If you are visiting from Living Social, please feel free to visit Monday’s welcome post to get a welcome tour. I am so glad you are here.
So, I thought that today I would post on the questions that I am always asked when someone calls to inquire about organizing (or in general)…
I am sure my house is the worst you have ever seen – will you run out the door?
No, I won’t run out the door. Often my facial expression won’t even change (take me to Vegas baby – oh, I don’t gamble, back to you) and I might even give you a hug. There is often an expectation from female clients that they should have been “born” with the organizing gene and the feeling of failure is palpable. I believe that God gave us each our own talents and our own seasons for a reason. I won’t run out the door and I hold your secrets close.
What will I need to have for our session?
A willingness to work and an attitude open to new ideas. I will bring trash bags for trash and donations. I am also happy to drop donations on my way home (I do not get receipts, if you need a receipt I will help load them in your vehicle). It is impossible to give you a list of needed items before I see your space; however, after we have sorted and organized, I will help you with a shopping list of items if needed.
Should I clean before you get here?
While I always appreciate a clean space, that might not be the best idea. I need to see how it “always” ends up to know how to solve the problem. Picking up obvious garbage and dirty laundry always scores points 
Will my house end up on your blog?
Not if you don’t want it to. I do always take before and after pictures for my records and if they are used on the blog, your identity is never revealed.
How do you keep it together with 4 kids? You seem so calm…
Reality time, people. I tend to run hyperactive, which is sometimes how I get it all done. A good friend swears I have highly controlled ADD. My kids were born (most of them) when I was selling a ton of real estate – they were often nursed while I was on speaker phone hammering home a deal. From birth they have gone to work with momma – from sitting on my lap while sewing to going to the fabric store or hardware store for supplies. There are nights that my sweet Mr. BP takes the kids to the pool or the park so I can finish up a project. We also give them rewards based on family performance – if you watch your little sister in the sandbox for 20 minutes and momma finishes this, on Saturday we will spend the day as a family since my work got done.
This is going to be an interesting year on this note. When we moved from Florida, we moved from a new construction home (and for the last 12 years had always lived in a “new” house – 3 different homes) with modern amenities. We moved in with my Nanny and it is likely to be a permanent move. It enables her to stay in her home longer and we love the yard and end of street location. Yet the home is a 70′s tract home that hasn’t been updated unless it broke. We have permission to make changes and well, stay tuned as I create some great strategies for our new home and share them with you. If you want to stay up to date – there is a button on the right to get updates via email 
as I create some great strategies for our new home and share them with you. If you want to stay up to date – there is a button on the right to get updates via email You have my dream job, how do I get started?
This is so close to my heart. When I started it was a “newer” industry and there weren’t very many role models out there. Now, it is a growing industry of some very talented people. One, make sure this is really what your heart is leading you to do. It is a highly emotional job, part therapist, part designer, part marriage counselor, part – oh, you get the picture. Each company is as unique as it’s owner. Some organizers only organize. Some also offer design services. Some are like me who offer up their talents on differing levels. There are some organizers that worked in a corporate environment who specialize in home and small business offices and never touch a kitchen. Identify your strengths and work on those. Take a course from an accredited source (IRIS, NAPO, etc.) as there are many courses that are there just to make money. Create a portfolio while still working on your other job (I had helped many friends with their drapes, kitchens and playrooms and many real estate clients with staging and took pictures) so that you have something to show new clients.
My motto in life is often “leap and the net will appear” – I don’t recommend it for the faint of heart. If you can find a mentor or work as an intern for a while that will also give you a good idea of the day to day happenings in this industry. It is never boring, everyday is an adventure and you will be immensely rewarded at the end of a good day.
Finally, what does organizing cover? Will we move my furniture? Can you help me decorate?
I tend to be highly flexible during our time. If large pieces of furniture need to be moved, that is a redesign (and costs more to cover labor if needed). However, if we are hanging pictures, arranging accessories in the decluttering process, deciding on room features and creating function that is all good. Many clients will create a “honey-do” list for our time together – hanging pictures, that one cabinet that needs help, what to do with chemicals or how to list an item on Craigslist or eBay. I love to be the resource for my clients and am always available via text or email for a quick question afterwards (by phone as well, but it might take longer for me to respond).
Leave me a comment if there is something I didn’t cover and I will try to add it to the list….
Off to organize!
I want this living social. Not sure if mckinney is in your service area though.
This sounds like what I need, I have a concept of organization and sometimes even temporarily achieve it but at the cost of sacrificing a different space to the "clutter" I moved from the now organized space! Before I know it I'm right back where I started, it's depressing!!! How far is Allen, TX from Grapevine? Is it with in the 40 mile area???
On your living social deal does it cover baby clothes?