ABOUT MAI

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My name is MAI, born in Japan, where organization and tidiness are part of life. From a young age, I discovered that a clean, organized space brings peace and clarity, even amid chaos.

After traveling and living abroad, I began helping others understand how organized spaces impact mindset, health, and daily life. 

Returning to Japan, I became the “go-to girl” not only for organizing but also for helping foreigners navigate life in Japan—finding jobs, understanding culture, and acting as a liaison. I was often the person people relied on to help them settle successfully in a new country.

In 1999, I moved to Los Angeles to study Child Development. While studying, I also taught parents and caregivers how to discipline their children and organize their daily routines. My work was well-received, and I became popular among nannies and families from diverse backgrounds. Professionally, I was successful—but my personal life was very different. My marriage and blended family brought constant struggle. Outwardly, I smiled and appeared composed, but inside, I was lost, angry, and overwhelmed.

My home, which I kept perfectly tidy, became a mirror of my inner turmoil. I was angry, resentful, and exhausted. My stepdaughter’s sudden death threw our family into chaos, while my other stepchildren faced serious challenges with drugs and mental health. My husband’s health suffered under stress, and our family life felt unmanageable. I tried to escape, only to return, while my body and mind suffered more each day.

Then, I made a conscious decision to take charge of myself and my life. It was a bumpy road, but I committed to accepting and loving myself exactly as I am. This shift transformed not only my inner world but also my home and environment. I learned to listen to my true voice, to honor who I am, and to live authentically. This was the beginning of my true organizing journey.

But life had more lessons for me. In 2024, I was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer, and at the same time, my husband faced multiple near-death experiences due to his health. I thought I had learned how to be happy, how to manage life and relationships—but these events showed me that there was still more to learn. 

I realized that while I had been trying to act “okay” and appear happy, deep inside I was still struggling, and I hadn’t fully understood my husband’s own struggles and challenges.

Through these shared trials, something miraculous happened: our relationship deepened in ways I never imagined. Facing illness and mortality together brought us closer, teaching us true empathy, patience, and love. We grew to understand each other profoundly, and slowly, our bond transformed into a strong, loving, and joyful partnership.

Even now, I continue to learn and grow—but these experiences taught me a truth I now carry into my work: life is ever-evolving, and our homes and environments can reflect and support that journey. I share these lessons with my clients, helping them not just organize their spaces, but also transform their lives and relationships from the inside out.

I am Nancy Riordan. I’ve been organizing and helping people edit their homes for 15 years.  As a young kid, I was drawn to the peaceful feeling in my childhood home, created by my mother, the original minimalist.  Years later, 

I met a Japanese grandma, whose daughter had hired Marie Kondo (before she was a household name) to edit her New York apartment. “Instead of having ten serving platters, you only keep the two that you love”. 

I went home and spent 40 hours over the next few weeks, organizing our storage room which was full of junk.  But I didn’t accomplish anything.  I was depressed.  

Five years later, “the Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up” came out, and I understood my mistake.  

So I took everything of each category out, held each item in my hands to determine if they sparked joy, and in one day, I got rid of 80% of the items in there.  

I was hooked.  I love, really love the feeling of unhurried spaciousness that comes with a curated living space.  

I have been helping family, friends and clients ever since. 

Since working with Mai, I have come to love the 

“Swedish Art of Death Cleaning” as well.