I was at a friends house helping her declutter and organize her kitchen, I'll be helping her do her entire house from the bedrooms, living room and closets. I guess you could call me a neat-freak, but I've always been organized and I can't stand clutter. I've thought many times about starting a professional organizing business, but of course I'm nervous to take the first step.

I'm looking for everyone's input, ---if you were to hire a professional organizer (me!) to come to your house what would you want me to do? Would you want me to work with you and declutter and create new systems for organizing? What would you want me to declutter, entire room, file cabinet, garage, closets, office? Would you want me to offer suggestions and get you started and then leave the rest to you? How much would you pay for this service? Would you expect to be charged by the job or the hour?

Everyone I talk to tells me I should do this, even if its part time whenever I can fit a job in. And, I'm seriously considering it, because as crazy as this sounds--I love doing it and it makes me feel great when I can help someone get organized and get out from clutter.

Phew--sorry to ramble, but I appreciate your feedback :)

Uh Gina, if you want to use me and my family as a official "test case" and declutter us, we'll give you a great testimonial!!!!:toothy:

I think you could offer any of the serviced you mentioned. Working with someone is the best way to teach them so that they can learn and not be overwhelmed (like I get)

Good luck!!!:smball:

Gina,
This is actually something I've been very interested in doing myself. I've done a lot of research on it, bought tons of books and am VERY interested in it. It's the whole process of starting my own business that has stopped me in the past. Also, the thought that it's really word of mouth to get the business going and you can't "get a job" until you've "had a job" is a tough one for me since I'm not good at touting my own praises.

I think you should go for it. I'll live vicariously through you!

I'm like Amy, I've thought of it, but when I've worked with friends I've noticed a couple of things that may help.

One is that you have to break it down into little mini bites or people feel overwhelmed. One room, one closet, even one drawer at a time.

The other is the emotional attachment people have to the worst junk. It's the meaning of why they keep their clutter close to them.

For some it's poverty in the past, (at LEAST I own THIS!)

for others its a rebellion thing (I'm messy and you CAN'T Make me clean it up) (watch out for this one, thru projection, you become the "parent" and they start to contaminate the relationship with all kinds of resentment stuff about cleaning and emotional garbage-- way out? Charge by the hour!)

and for other's it's letting go of a person that has died or left them long ago (as long as I have this, I'm holding onto a bit of that person or our past life)

and others it's kind of a trophy (well once I was on the cheerleading squad, once a guy wrote me a lot of love letters, once I used to fit into this, once upon a time I was good at sports)

And for others it's procrastination projects (when I have time I'll clip those coupons, that article, those magazines, work out on the bike, lift those weights)

and for others its wishful thinking (someday I'll be good at knitting, quilting, needlework and I will start --or finish-- this)

The list goes on and on.

Separating people from their junk starts on the inside, and is almost more pschotherapy, where you assist them to think thru WHY EXACTLY I collected this, WHY exactly am I keeping it, WHAT do I HOPE WILL HAPPEN and finally is that thought reasonable or can I move on.

Moving on means letting go of a lot of old habits of thinking, letting go old relationships, letting go old hopes and it's a difficult process.

I watch those shows on TV ("Clean Sweep" and "Mission Organization") and dream of having someone come in and help me declutter~ just not on national TV, thank you!

If it were me, I would love some help organizing my closets and garage storage space. That's our main problem~ we have too much stuff stored in every available space in our house, and closets are overflowing. I would hire you to help me sort out and reorganize that stuff.

I think paying by the hour would be motivational to me~ I'd probably do some of the work before you arrived, just to save some $$!

It sounds like a great business~ good luck to you if you decide to try it!

I really think you should just jump right in and do it. I know it's a little scary but that is what I have done. I did research on it and while I was in the beginning of research I applied for my business license. I figured paying out $75 was enough to get me motivated. With my business and the same for yours - you really have to market yourself which is a little harder than people think it is. I've gotten turned down by some people but I have gotten great leads....little steps.

On ivillage.com they have some great message boards regarding home businesses and starting them and I think they even have one on the type of business you are interested in. I'll try to find the link for you.

Starting a business is a lot of work and like you I work full time and I'm doing this part time. But it something you have to do almost everyday (when starting) to get it going. but it sounds like you have great experience and the drive to do this so I'm supporting you 100%!! I think it's a wonderful idea. If you need any advice on how to start this I can help you out. :D

Can you tell that I'm excited for you.....:D :D :D

I love watching these type shows as well. I love Clean Sweep. I wish someone would come do that to my house, but not on tv.

I don't know how I would want to pay. Maybe by the hour or even a set rate per room based on size.

I would ask for advice in Chris and Dakota's room...since they share it is always cluttered no matter how hard I try.

I would want you to work with me to declutter and create new systems for organizing. I think it would be better to charge by the job. I have no clue on how much, though. Some people may want an entire room done, others may need help with just a file cabinet or closets. Go for it!

An inexpensive way to get word out would be to print some flyers to put out and get some business cards from Vista Print to leave laying around near gas pumps, pop machines, pay phones, etc. Will your friend let you take before/after photos in her house?

I would like someone to come to my home to analyse the situation, make a plan of action with me in detail of what I need to do to organize, what I need to buy if I need to buy organizing material, etc...I would see it as you are a organizer consultant, just like some pay for having decorating consultant. Here, I have heard it can cost $100 for a consultation for decorating...so maybe you could have a fixed price for a consultation with maybe a follow-up to make sure the person is doing good?.... Maybe $75-100 for a consultation ( a few hours or two or three visits?)....I'm just guessing, because I am not good at prices....

Good luck in pursuing this passion of yours!:)

Thank you everyone for your advice/suggestions!! I'm really doing some serious thinking about starting this business--I'm still keeping my full-time job, but I'd like to do this on the side. I'll keep you posted.