Professional Organizer & Interior Designer

Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?

A. Typically, people are embarassed when we come to their homes. They really do not need to be. We do not judge. We simply assess and get to work. It is a process that we go through with our clients. It didn't get in the shape it is in overnight. Usually there is something that derails people - such as a death, a divorce, combining households, downsizing or sometimes just too much stuff that people need help sorting through.

We try to re-use and re-purpose what people already have so we don't come in and recocommend all new storage. Although sometimes that's what folks are after- In which case, after our assessment, if we determine that is what is needed, that is what we'll do.

Q. What questions should a consumer ask to hire the right service professional?

A. FROM:
Better Business Bureau Offers Tips for Hiring a Professional Organizer
Saint Paul, Minnesota – January 28, 2011 – The start of a new year kindles enthusiasm in some people to create a more organized environment. But when it comes time to actually do the work, we realize organization takes more time and patience than most of us have. We may need the help of a professional organizer. The Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota (BBB) offers advice to home and business owners before they hire someone to come into their space to sort through confidential paperwork and valuables.

“Organizing our homes is an important task and often helps us feel happier in our surroundings,” said Dana Badgerow, president and CEO of the BBB. “But you want to be certain you understand what an organizer does – and doesn’t – do, and how he or she operates before you allow them access to your home.”

The following tips were compiled by the Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota in consultation with the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO)-Minnesota Chapter:

Check out companies at www.bbb.org before signing a contract.
Ask the organizer if they are a member of NAPO MN and about their credentials, experience and training.
Find out if the organizer is insured.
Ask the organizer to explain their process so you can gain a clear understanding of what they do and how they go about doing it.
Ask how you can best prepare for a professional organizer to come to your home or workplace. Find out specifically what the organizer needs from you (you may need to commit personal time to get your home prepared for the organization process).
Ask about the fee structure – is it by the job or by the hour? Be clear about your budget and do not sign any contracts until you fully understand what is or isn’t included in the service.
Ask for clarification on what their services include, for example, purchasing of supplies for the organization process.
Think about what kind of person you want to work with (example: will you work best in a drill sergeant environment or with someone who treats you like a friend?) Ask the potential organizer about their style.
Ask for an estimate on how long the projects you have in mind will take to complete. Inquire about what might change/modify the timeline.
Find out how the organizer disposes of items removed from your home or office and if there are additional fees (are the items recycled, donated, shredded?) Make sure you feel comfortable with the plan – especially if items are personal or confidential in nature.
You can also visit www.napomn.com to review their code of ethics and to search for an organizer.
The mission of the Better Business Bureau is to promote, through self-regulation, the highest standards of business ethics and conduct, and to instill public confidence in responsible businesses through programs of education and action that inform, protect and assist the general public. Our hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Contact the BBB 24 hours a day at www.bbb.org or 651-699-1111, toll free at 1-800-646-6222.

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. The variety, and the activity. I get to see and do a lot of different things in a day. It's never boring! I also like that I am improving the lives of my clients - once we are done they are able to find what they need, when they need it. They can also maintain what we have set up since it is a now a system for them that they helped to develop. If any systems need "tweaking" I am able to go back and work with them on that too. It's a wonderful job and I am delighted that I get to do it!