Pro Q&A: Ziggy

Why Ziggy is a Pro

We chose Ziggy & Hannah, Sophie & Melanie, and Simon for Becoming a Pro because each of their stories captures what it truly means to build something of your own. All three have spent years learning their craft under others before taking the bold step to go out on their own — creating businesses defined by pride, skill, and independence. Their journeys show the real human stories behind professionalism: resilience, ambition, and the determination to make a living doing what they love.

What inspired you to start your own business?

Ziggy: I come from a family of construction workers. My grandad, part of the Windrush generation, started his own firm, and I spent my teens helping out on site with small jobs no one wanted. At the time, it was just a way to earn pocket money, but looking back, it’s a really sentimental memory.

Eventually, I drifted into hospitality, but I’d still get the occasional call from my grandad to come help out. Later, as a struggling single dad, I needed a way forward, so Hannah and I started our own business, My Decorators.

What are your roles in the business?

Ziggy: I handle the painting and decorating, while Hannah runs the business, managing all our clients, overseeing every project, and handling our social media accounts.

We collaborate on quotes together, but when we first started, we didn’t have a clue about quoting jobs. Hannah once had a bunch of decorators show up at her mum’s house just to figure it out. It was cheeky, but honestly, we didn’t know what we were doing!

What’s the best thing about running your own business?

Ziggy: The freedom. We can make our own decisions, grow at our own pace, and never have to ask for holidays.

And the biggest challenge?

Ziggy: Being reliant only on ourselves. We’re still figuring out how to scale the business, and it takes confidence to make decisions. We juggle a lot, put in long hours, sometimes staying up until 2 a.m. replying to emails.

How is it working with your partner?

Ziggy: It can be stressful at times because we approach projects differently and our ideas sometimes clash. But when we’re on the same page, we have fun and really enjoy the process.

During tough times, it’s reassuring to have each other. We can bounce ideas around, adapt, and improve because we’ve got each other to lean on.

What does being a professional mean to you?

Ziggy: Professionalism is everything. We want our clients to be happy with their choice to work with us. It starts with proper prep and cleaning up after ourselves. And the details matter. For example, if a previous painter left paint on the hinges, I’ll clean it off. Those small touches make a difference.

I’ve heard Hannah does spot checks. What’s that about?

Ziggy: She always does a spot check. It’s easy to miss things when a job is all you’ve been consumed by, so having a fresh set of eyes is really valuable, and I’d rather she catches it than the client.

How have you found using Zinsser products?

Ziggy: I always choose Zinsser. And I promise I’m not just saying that. They have a solution for every problem, from nicotine stains, to smoke damage, to water damage. I’ve never had a bad result, so it’s my go-to for a reason.

Do you have a favourite project?

Ziggy: One of our favourite projects was a client who wanted a copper patina rustic feature wall, done entirely with paint and chemicals rather than wallpaper. It was all about trusting the process, and by the end, it was the best job I’ve ever done. That project made us wonder if special effects and feature walls could become our niche.

What emotions do you get from a finished project?

Ziggy: It depends on the project. Plain white walls can be a snooze fest. But the jobs I love most are the ones where clients want something special, contemporary, or just something different. When those are finished, I step back and think, yes, nobody else is doing work like this. Those are the projects that really give me pride.