How I Became a Professional Organizer

How I Became a Professional Organizer

I remember the night it all came to happen...

I had sold a previous business that I owned in the technology space and decided to retire. I spent 11 months as the busiest retired person ever. My daughters were still in high school and there was plenty to do. Though something was missing for me. Even though I was busy, I felt like I wasn’t doing anything.

So back to that night...

My husband and I had dropped our daughter off at a birthday party and we stayed out for dinner. It was nothing fancy. Just a pizza place near the party venue. All of a sudden before the waiter arrived, I started to choke up. I’m not a crier so this was a weird feeling. I’ll never forget my husband’s look of shock when he looked at me as the waiter came over and asked if we’d like a drink. My husband immediately told him we need a minute and he asked me what was going on. He thought maybe this was a menopause thing and was surprised when I said I wasn’t happy being retired. He then asked what would you like to do? And I answered, I want to be a Professional Organizer. He was very supportive and as someone who has also started successful businesses he said “okay let’s get started”

I did not know where to begin. I am a very organized person and thought I had good skills for the profession though I had no clue how to get started. I found a professional organizing company that sells franchises and I saw that they did not have one in the Boston area, so I inquired. I went through their version of the Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory test so see if I were worthy of paying them a franchise fee and giving them a percentage of my yearly revenue. After running through their obstacle course of presentations, marketing plans, and multiple interviews, I got to the final stage only to be told thanks but no thanks. They were going with someone else. I was heartbroken, disappointed, and had some doubt. So I played what my husband calls the “isn’t it awful game” for a few minutes and then decided to start my own and show them they made a huge mistake.

The beginning of The Organized You…

It was all hands on deck. Mom was going to do this. I got myself organized and began with a business and marketing plan that honestly could have been sketched on the back of a napkin. The name was first. I have my daughter to thank for that. And then came my website. Then I made the greatest decision for my business: I became a Contained Home Partner. The Container Store’s Contained Home division was looking for partners. I inquired, interviewed, and they accepted me. It was a huge boost for referral business and helped catapult me into success. My business had taken off. I had regular clients and a steady stream of new opportunities.

I am now beginning my 4^th year in business and am so pleased with the way things have worked out, especially after my first huge rejection trying to get started in the business. I have some great co-workers, amazingly wonderful clients, and every single time I end my day, I take great pleasure knowing I have just made someone’s life a little better.

Heather