FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
I can charge by the hour or offer clients different packages which pass along a greater savings! With my packages, I extend several complimentary services that many of my competitors do not offer.
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
Most of us have never used a professional organizer to help us with purging, organizing, home staging, or packing/unpacking and setting up a new home. We aren't sure what to expect once a quote is given to us. Sometimes we are unsure if we made the best decision or not. Let me assure you that if you are considering working with me, then you have made a good choice! A typical process looks like this.... I send a message asking the potential client to provide me with their phone number and the best time of day to contact them. I certainly do not want to interrupt putting kids to bed, dinner time, or your time at work. You will find that I am very accommodating to people's time and needs. During the initial phone conversation, I introduce myself by sharing some personal information as well as my experience as a professional in this field. I reiterate what the client's needs are based on what I read from their submission on Thumbtack. I will ask questions to gather more information about their specific needs and find out what their goals are for the project. Some clients know exactly what they need while others are so overwhelmed and don't even know where to begin. I work with both types of clients. I ALWAYS offer a complimentary, no obligation consultation in their home that typically lasts from 30-60 minutes. The consultation is really the catalyst to bring us together. It allows me the opportunity to see your needs firsthand; a picture really is worth a thousand words. It is difficult to assess a client's situation by speaking over the phone. A client will show me the area(s) that need attention as I listen, ask questions and take notes. Many clients are embarrassed over the condition of their areas, big or small, but I can assure you that I am not judging you or your habits. As a wife and mother to two teenagers who is working full time to help others simplify their homes and lives, I, too, fall short in areas of my life. We're all busy these days and, let's face it; life gets in the way of the things we need or want to do. The last thing my clients want to do on an evening or weekend after working is spend more time working on organizing, staging their home or packing/unpacking. My mind is racing with ideas and solutions for a client's problem areas, and I share those aloud. After the walk-through, my clients and I sit down to discuss an action plan. I develop and customize action plans based on each individual's needs; what works for some doesn't always work for others. I love to listen to a client's ideas as most people share some great ones! We work together to list the priorities, what actions I/we will take, and what, if any, supplies will be needed. I'm not one who encourages customers to run out to The Container Store or Pottery Barn and spend thousands of dollars. Simply put, the majority of what is needed can be purchased at Target, Meijer, WalMart, etc... Before concluding, we will talk about your budget and timeline. I am happy to work within any budget, doing as little or as much as one needs. Finally, we coordinate our schedules to find days and times that fit YOUR busy life.
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I am an organizer by nature. I grew up organizing my teachers' desks and closets as well as those of friends and family. At the age of 7, I helped unpack our belongings in our new home, and I organized and set up our kitchen, my room and that of my older sister. I LOVE ORGANIZING and it comes very easy to me. I consistently purchase magazines and books to keep my services and strategies relevant and current. I attend virtual workshops when my schedule allows. Before doing this on a full time basis, I was an elementary teacher for nearly 15 years. Teaching is not just academic in nature. It is building relationships and trust, encouraging and supporting, collaborating and guiding. My 4th and 5th grade students learned the value of getting organized and staying organized. It is a successful learner trait for both adolescents and adults. If we are unorganized or lack time management, other areas in our lives WILL suffer. I believe in being PROACTIVE!