Time We Discuss: Pro Organizer Organizes Offices, Homes, and Lives. A Day in the Life of a Professional Organizer
Watch/Listen to this Episode Pro Organizer Organizes Offices, Homes, and Lives. A Day in the Life of a Professional Organizer
Diane Crespo, the founder of Organized Mess, a professional home and office organizing business joins us in the this episode of Time We Discuss. Diane shares her journey from a background in mental health counseling and customer service to becoming a professional organizer. Her organizational skills, developed since childhood, and her desire to help people led her to start her business.
Diane explains that her mental health background aids her in understanding clients who struggle with clutter due to conditions like ADHD or depression. Organizing offers her a tangible way to help people, which is different from her previous counseling work. She emphasizes how clutter and mental health often intersect, making her new profession feel like a continuation of her desire to assist others.
Starting her business involved navigating challenges like setting up an LLC, building a website, and creating a network of entrepreneurs for support. Diane values organization in all aspects of her business, from having her legal and financial details in order to presenting a professional image with business cards and a well-developed website.
Diane discusses the various types of projects she handles, including organizing homes, offices, and helping clients with unique life transitions like moving, downsizing, or even handling the possessions of deceased loved ones. She also mentions helping clients declutter after life changes, such as having a baby or going through a difficult time like the COVID-19 pandemic.
Diane's work extends beyond physical organization to the emotional aspect of decluttering. She talks about how working with people in grief or in difficult situations requires sensitivity. She also describes the importance of tailoring her organizing approach to fit each client's unique style and preferences, whether they prioritize aesthetics or functionality.
She highlights the growing understanding of the role of professional organizers, aided by shows like Netflix's *The Home Edit*, but notes that there is still a misconception that organizers also clean, which is not her role.
Diane's clients primarily come from word-of-mouth referrals and networking. She has developed a membership program for clients who need regular organizational upkeep, such as busy professionals who don't have the time to maintain organization themselves. Some clients need a one-time setup for specific areas like pantries, while others request recurring visits to maintain organization.
Diane also touches on the business side, including working with closet companies to design functional spaces, handling insurance and legal aspects, and continuously learning through certifications like those offered by NAPO (National Association of Professional Organizers). She highlights her ongoing excitement for learning and growing in her profession.
Links from the Show
Also Mentioned in the Show
- Decluttering for a Living, Make Money Organizing Messy Spaces
- Empowering Youth Through Travel: Nonprofit Organization Steven's Wings
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