Our last Meet a Mom interview of 2020 is with Muffy White, Gloucester mom and owner of Muffy White Organizing & Styling. I’m sharing this just in time for the New Year, when our minds often turn to organizing, cleaning and purging, Muffy shares why it’s important to create organizational systems for your home that work and how she can help.
Where are you from originally and what town do you live in now?
I was born here, in Gloucester, but spent my formative years in Winchester. I went to college in Vermont, followed by 6 years of skiing and working in the mountains of Telluride, CO. I then got “serious” and worked in NYC for 5 years before returning to Gloucester with my husband.
How many children do you have and what are their age(s)?
Two great kids: Callahan, 14 and Harley, 11.
What’s your favorite family activity on the North Shore?
Long beach days in the summer…oh the sweet memories.
Where’s your favorite place to eat and/or shop on the North Shore?
I love to eat at home when my husband is cooking! And Duckworth Bistro any chance I can!
For shopping, I love the following:
For the house – Goodlinens on Main St. in Gloucester.
For my brain – The Bookstore on Main St. in Gloucester
For my fashion – Houndstooth Consignment (Hamilton) / Revel (Winchester)
For my bling – Wicked Peacock (in Rockport) / Pop Gallery in Gloucester
AND TRULY there are more in every category – I love to shop local and meet and collaborate with the owners!
Tell us a little bit about your background and how you got started as a professional organizer?
I have been organizing any space I could all my life, and I started it as a business almost 10 years ago. I began organizing closets in a, “What Not to Wear,” sort of way which expanded to all areas of home organization and currently to home staging and move management. I love it all and feel so lucky!
What’s your favorite part about helping local families get organized?
In my life, organization is a direct path to finding and feeling calm. Helping families simplify any aspect of their home will make space for them to enjoy more time laughing, relaxing, connecting and simply being. Living in an organized space and owning only what you need drastically cuts down on time spent cleaning and looking for lost items. (Read that again, LESS TIME CLEANING!!!) The impact is real and the potential is awesome.
How big or small are the projects you typically tackle for clients?
At MWOS we love ALL the projects: as small as a good system for your drop zone: keys, mail, backpacks and as large as top to bottom/whole house organization, or a cathartic closet edit. MWOS also helps clients get their homes ready to sell, move (pack and unpack). We work to find the solutions that you and your home need.
The biggest hurdle most homeowners face is “Where to Begin”…simple solution: Call MWOS! 917-743-0056.
Any tips for balancing work & motherhood?
I cannot say I am nailing this one yet. I am working really hard on doing my best to be my best right where I am. At work I give 100%. And then at home I focus in on that work – listening, playing and when I am really on it cooking! Sometimes I have to play catch up on work later at night or on the weekends – that is part of being an entrepreneur and I will take it!
I also have learned to ask for help, call in back-up and be honest with all my people all of the time (which goes directly into the next question!)
What is the best piece of mom advice you ever received?
Lead with love. Every conversation with my kids begins and ends with love.
What’s your favorite thing to do when you need some “me” time?
Picture this: ME: skiing, reading, drinking coffee and doing yoga ALL AT ONCE! This would be my nirvana.
Find out more about MWOS services at muffywhite.com and follow along with Muffy’s projects on Instagram @muffywhite_organizingstyling and Facebook @MuffyWhiteOrganizingStyling.