

The most rewarding part has been seeing how much these pieces truly help women — giving them confidence, ease, and a sense of freedom in their day-to-day lives. And along the way, some beautiful overflow has happened too — like getting to fundraise, support causes we care deeply about, and donate clothing to women in need. That part has been such a joy!

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Carly Jean Los Angeles started with a few racks of clothes in a tiny shop and a big desire to help women feel confident, comfortable, and beautiful in their everyday lives. I wanted to take the stress out of getting dressed and offer timeless, versatile pieces that made life simpler, not more complicated.

What sets CJLA apart is that we’re not just a clothing brand — we’re a solution. So many women, in every season of life, feel overwhelmed by their closets and underwhelmed by their options. They don’t feel confident or comfortable in their own skin, and they feel like they have “nothing to wear.”

CJLA exists to solve that problem. We simplify the entire experience by offering intentional, versatile staples that work across all seasons — and for all body types, stages, and lifestyles. With just a few thoughtful pieces, women can build a wardrobe that feels effortless, beautiful, and truly reflective of who they are.

One of the things I’m most proud of is the way our community has grown. It’s not just a brand — it’s a group of women supporting each other, sharing real life, and cheering one another on. I’m also proud of the impact we’ve been able to make through fashion and outside of fashion — supporting causes, fundraising, and donating clothing to women in need. That wasn’t something I could have predicted when we started, but it’s been one of the greatest gifts of what we get to do.

Getting here definitely hasn’t been easy. There have been seasons of exhaustion, doubt, and many sleepless nights. But I’ve learned that building something meaningful takes time, a lot of prayer, and a willingness to keep showing up even when it’s hard. I’ve also learned that staying rooted in your mission — your why — makes all the difference when things get hard.

What I want the world to know is this: CJLA exists to make life easier, not harder. To help women feel beautiful in their own skin. To support families, to serve our community, and to make everyday life a little more intentional, more joyful, and more fun!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Oh, this is honestly one of the hardest questions to answer — because I love Los Angeles so much! I’m such a fan of the culture, the creativity, the diversity, and the beauty this city (and the surrounding areas) has to offer. If a best friend was visiting for the week, I’d want to give them a little taste of everything — the city, the beach, the mountains — because LA really does have it all.

We’d definitely start with a few nights at Calamigos Guest Ranch in Malibu. It’s tucked into 250 acres of beautiful property, and it’s one of my favorite places to rest and recharge. You could spend the whole day just enjoying the ranch — from a peaceful hike to a poolside lunch to a slow dinner under the trees.

Since Malibu is home for me, I’d have to take them to all our local favorites — SunLife for a strawberry matcha, Taverna Tony for the Greek salad and fresh bread, Café de la Plage for an omelet and salad, Nobu for a splurge and an unforgettable view, and Basqueria for the best sandwiches made by Chef Sebastian and a stop at their little specialty market. Malibu days with ocean views and good food are hard to beat.

We’d also plan a full day in Silver Lake and Sunset Junction — one of my favorite creative pockets of LA. We’d vintage shop, people-watch, wander, and eat our way through the neighborhood. Pine & Crane is a must for their incredible Taiwanese food. Salt and straw ice cream for the best of the best.

Another favorite stop is the Brentwood Country Mart — a day spent there always feels inspiring and nostalgic. We’d do a little exploring and grab brunch or lunch at Farmshop, and of course I’d make sure we get their incredible food and ready to go salads and sandwiches plus a vanilla latte — it’s my absolute favorite.

On Sunday, we’d hit up the Melrose Trading Post to hunt for vintage treasures and soak in the scene. And if we wanted a beautiful downtown moment to close out the trip, I’d book a dinner at Osteria Mozza — a timeless LA spot by Chef Nancy Silverton , with the most delicious food.

From vintage stores in the city to quiet mountain hikes + retreats to lattes on the beach — tIt has EVERYTHING, that’s the magic of Los Angeles. It’s cultured, it’s layered, it’s inspiring, it’s creative, it’s beautiful and it’s full of fun!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are so many people who’ve played a meaningful role in my journey, but I’d first have to shout out my parents. They modeled creativity and dreaming big in such a natural way — they always encouraged me to think outside the box, to not fear failure, and showed me hard work and dedication. That spirit shaped so much of how I approach both life and business.

And I couldn’t answer this without recognizing my husband, Chad. We’ve really built this together — from day one, he’s been a steady, strategic, and big picture force behind the scenes. We have some similar strengths, but also some very different strengths, and I think that’s part of what’s made this work. We’ve each brought what we’re uniquely wired to do and have created something far better together than either of us could’ve done alone. I’m deeply grateful for his belief, his vision, and the way he’s supported not just the business, but me as a wife, mom, and creative.

Website: https://www.carlyjeanlosangeles.com

Instagram: @carlyjeanlosangeles + @carlyjeanbrannon

Image Credits
Anna Christine Photography, Carly Jean Brannon