WORKSPACE TOUR: Olivia Moon From Nodi Rugs
Olivia Moon is the founder of Nodi Rugs, the beautiful NZ brand that has gained a cult status for creating high quality, natural, handmade rugs.
Olivia took us inside her beautiful showroom & workspace in Auckland, NZ & chatted to us about her brand, how she stays organised, her support network as a business owner & mother plus lots more.
First things first, how did it all begin & what was that light bulb moment when you decided to start Nodi Rugs?
I started studying at Massey in Wellington and left after 18 months to live in Milan to be an Aupair and explore Europe. After doing this for a year I decided to study again and enrolled at IED (Institute of European Design) studying textiles and Fashion design in Milan. I have always been drawn to tactile things - things that felt unique and interesting to the touch. For me, I often found fabrics were too flat and always found myself drawn to rugs for their textural weave. Ironically I failed weaving at university - it takes a very meticulous, patient person to be a good weaver - let's say I'm better with the big picture. It was through this (failed) experience that gave me a great appreciation for weaving by hand and just how much love and works goes into it. Then I spent six months living in India where I spent time in factories learning, observing and marvelling at the craftsmanship of our weavers to set up the business. I had a strong conviction that not was it rugs that I was going to make, but it was handmade, natural rugs that I would create. My admiration for the hand craft gets deeper the more rugs we make. Your jaw would drop if you saw the amount of work that goes into this craft. When I think back - I was given a rug by my first boss as a Christmas gift, and then another from my parents when I moved into my first flat, I had been subconsciously collecting rugs for a while before I started Nodi.
What have the highlights & challenges been to date with your beautiful brand?
Highlights?
Building a team, exhibiting in NYC with Resident, supplying rugs to Dropbox's head offices, working the best interior designers and architects in the country.
Challenges?
Navigating manufacturing in India, building a strong team, understanding new markets.
Being a business owner & also a mum, it's important to have an incredible support network around you. Who do you lean on?
My husband is a key person in my life for all types of support, he's magic. My family are also a huge support with my children, and my team at Nodi are the engine room behind it all.
How has your approach to life changed since starting your business & also becoming a mum? Is your strategy ever changing or have you found a winning formula that works for you?
Haha there's no winning formula, it's a constant juggle, especially as the children grow up and the needs of the business evolve. Since having children I definitely don't sweat the small stuff with the business anymore. It has forced me to have a really clear plan, and to stick to it. This provides clarity for both myself and the team when making decisions. I make sure my time with my children is focused on them and my time working is focused on work.
What would your advice be for the other young designers or business owners wanting to follow in your footsteps? Where do they start & what do they need to know?
Listen to your gut, it doesn't fail & just start. You don't have to have all the answers to start - learning on the job makes it exciting and interesting. Get good advice from experts in areas where you need it, you can't afford not to!
Where do you find your inspiration for Nodi Rugs? And what's your personal favourite piece currently?
What has been your biggest career highlight with Nodi to date?
What is the first thing you do when you get to the office?
We're obsessed with your workspace & studio - what essentials can we find in there that you can't live without?
What are the top 3 ways you organise your life?
What are your must-have desk essentials?
