Starting out in print sales in 1986, marketing expert Jan went on to work with interiors brands including Vymura Wallcoverings, Dorma and Fenwicks, before launching her own shutter business and working in fashion and sports. In 2017, she joined Sofology, and was appointed brand director in 2021. In March last year, she joined lifestyle interiors retailer Cox & Cox, as MD.
How might a child describe what you do?
Playing houses.
What’s the biggest long-term challenge you face?
Reaching new customers and introducing our brand to them with a bricks-and-mortar presence, so they can truly be immersed into a Cox & Cox world.
If you had 10 x your working budget, what would you spend it on?
Well, I’m not going to tell you that and open my bag of tricks – but let’s just summarise it with ‘brand excellence and resonance’.
What would be the title of your autobiography?
Hard Graft to Global Glamour.
What does ‘work/life balance’ mean to you?
It means being able to work in an environment where you are heard, are free to fail, free to try, whilst being mentored and supported, with just enough tension for growth, which then allows an easier transition to a balanced non-working life – the two can then meet perfectly.
Who’s been your most influential professional mentor?
Emma Dinnis – a retail legend and amazingly supportive person to boot, who pushed me and facilitated my growth, without me even realising. How good is that?!
What advice would you give your younger self?
Don’t be so serious, believe in yourself, and stop trying so hard (easy to say retrospectively, and you'll do it anyway!).
What’s been your best day in business to date?
OMG there’s soooo many! Obviously I’m super proud to be MD of Cox & Cox and excited about the future, but I think creating a visual direction for a product-led asset that the talented Sofology in-house team then further developed and shot in an office space over 2-3 days, that we then aired on TV, and for it to outperform our Helena Bonham Carter previous ad – that’s what gets me up in the morning!
What’s the biggest myth about our industry?
It’s boring … and slow. If that’s true in your company, you’re doing a lot wrong!
What should everyone in our industry either stop or start doing?
Stop having never-ending sales. Start behaving like a brand, with true values that resonate.
Where do you see the industry going in the next 5-10 years?
More sophisticated multichannel retail experiences and way better service levels (that’s a must within one year, never mind 5-10). But I do think technology will play a bigger part within our industry – beautiful and useful …
This interview was published in January's issue.
