Claire Ross-Brown is an English actress, businesswoman, and philanthropist with extensive experience in both the entertainment industry and the business world. Launching her acting career at the age of 14, Claire quickly made a name for herself with appearances in popular English TV shows such as “EastEnders” and in feature films like “The Rainbow.” Her expertise also spans the financial sector, where for over 30 years she has been a pivotal figure, providing advice to industry leaders including Cashworks, Goldman Sachs, and Credit Suisse on talent management, corporate partnerships, and strategic deal-making.In 2019, armed with a deep understanding of modern business and financial practices, Claire founded CJ London, a luxury fashion brand known for its exceptional yet accessible “Timeless Classics” collections. Centred around the iconic “little black dress,” CJ London is committed to sustainability, using eco-friendly materials and processes to cater to fashion enthusiasts globally.
Company: CJ London
Claire Ross-Brown: I am the founder of CJ London a sustainable fashion company that I started after the idea originated many years ago at the start of my banking recruitment career. I feel my journey embodies diversity, adaptability, and success, achieved without a traditional academic background.My professional journey, however, began at 18 when financial necessity forced me into the workforce. Lacking a university education, I found myself underqualified for a job interview. While waiting in a busy, understaffed office, I took the initiative to answer phones and assist the CEO, inadvertently securing my first job. This act of resourcefulness launched me into a thriving 30-year career in the financial sector, where I have significantly impacted companies like Cashworks, Goldman Sachs, and Credit Suisse in talent acquisition, corporate alliances, and deal-making—all without the traditional degree deemed essential for such roles.Adapting to new countries, overcoming the language barrier, and starting from scratch was not an easy task. However, I overcame this, securing a starring role in one of Denmark’s leading TV sitcoms, acting in a language I had just learned. My role in the sitcom called “Klovn” (in English this translates to “Clown” led to me becoming a household name in Denmark. This rare combination of skill sets and determination has been my driving force, with my motto taken from “Nike”, which I love “just do it.”Born in London, I have worked across multiple industries, often needing versatile clothing that transitions seamlessly from day to night. This need led me to design and found CJ London—a brand offering essential wardrobe pieces made from comfortable, sustainable materials that do not require ironing. The perfect tote bag emerged from my quest for an elegant, practical, vegan leather accessory that could complement any outfit and suit any occasion.“My wish with CJ London has been to create pieces that are stylish, exquisite, and affordable. Classic styles that you can wear from day to night and, above all else, are timeless! I feel they are a great combination of past, present, and future fashion at its best, making them a ‘must-have’ in your wardrobe! With CJ London, you become your own living icon, shining in your own spotlight!” – Claire Julia, Founder of CJ London.
Claire Ross-Brown: CJ London is a sustainable fashion brand centred around the timeless little black dress and its complementary pieces. Our collections feature handpicked, stretch fabrics that are flattering, comfortable, and elegant. The philosophy behind CJ London is that your little black wardrobe can go anywhere, ensuring you always look and feel amazing. Our non-creasing fabrics make it easy to pack and travel, fitting perfectly into our Classic Tote bag or any bag you choose. With CJ London, style and elegance require the least possible effort. We call CJ London, Timeless Classics in an ever-changing world!
Claire Ross-Brown: I believe that employees are happiest when they feel their opinions matter and are integral to the team. When decision-making is collaborative and values their efforts and insights, they feel valued and motivated. Creating an inclusive environment where every voice is heard creates a sense of belonging and commitment.As a leader,I feel that listening and showing empathy are crucial to a company’s success. Effective communication skills are essential for creating a winning workplace. When leaders actively listen and care for their employees’ well-being, it builds trust and encourages open dialogue. Empathy helps understand employees’ needs, address concerns, and support their on going growth.In today’s changing marketplace, companies must adapt to stay competitive. Here are some of the key strategies I believe help to ensure employee satisfaction and market adaptability:Promote Continuous Learning: Encourage skill upgrades through training programs, workshops, and courses. This keeps the workforce agile and shows investment in their growth. Foster Collaboration: Create a culture emphasising teamwork and use tools that facilitate effective communication and project management. Encourage Innovation: Allow employees to experiment and innovate. Welcome and reward new ideas to stay ahead. Provide Flexibility: Offer flexible work arrangements like remote work options or flexible hours for better work-life balance. Recognising Contributions: Regularly acknowledge and reward contributions through recognition programs, bonuses, and promotions. Prioritising Well-being: Focus on mental health, physical fitness, and work-life balance with wellness programs and supportive environments. Stay Informed on Market Trends: Monitor market trends and involve employees in discussions about changes and adaptations. Maintain Transparent Communication: Be transparent about company goals, challenges, and achievements to keep employees engaged and committed. By prioritising these elements, companies can create a positive, engaging, and adaptive work environment that makes employees happy and positions the organisation to thrive.
Claire Ross-Brown: Yes, I do also believe that the the surge in online business will continue to grow across various sectors, including B2B, B2C, online shopping, virtual meetings, remote work, and Zoom medical consultations. As digital transformation accelerates, more businesses and consumers are embracing these technologies, leading to increased demand and opportunities.I feel that in order to capitalise on this tidal wave, at CJ London we are focusing on several key strategies:We are investing in our online platforms to provide a seamless and user-friendly experience for both B2B and B2C customers. This includes optimising our website, improving mobile accessibility, and utilising advanced analytics to understand customer behaviour better – The customer behaviour patterns is key for our business.The we look at expanding our e-commerce capabilities, we aim to cater to the growing demand for online shopping. This involves diversifying our product range, streamlining logistics, and offering personalised shopping experiences. We have to think outside the box here as well, due to limited marketing budgets and also offer one on one styling online or physical, which leads me to adopting virtual solutions, for example we are integrating virtual meeting tools and platforms to facilitate remote work and virtual collaborations. This allows us to maintain productivity and connectivity with our teams and clients regardless of location.We are embracing remote work as a long-term strategy, providing our employees with the tools and resources needed to work efficiently from anywhere. This not only enhances employee satisfaction and flexibility but also allows us to tap into a global talent pool where we can access great people all around the world.To stay ahead of the curve, I always try to encourage innovation and agility within our organisation and truly listen to what my employees are saying This involves investing in new technologies, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, and remaining adaptable to market changes.By implementing these strategies, we are well-positioned to leverage the ongoing surge in online business and continue our growth trajectory in the coming year.
Claire Ross-Brown: The current challenge is competing with larger, established brands with far greater marketing budgets, than we have. This requires us to adopt innovative and creative strategies.We are focusing on several key initiatives. These are for example; Social media and creating engaging, organic content and leveraging influencers to build authentic connections. Community engagement and building a loyal community through interactive events, forums, and exclusive content to drive word-of-mouth marketing. Content marketing and producing high-quality content like blogs, videos, and podcasts to position ourselves as thought leaders. Personalised marketing, where we use data analytics to deliver tailored marketing messages and offers. Sustainability and ethics and really highlighting our commitment to sustainability and ethical practices that we use, to attract and retain conscious consumers. By implementing these strategies, we can compete with larger brands and continue to grow our business, albeit at a slower rate than perhaps I would like. Currently I am focussing on further investment that would truly help us to accelerate our growth and this would speed up the process.
Claire Ross-Brown: Yes, in my experience it is the lack of action and speed at which decisions and action plans are carreid out. The beauty with start ups is that compared to the more corporate setting, everything relies on adaptability in a split second – for example when we launched CJ London one week before the entire country closed down due to Covid – I needed to re-think our entire launch and marketing campaigns and even storage of our stock – I had re-built storage at my home, so orders could be done more efficiently – and luckily due to me living in a large house with a separate part of it – I was able to create a “home showroom” where virtual showings could be seen and a place on site where all orders could still be sent from.
Claire Ross-Brown: Fun question for sure – It would be the power of instant global travel. Being able to fly to different countries quickly would allow me to make our brand truly visible on a global scale. I would use this superpower to attend key industry events, meet with international partners, and understand diverse markets firsthand. By rapidly connecting with local influencers, customers, and business leaders, I would be able to foster strong relationships and adapt our strategies to suit each unique market, truly understanding them by being on the “ground” so to speak and ensuring our brand’s global growth and visibility.
Claire Ross-Brown: Success for me in this coming year with regards to CJ London, would be to raise more financing and ideally collaborating with a much larger company that would enable us to share a platform that has already established a huge marketing access to gaining more brand awareness and hence we would be able to increase our entire production line. Presently I have so many new designs on hold until we can achieve this. It would also enable us to grow in size, doubling our employees, which in turn would accelerate our growth and truly put us on the map of becoming a global brand. On a personal level, I will be launching a series of interviews with organisations that make a difference in the world and for me success would be helping them to get exposure and awareness for what they do. My vision has always been to help create a world, with what I call sublime equilibrium which for me, means more balance and peace in the world.
Company: CJ London
We are thrilled to have you join us today, welcome to ValiantCEO Magazine’s exclusive interview! Let’s start off with a little introduction. Tell our readers a bit about yourself and your company
Claire Ross-Brown: I am the founder of CJ London a sustainable fashion company that I started after the idea originated many years ago at the start of my banking recruitment career. I feel my journey embodies diversity, adaptability, and success, achieved without a traditional academic background.My professional journey, however, began at 18 when financial necessity forced me into the workforce. Lacking a university education, I found myself underqualified for a job interview. While waiting in a busy, understaffed office, I took the initiative to answer phones and assist the CEO, inadvertently securing my first job. This act of resourcefulness launched me into a thriving 30-year career in the financial sector, where I have significantly impacted companies like Cashworks, Goldman Sachs, and Credit Suisse in talent acquisition, corporate alliances, and deal-making—all without the traditional degree deemed essential for such roles.Adapting to new countries, overcoming the language barrier, and starting from scratch was not an easy task. However, I overcame this, securing a starring role in one of Denmark’s leading TV sitcoms, acting in a language I had just learned. My role in the sitcom called “Klovn” (in English this translates to “Clown” led to me becoming a household name in Denmark. This rare combination of skill sets and determination has been my driving force, with my motto taken from “Nike”, which I love “just do it.”Born in London, I have worked across multiple industries, often needing versatile clothing that transitions seamlessly from day to night. This need led me to design and found CJ London—a brand offering essential wardrobe pieces made from comfortable, sustainable materials that do not require ironing. The perfect tote bag emerged from my quest for an elegant, practical, vegan leather accessory that could complement any outfit and suit any occasion.“My wish with CJ London has been to create pieces that are stylish, exquisite, and affordable. Classic styles that you can wear from day to night and, above all else, are timeless! I feel they are a great combination of past, present, and future fashion at its best, making them a ‘must-have’ in your wardrobe! With CJ London, you become your own living icon, shining in your own spotlight!” – Claire Julia, Founder of CJ London.
If you were in an elevator with Warren Buffett, how would you describe your company, your services or products? What makes your company different from others? What is your company’s biggest strength?
Claire Ross-Brown: CJ London is a sustainable fashion brand centred around the timeless little black dress and its complementary pieces. Our collections feature handpicked, stretch fabrics that are flattering, comfortable, and elegant. The philosophy behind CJ London is that your little black wardrobe can go anywhere, ensuring you always look and feel amazing. Our non-creasing fabrics make it easy to pack and travel, fitting perfectly into our Classic Tote bag or any bag you choose. With CJ London, style and elegance require the least possible effort. We call CJ London, Timeless Classics in an ever-changing world!
Quiet quitting, The Great Resignation, is an ongoing trend causing many businesses to struggle to keep talent engaged and motivated. Most are leaving because of their boss or their company culture. 82% of people feel unheard, undervalued, and misunderstood in the workplace. In your experience, what keeps employees happy? And how are you adapting to the current shift we see?
Claire Ross-Brown: I believe that employees are happiest when they feel their opinions matter and are integral to the team. When decision-making is collaborative and values their efforts and insights, they feel valued and motivated. Creating an inclusive environment where every voice is heard creates a sense of belonging and commitment.As a leader,I feel that listening and showing empathy are crucial to a company’s success. Effective communication skills are essential for creating a winning workplace. When leaders actively listen and care for their employees’ well-being, it builds trust and encourages open dialogue. Empathy helps understand employees’ needs, address concerns, and support their on going growth.In today’s changing marketplace, companies must adapt to stay competitive. Here are some of the key strategies I believe help to ensure employee satisfaction and market adaptability:Promote Continuous Learning: Encourage skill upgrades through training programs, workshops, and courses. This keeps the workforce agile and shows investment in their growth. Foster Collaboration: Create a culture emphasising teamwork and use tools that facilitate effective communication and project management. Encourage Innovation: Allow employees to experiment and innovate. Welcome and reward new ideas to stay ahead. Provide Flexibility: Offer flexible work arrangements like remote work options or flexible hours for better work-life balance. Recognising Contributions: Regularly acknowledge and reward contributions through recognition programs, bonuses, and promotions. Prioritising Well-being: Focus on mental health, physical fitness, and work-life balance with wellness programs and supportive environments. Stay Informed on Market Trends: Monitor market trends and involve employees in discussions about changes and adaptations. Maintain Transparent Communication: Be transparent about company goals, challenges, and achievements to keep employees engaged and committed. By prioritising these elements, companies can create a positive, engaging, and adaptive work environment that makes employees happy and positions the organisation to thrive.
Online business keeps on surging higher than ever, B2B, B2C, online shopping, virtual meetings, remote work, Zoom medical consultations, what are your expectations for the year to come and how are you capitalizing on the tidal wave?
Claire Ross-Brown: Yes, I do also believe that the the surge in online business will continue to grow across various sectors, including B2B, B2C, online shopping, virtual meetings, remote work, and Zoom medical consultations. As digital transformation accelerates, more businesses and consumers are embracing these technologies, leading to increased demand and opportunities.I feel that in order to capitalise on this tidal wave, at CJ London we are focusing on several key strategies:We are investing in our online platforms to provide a seamless and user-friendly experience for both B2B and B2C customers. This includes optimising our website, improving mobile accessibility, and utilising advanced analytics to understand customer behaviour better – The customer behaviour patterns is key for our business.The we look at expanding our e-commerce capabilities, we aim to cater to the growing demand for online shopping. This involves diversifying our product range, streamlining logistics, and offering personalised shopping experiences. We have to think outside the box here as well, due to limited marketing budgets and also offer one on one styling online or physical, which leads me to adopting virtual solutions, for example we are integrating virtual meeting tools and platforms to facilitate remote work and virtual collaborations. This allows us to maintain productivity and connectivity with our teams and clients regardless of location.We are embracing remote work as a long-term strategy, providing our employees with the tools and resources needed to work efficiently from anywhere. This not only enhances employee satisfaction and flexibility but also allows us to tap into a global talent pool where we can access great people all around the world.To stay ahead of the curve, I always try to encourage innovation and agility within our organisation and truly listen to what my employees are saying This involves investing in new technologies, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, and remaining adaptable to market changes.By implementing these strategies, we are well-positioned to leverage the ongoing surge in online business and continue our growth trajectory in the coming year.
Business is all about overcoming obstacles and creating opportunities for growth. What do you see as THE real challenge right now?
Claire Ross-Brown: The current challenge is competing with larger, established brands with far greater marketing budgets, than we have. This requires us to adopt innovative and creative strategies.We are focusing on several key initiatives. These are for example; Social media and creating engaging, organic content and leveraging influencers to build authentic connections. Community engagement and building a loyal community through interactive events, forums, and exclusive content to drive word-of-mouth marketing. Content marketing and producing high-quality content like blogs, videos, and podcasts to position ourselves as thought leaders. Personalised marketing, where we use data analytics to deliver tailored marketing messages and offers. Sustainability and ethics and really highlighting our commitment to sustainability and ethical practices that we use, to attract and retain conscious consumers. By implementing these strategies, we can compete with larger brands and continue to grow our business, albeit at a slower rate than perhaps I would like. Currently I am focussing on further investment that would truly help us to accelerate our growth and this would speed up the process.
In your experience, what tends to be the most underestimated part of running a company? Can you share an example?
Claire Ross-Brown: Yes, in my experience it is the lack of action and speed at which decisions and action plans are carreid out. The beauty with start ups is that compared to the more corporate setting, everything relies on adaptability in a split second – for example when we launched CJ London one week before the entire country closed down due to Covid – I needed to re-think our entire launch and marketing campaigns and even storage of our stock – I had re-built storage at my home, so orders could be done more efficiently – and luckily due to me living in a large house with a separate part of it – I was able to create a “home showroom” where virtual showings could be seen and a place on site where all orders could still be sent from.
On a lighter note, if you had the ability to pick any business superpower, what would it be and how would you put it into practice?
Claire Ross-Brown: Fun question for sure – It would be the power of instant global travel. Being able to fly to different countries quickly would allow me to make our brand truly visible on a global scale. I would use this superpower to attend key industry events, meet with international partners, and understand diverse markets firsthand. By rapidly connecting with local influencers, customers, and business leaders, I would be able to foster strong relationships and adapt our strategies to suit each unique market, truly understanding them by being on the “ground” so to speak and ensuring our brand’s global growth and visibility.
What does “success” in 2024 mean to you? It could be on a personal or business level, please share your vision
Claire Ross-Brown: Success for me in this coming year with regards to CJ London, would be to raise more financing and ideally collaborating with a much larger company that would enable us to share a platform that has already established a huge marketing access to gaining more brand awareness and hence we would be able to increase our entire production line. Presently I have so many new designs on hold until we can achieve this. It would also enable us to grow in size, doubling our employees, which in turn would accelerate our growth and truly put us on the map of becoming a global brand. On a personal level, I will be launching a series of interviews with organisations that make a difference in the world and for me success would be helping them to get exposure and awareness for what they do. My vision has always been to help create a world, with what I call sublime equilibrium which for me, means more balance and peace in the world.
