JAN ANHALT

I’m Jan Anhalt—a designer, problem solver, and thinker. In my twenties, I built my menswear brand JYAN Denim while studying business and working as a fashion consultant. For eight years, I ran the company solo, reaching six figures with clients across Canada and Seattle.

In 2018, I closed the brand and left consulting to be with my brother in his final moments. That experience changed everything. I decided to move to Japan—a lifelong goal—and since 2019, I’ve been living and working as an ESL instructor in Tokyo. It’s been fulfilling, but my purpose has always been design.

As a self-taught entrepreneur and designer, my biggest gap has been user research—truly understanding user needs and solving for them. That’s bothered me, especially while teaching. A friend in product management suggested UX design, and after learning how Google approaches  UX design on their online course, I was hooked. The process of using evidence to build real solutions fascinates me, and that’s where I’m heading next.

To be direct: 2025 has been an incredily diffult year. Because of this my path in life is clear. I’m focusing fully on two goals—working in UX design and launching my luxury menswear label. Establishing my brand still matters deeply to me, so companies that support this goal have my full support in return.