About
Who is behind Crisp Olive™?
A passion for style, creativity, and arrangements for as long as I can remember. Add to that: attention to detail + my Persian roots, Adobe Suite, and voila! The thread takes you to my designs. It’s fascinating how normal days of your life become a foundation for what you’ll do one day. The elements, the principles, colors, concepts, the whole design philosophy of Crisp Olive™ has been gradually taking shape without me realizing it. Hi, I’m Narges (nar + guess). I am originally from Tehran, Iran. Since 2013 - when I came to study in the States- I’ve lived in OH, UT, and FL. My unexpected life helped me grow my family, my skills, and my horizons. In 2022, I finally settled in Perrysburg, OH, with my charming Midwestern man, Brad. Together with Sophie Belle and Christian, that makes four of us in our Midwest corner of the world. I have grown Crisp Olive™ from gorgeously patterned collections of gift items to a creative studio and a curated store that hosts private social experiences for the stylish minds who read our newsletter.
What is Crisp Olive™?
The idea behind Crisp Olive™ came in 2019 when I resumed fashion school in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Back then I was a pregnant-with-Sophie-yours-truly. I have dipped my toes in interior design assistant jobs and was a Stella and Dot stylist for a couple of years. I reached a point where I wanted to grow something of my own. The real magic happened when I learned how to design my own fabrics through an online course. Stepping into the world of graphic design reconnected me with the hand for sketching and writing I had said goodbye to way back in my childhood in Iran. It was coming back to me full force. It was never my plan or my timing, you see… So I started dreaming, sketching, and writing copy for all my website content and defining my audience. Once I explored what I could do, it didn’t matter how exhausted I was. Through sleepless nights or unpredictable days of motherhood, I pushed through. Early on, all I had was naptime! Gold! There were many days of confusion, research, and despair. But not giving up. Eventually, one day the rose sketch that I drew on my iPad found its way onto a brooch. My tiny but mighty first-ever product on a website I had just finished designing without having a clue about how to do it. Cheers to all you creative mompreneurs out there who watched a bajillion online tutorials before the age of AI!
What will I find on Crisp Olive™?
I have introduced note cards, wax seals, gift wrap, phone cases, Pop Socket phone grips, and silk scarves through Crisp Olive™ boutique and a mom-of-two chapter of my life. I’ve heard beautiful comments and met incredible souls. Many shared your excitement upon finding my unique products every time I was at a trunk show. Then, select boutiques started carrying my line. I hopped on Faire to offer my products to tasteful wholesale buyers who shape the shopping experience of their unique-seeking customers. As I continued to grow, I introduced creative services such as branding, customer stationery, and private social events in an exciting space for the stylish minds who find all updates on our newsletter.
How did Crisp Olive™ evolve as you grew up in your creative entrepreneurship journey?
After several years of designing the pattern collections that all my products are dressed up in, along with figuring out my own branding and marketing from scratch, I was approached for rebranding projects. The collaboration felt meant to be and made me officially offer creative services for small business owners in branding consultation and execution. And not every small business owner, but those who understand good design and want standout brand identities that represent the premium brands they’ve grown from zero. You see, I have been there, and I absolutely enjoy helping define your business’s whys and values. For my clients, there is nothing more rewarding than seeing how their words translate into elements, layouts, and colors that will tell their brand’s story to the world.
Friends asked if Crisp Olive™ Studio could design one-of-a-kind cards that only belong to them. Thanks to Sophie and Christian growing, my heart and schedule had grown as well, in time to fit in custom stationery to the creative services I was offering. Imagine sending notes in crisp cards that have your initials. They are dressed up in a sophisticated artistry that’s uniquely yours. Now imagine a stack of envelopes in gorgeous colors with your address on them. Pleasure is in the details, and your stylish mind knows it. Am I right or what?
Then something truly magical happened! After a period of soul-searching, I found mental clarity and an actual physical space to leverage my passion for style and arrangements. It all came together as a curated collection of pre-loved fashion accessories, decorative objects, and design-led pre-owned furniture that was gathered and available for sale through private showings! I have been my own collector for years, as some of you might remember my antique store trips in every state I’ve lived in. Found treasures. This one talks to me like nothing else. I have cherished everything I have found and brought home to echo their story inside my world. I am more than ready to help you line your space with objects that have in them chapters you’ll soon be reading with a fresh set of eyes. You will never miss out on anything when you sign up.
How do you do it all being a mom?
Crisp Olive™ has infused a sense of joy into motherhood’s hard days for me. A role we happily choose, but one that comes with baggage. Sometimes it is too heavy to even dream you could take up other roles. Like that of a mompreneur. Or that of a “I-need-to-take-care-of-nothing-for-a-minute”. When you become a mom, everything is a give and take. The balance is to learn to be content with the imperfections and measure your dues on quality, not quantity. It’s learning what grace is and receiving it.
What type of people buy from Crisp Olive™?
I leave you with this: I design and curate for those who seek uniqueness. Those of you who are not afraid to let your taste do the talking. Those who appreciate a well-thought-out arrangement in your lifestyle, whatever it holds. Those who pay attention. Those who can spell out intention. You are who I call “the stylish minds”.
Yours truly,
