For Clarence “CJ” Jones, the art of bespoke tailoring is more than just a business — it’s a lifelong journey woven with threads of perseverance, faith and a deep-seated desire to make people feel like their best. From his early days as a basketball standout to becoming a go-to fashion designer for a roster of professional athletes and an array of Hollywood stars, the founder of CJ Custom Clothiers built his brand on a simple philosophy: The suit should speak for itself. “I moved to Memphis (from Chicago) in 1982, went to Manassas High School and played basketball there,” Jones said from his home in Hernando. “We went to the state tournament my senior year but lost in the first round.” This is an excerpt of this story. To read more, please click here and subscribe.