In Conversation: CEE CLEAR

At Kate & Kole, we’re drawn to women who shape culture through intention — those who move with clarity, creativity and quiet confidence. Our In Conversation series explores identity, artistry and the role meaningful objects play in the lives we build, celebrating voices who value depth over noise.

In this edition, we speak with Morgan Tait and Kat Moses, the co-founders of CEE CLEAR — a brand shaped not by proximity, but by trust, intuition and a distinctly modern partnership.

Separated by continents yet grounded in shared values, Morgan (Sydney) and Kat (Los Angeles) have built a business that mirrors the lives they lead: considered, disciplined and deeply connected. Together, they balance ambition with ease, structure with instinct and independence with collaboration.

In this conversation, we explore how they navigate friendship and entrepreneurship across time zones, the rituals and perspectives that keep them grounded and the objects and practices that bring clarity both in business and in life.

MORGAN: Kat is incredibly decisive and such a natural risk-taker. Nothing is out of reach for her. That energy really anchors and elevates me. It pushes me to trust my gut, back my creative instincts, and just go for things without overthinking. Having someone like that beside a creative like me is invaluable. It shifts the way I move, make decisions, and bring ideas to life.

KAT: I never have to worry about Morgan underdelivering. She puts 100% effort into everything she does and is constantly trying to keep the brand fresh and creative. Morgan also keeps me calm when things are stressful - she’s actually very good in a crisis. She also receives constructive criticism of her work quite well, but only from me haha and it’s because we have a strong trust in one another.

MORGAN: Kat has taught me a lot about running a business, but the biggest lesson has been around boundaries, learning to say no, to stand my ground, and to find my voice in any room. When you have someone beside you who genuinely backs your ideas, embraces your quirks, and encourages your perspective, you build a different kind of confidence. She’s shown me how to trust myself more, both in work and in who I am.

KAT: Morgan has definitely taught me the importance of being protective of the brand and I strongly believe that has really helped me make crucial decisions for the business from an operational perspective. She has also forced me to re-evaluate my communication style in general - I can naturally be quite direct with my feedback so she has taught me that I need to tailor my communication to the person in order to get the best result.

MORGAN: For me, it all comes back to genuine respect, both personally and professionally. On a personal level, nothing matters more to me than Kat’s wellbeing. And professionally, she’s strong in the areas where I’m not, so there’s a real trust in each other’s judgement. When you respect someone deeply, you see decisions in the context of the bigger picture, not through emotion or ego. You don’t take things personally because you know you’re both fighting for the same outcome, each other, and the brand. The biggest advice I’d give is that partnership relies on communication. If it doesn’t come naturally, you treat it like any other skill: you practice, you work at it, and it becomes easier over time.

KAT: I’ve never actually felt like our friendship needed protection, I know that might sound naive but I do think we have quite a rare friendship that is almost sibling like. There is always a genuine respect for one another and willingness to listen and learn from each other. I think that helps a lot when we’re having disagreements or having to make big decisions. We both also trust that we want the best for each other so that’s always at the forefront of our minds.

MORGAN: I wouldn’t say I have strict boundaries when it comes to CEE CLEAR, when it’s your own business, you do what it takes. We have huge goals, especially with growing in the US, so I’m always willing to show up when needed. That said, Kat and I are mindful of each other’s time zones and lives, and we naturally check in before diving into anything big. But the truth is, if something needs to get done, we are both quick to action and support each other no matter the time. 

KAT: There are no boundaries and that’s just the reality of owning a business, especially in the early stages. If something needs to get done within a specific time frame then it just needs to get done. If we’re both on the verge of burnout then we definitely will let the other one know or most of the time, we’ll have to force the other one to take a break.

MORGAN: Movement is the reset. A walk, being by the water, a hike, a Pilates class, or even sitting in the sun. Anything that gets me out of my head and into my body is the best circuit breaker. It always brings me back to my creative flow.

KAT: Spending time with family and friends where work is not the topic of any conversation. I like to be completely distracted and taken into a different world. That can also come in the form of binge watching reality tv or going for a drive and just listening to a fun, pop culture podcast. Recharging for me doesn’t necessarily mean doing something relaxing but more so just completely switching my mind off from work.

MORGAN: I never saw myself as a business leader, but becoming a co-founder has shown me what I’m actually capable of. I’ve grown in ways personally and professionally I didn’t expect. I always knew I was a strong creative, but I didn’t fully trust my gut or back my own ideas until CEE CLEAR. Stepping into this role has given me a confidence I’ll always be grateful for. 

KAT: I think it’s changed me more so around seeing myself as a form of a creative. I’m not creative like how Morgan is but I’ve definitely uncovered a creative side of myself that I didn’t know was there before. I always say anyone can make noise with a large budget but not everyone can do it with very little, or at times nothing. That’s something we’re very good at.

MORGAN: I carry a 1989 coin - the year I was born - in my wallet every day. My grandma collected a coin for each grandchild, and we didn’t find out about it until she passed. Having it with me feels like my family is always close, no matter where I am. I used to wear it on a necklace, but when the chain broke, I kept it in my wallet so it’s with me every day.

KAT: I purchased my first high-end watch as a gift to myself when my first business made a profit. I wear it almost every day and it’s a small reminder to keep going, especially when we’re experiencing tough moments in the business. I guess it reminds me that I’ve achieved the unthinkable before so I can achieve it again. I’ve now made it a bit of a tradition - I’m planning to purchase another watch to celebrate my 10 year anniversary of MGMT.

MORGAN: We stay anchored by staying true to ourselves, trusting our gut and backing what we’re trying to build. I don’t look at brands in our category or treat them as competitors; I genuinely don’t know what they’re doing, which keeps us from comparing or second-guessing. There’s no other Kat and Morgan, so the brand will always feel individual because it’s shaped by who we are.

KAT: I don’t look at what other brands do because I think that can distract from your own vision and focus. When you start to feel like you’re competing then you start to lose sight of what you’re uniquely creating. You also can’t make decisions based on “making money”, yes sales targets are always a topic of discussion but it can’t be the sole driver behind decisions because then you just start to fall into trends for quick cash wins.

MORGAN: Success, to me, looks like building something steady, intentional, and long-lasting, not just big, and not just ‘viral’ once. It’s creating a brand with real impact and a community people genuinely want to be part of and share themselves with.

KAT: It’s always about consistency and slow growth for me. As long as we’re seeing small wins consistently and learning from our mistakes quickly then we’re on the path to a very successful brand.