We were lucky to catch up with Moira Gilbert recently and have shared our conversation below.

Moira, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

My idea for Olive & Ziggy Personal Home Decluttering and Organizing began during Covid! I was acutely aware of how many more things we as a family were ordering online and forever seeing courier trucks driving up and down our road dropping packages. At the same time so many people were suffering, loosing their livelihoods and unable to get access to necessities. I began to think of all the things people collect and what I could do with the skills I have learnt to start a new venture. With a background in fashion merchandising, helping people thoughtfully edit, declutter and organize seemed like a natural fit. I have for years volunteered at Women and Children’s shelters when able and a key part of my business model is to repurpose what people no longer want or need. It really is a win win situation where my clients reclaim space, peace of mind and a sense of freedom and everything removed is either donated or recycled which reduces waste whilst benefiting those most in need.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Born and raised in the beautiful English moorlands of North Yorkshire, I spent my early career in contemporary women’s fashion, consulting for leading brands in Europe, New York, and Los Angeles. Now, I’m happily settled near Topanga Canyon with my husband and teenage daughters in our California meets English rose garden home.

Over the years, I’ve come to realize the importance of having the time and space to focus on what really matters in your life. I’m a big believer that putting your ‘space’ in order can dramatically enhance your well-being. I started Olive & Ziggy this year, a one-on-one professional organizing and lifestyle company offering simple, functional, and sustainable solutions to streamline and declutter your home.

With a fashion background and a keen sense of style, the closet is the obvious space to start! I understand how emotional a process decluttering can be and am here to help clients along the journey to a home that is uniquely them and which creates harmony and peace of mind.

‘All you need is less’ is something that resonates with me and with a world in which we are constantly consuming, sustainable reuse is key. With this in mind, I work with local women’s and family charities to ensure that everything taken out of a client’s space is donated or recycled. In addition, a percentage of the proceeds are donated to charities that support homeless women and children, in particular women attempting to get back on track and reenter the workforce.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I was fortunate to have a long, rewarding career in fashion sales and merchandising which was my dream from being a teenager. As a working woman things changed over the years, especially after having two daughters and trying to manage working with international clients traveling continuously throughout the seasons. I knew that at a certain age it would be time for a complete change around and when that day came I made a huge leap of faith and started making cocktail mixers with my friend in Topanga! Muddle & Wilde was a huge success which unfortunately hit a wall when Covid made its first appearance and changed the landscape completely for our clients in food and hospitality. It was such a disappointment but as they say, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going!”. Being flexible, adventurous and open for newness is key and I believe often you just have to look for the signs. Being able to reinvent yourself is both scary and exciting and thinking where I can take my business invigorates and activates me.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

Personal recommendations are the most powerful business drivers so far. What I do is very personal, dealing with clients who struggle with their space and often find themselves overwhelmed with too much stuff and no time to spare. I take a warm, compassionate, and non-judgmental approach as everyone is different and has unique needs. This service is very much about the mental well being of my clients whereby being in an organized space encourages a sense of calm and purpose, alleviates stress, can improve productivity, and hopefully inspires creativity!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.oliveandziggy.com
• Instagram: @olive.ziggy