Brief Summary
In this episode, Jinger and Jeremy interview Chad and Carly Brandon, the couple behind Carly Jean Los Angeles (CJLA). They discuss Chad's acting career, Carly's journey into fashion and entrepreneurship, their shared faith, and how they balance business with their Christian values. They emphasize the importance of community, integrity, and prioritizing faith and family amidst the demands of a successful business.
- Chad's transition from acting to faith.
- Carly's early interest in fashion and thrifting.
- Balancing business success with Christian values.
- The importance of community and integrity in relationships.
Introduction
Jinger and Jeremy introduce Chad and Carly Brandon, highlighting Carly's clothing brand, Carly Jean Los Angeles (CJLA), and Chad's acting background, including his role on General Hospital. They express excitement about hearing their guests' stories, particularly how they integrate their Christian faith with their entrepreneurial pursuits.
Chad's Acting Career & Faith Journey
Chad shares his background, starting in Houston, Texas, and moving to Hollywood in 1999 to pursue acting. He quickly found success, landing guest spots and eventually a role on General Hospital for four years, even winning an Emmy. Chad discusses a pivotal moment where, just before finishing General Hospital, he experienced a true conversion to Christianity through a conversation with friends, leading him to re-evaluate his life's priorities.
Carly's Background & CJLA Origin
Carly shares that she is from Los Angeles, with a mom who is an artist and a dad who is a musician. She felt destined to do something creative. Growing up in LA, she felt it was a land of possibilities and was surrounded by creativity.
Carly's Early Interest in Fashion & Thrifting
Carly discusses her early interest in clothing, influenced by her grandmothers—one a talented seamstress and the other with great natural style. She learned about fabrics, textures, and appreciating quality and unique items. She felt at a young age that she wanted to do something in clothing.
Carly's Early Business Ventures
Carly shares that she started junior college but dropped out quickly because she wanted to start a real business instead of a fake one for class. She called her mom and suggested they open a store together.
Opening of Carly Jean Store
Carly and her mom opened a small 400-square-foot shop in Burbank called Carly Jean. They had no social media or advertising, relying on word of mouth. The store was located in Magnolia Park, near studios like Warner Brothers and NBC, which attracted costume designers and actors.
Carly's Love for Thrifting
Carly shares her lifelong love for thrifting, recalling how her grandmother would drop her off at thrift stores to scour for vintage designer items. She would call her from a pay phone to get picked up. She would shop on senior day for extra discounts.
Carly & Chad's Love Story
Carly and Chad met at church, where Carly was on high school staff and Chad was in the singles ministry. Friends tried to set them up, giving Chad two options of girls to work with. Despite an initial setup where Chad was seated next to another girl, he and Carly were drawn to each other. They quickly realized their connection and were married within ten months.
Carly's Faith Journey
Carly shares that she got saved young and grew up in a home that wasn't traditional. She is grateful for her life, experiences, and walk with the Lord. She grew up going to a Christian school and heard God's word all the time. She saw the contrast between God's word and her home life, which solidified her faith.
Chad & Carly's Pursuit of Faith &
Carly felt comfortable with Chad because of how known he was in the church. They both sought the Lord and accountability. She could see that Chad was faithfully pursuing godly men to hold him accountable.
Chad's Involvement in Church & Christian
Chad had quickly gotten plugged into the church and was serving there. He had also gone back to finish his degree in Christian ministry. He felt he wanted to know more of God's word.
Chad & Carly's Relationship & Commitment
Chad and Carly recall a conversation at the House of Pie where Chad defined their relationship, stating he would either be like Tom Cruise on the red carpet or a missionary in a jungle, and asked if she was okay with either path. Carly affirmed her commitment to following the Lord with him, regardless of their circumstances.
Importance of Community & Integrity in
Chad and Jeremy discuss the importance of community in relationships, emphasizing that dating should happen within a community to ensure the person has integrity. Chad highlights that marriage is challenging because both individuals are sinful and selfish, so it's important to find someone willing to work through those challenges with the right tools, rooted in serving and submitting to Christ.
Balancing Business Success & Church
Carly acknowledges the challenge of balancing business success with serving in the church, especially as a mother and entrepreneur. She credits Chad's leadership in prioritizing church attendance and setting an example for their children. She emphasizes that everything belongs to the Lord and that they should honor Him by putting Him and the church first.
Chad & Carly's Journey to Parenthood
Jinger asks about Chad and Carly's decision to have kids and how they managed the shop with children. Carly reveals that she got pregnant within their first year of marriage but lost a baby girl at almost 8 months. She then had her oldest son, Hudson, soon after.
Chad & Carly's Early Marriage & Faith
Carly shares the difficult experience of losing their baby girl early in their marriage, noting that it strengthened their faith and drew them closer to the Lord and each other. Chad adds that it made them a very old couple very quickly and that the church community supported them during that time.
Carly's Thrifting & Sourcing Journey
Jinger asks how Carly sourced clothes for her boutique with little kids. Carly explains that she carried local designers and brands, buying samples from manufacturers because she didn't have enough capital to buy full runs. She also had people bring in curated items.
Carly's Unique Taste & Style
Chad praises Carly's incredible taste, noting that she can find something and make it special. He jokes that people want to know everything about her because they want what she has. He says that her taste has stayed consistent as the business has developed and matured.
Carly's Transition to Sourcing Own Stuff
Jinger asks how Carly transitioned from sorting through Goodwill bins to sourcing her own stuff and starting her own clothing line. Carly explains that she didn't grow up with a lot and that every piece has been slowly built and grown. She says that it was resourcefulness and learning in unique situations.
Carly's Philosophy on Timeless Style
Carly shares her philosophy on timeless style, emphasizing the importance of building a closet and creating a home with pieces that are beautiful, neutral, and of excellent quality. She believes in layering and mixing items to create a system and rhythm that can carry throughout seasons.
CJLA's Community Impact & Donations
Carly shares that CJLA is more than clothes and that they are able to do cool things with what they sell. As a Christian company, they are able to allocate funds to things they are passionate about. They donate to pregnancy resource centers and support Christian companies.
Carly Jean Los Angeles (CJLA) Experience
Jinger recounts her experience attending a CJLA tent sale, describing the massive tent, long lines, and enthusiastic customers. She notes the community aspect, where strangers offered to help her carry her kids. Carly shares that CJLA is more than just clothes and that they are able to do cool things with what they sell.
Conclusion & Reflections
Jinger and Jeremy thank Chad and Carly for sharing their story and introducing Carly Jean Los Angeles to their listeners. They commend them as an exemplary couple. Chad and Carly express their gratitude for the opportunity to share their journey.
