Allie and her team primarily serve clients throughout Bucks County, Pennsylvania and the surrounding areas, including the Main Line and parts of New Jersey. Many of their clients are busy families and professionals who want their homes to feel both functional and thoughtfully designed.

Hi Allie! How did you come up with your business name?

When I was thinking about a name, I kept coming back to the idea that organizing isn’t just about putting things away. For me, it’s about creating a home that feels intentional and thoughtfully put together.

The word “curated” really captured that idea. It reflects the way we approach organizing, carefully editing, arranging, and designing spaces so everything has a purpose and the home feels both functional and beautiful.

That’s how The Curated Home Company came to life.

How did your training and experience prepare you to become an organizer?

Before starting The Curated Home Company, I had a background in hospitality, teaching, and real estate. Each of those experiences shaped how I approach my work today.

Hospitality taught me how much the environment and details matter. Teaching helped me learn how to guide people through a process and create systems that are easy to follow. And real estate gave me a strong understanding of how homes function and how people live in them.

All of those experiences combined naturally led me into professional organizing, where I get to help people create homes that work better for their daily lives.

What’s your specialty?

Our specialty is creating spaces that feel both organized and beautifully curated. We focus on developing systems that make homes easier to maintain while also paying close attention to the visual side of the space.

Many of our projects involve whole-home organization, kitchens and pantries, closets, and preparing homes for a move or major transition. We often work with families who want their home to function better day to day, but who also care about the overall look and feel of the space.

The goal is always the same: creating a home that works well for the people living in it while still feeling elevated and intentional.

What other services or products do you offer?

In addition to hands-on home organizing, we offer concierge relocation services for clients who are moving and want a smooth transition into their new home. This can include packing, unpacking, and setting up organized systems so the home feels functional from the very beginning.

We also provide organizing for businesses and office spaces, seasonal refreshes, and project consulting for clients who want guidance on how to improve specific areas of their home. Many of our clients come back for maintenance sessions as well, especially after moves, renovations, or major life changes.

How do you approach a new organizing project?

Every project starts with getting a good understanding of how the client lives in their home and what isn’t working for them right now. I like to ask questions about their routines, what they struggle to find, and how they want the space to function moving forward.

From there, we begin by editing and sorting through the items so we can see what truly needs to stay in the space. Once that’s done, we create simple systems that make sense for the client’s daily life. My goal is always to make the space easier to maintain while also making it look clean and thoughtfully put together.

What’s the most surprising thing you’ve discovered about running an organizing business?

One thing that has surprised me is how much of the job is really about helping people feel comfortable during the process. Organizing isn’t just about putting systems in place, it’s also about building trust with clients and helping them make decisions about their belongings.

I’ve learned that when clients feel supported and not judged, the process becomes much easier and more enjoyable for everyone involved.

What is the biggest challenge you currently face in your business?

One of the biggest challenges is simply managing growth while still keeping the level of service that clients expect. As the business grows and we take on more projects, it’s important to make sure every client still receives the same thoughtful and personalized experience.

That means building the right team, maintaining clear systems, and staying very intentional about how we take on new projects.

How are you marketing your business?

Many of our clients come from Google, word of mouth, and happy referrals from past clients. We also connect with people through our website and social media, where we share projects and give people a look into the kind of work we do. Building relationships with local professionals like interior designers, real estate agents, and moving companies has also been a great way to connect with new clients. At the end of the day, the biggest driver of our business is simply doing great work and having clients share their experience with others.

What professional communities or organizations support your work?

One of the things I really appreciate about this industry is how supportive the organizing community is. I stay connected with other professional organizers where we share ideas, talk through challenges, and learn from each other’s experiences. It’s really helpful to be part of a group of people who understand the work and are always looking for better ways to serve their clients.

I’m also connected with professionals in related industries like interior designers, real estate agents, and moving companies. A lot of our projects naturally overlap with those fields, especially when clients are moving or updating their homes. Having those relationships makes it much easier to work together and create a smoother experience for the client from start to finish.

What’s your favorite organizing product?

Clear bins are probably one of my favorite organizing tools. They’re simple, but they make a big difference, and honestly work for almost all areas of the home! They are also super easy to get and very affordable.

What do you like to do when you’re not working?

When I’m not working, I enjoy spending time at home with family and friends. I love cooking, hosting, and creating a space where people feel comfortable gathering. I also enjoy slowing down when I can, whether that’s spending time outside or simply recharging at home.

What else should we know about you?

One thing people usually notice pretty quickly is that I genuinely love what I do. I’ve always been someone who enjoys creating order and making spaces feel more thoughtful and functional. What started as something I naturally enjoyed doing eventually turned into a career where I get to help people feel better in their homes.

At the end of the day, my goal is always the same: to create spaces that make everyday life easier and more enjoyable for the people living in them.

Do you find the organizer interviews on Your Organizing Business inspiring and informative? Have you shared YOUR story yet?

Whether you’re new to the field or a seasoned pro, your insights are valuable, and I’d like to feature you!

Start the process here.

Visit Your Organizing Business to read Interview with Professional Organizer Allie Licata and join the conversation.

This article is for aspiring business owners who want fewer surprises and more staying power.

The Big Picture (Read This First)

• Your time will be stretched thinner than you expect.
• Cash flow—not profit—is what keeps you alive.
• Emotional strain doesn’t mean you’re failing.
• Customers are unpredictable.
• Legal and administrative tasks compound quickly.
• Your first idea will probably evolve—dramatically.

If you understand these early, you won’t panic when they show up. You’ll plan for them.

Your Time Will Be Constantly Pulled in Different Directions

In the early stages, you are the marketing team, operations department, customer service rep, bookkeeper, and strategist.

The problem isn’t just workload. It’s context switching.

You might spend the morning negotiating with a supplier, the afternoon solving a tech issue, and the evening answering customer emails. Deep work becomes rare. Decision fatigue creeps in.

Result: Progress feels slower than expected.

Countermove: Create “theme days” or time blocks. Batch similar tasks together. Protect strategic thinking time the same way you’d protect a client meeting.

Cash Flow Matters More Than Profit

Many new business owners focus on profit margins. But profit on paper doesn’t pay rent if the money hasn’t arrived yet.

Consider this simplified comparison:

You can be “profitable” and still run out of money.

What to watch:

• Payment timing
• Subscription stability
• Emergency reserves

Healthy cash flow buys you options. Options buy you survival.

The Emotional Weight Is Real

Doubt, stress, and decision fatigue are common—even when things are going well.

You may:

• Question your strategy
• Second-guess pricing
• Obsess over small setbacks
• Feel isolated

This doesn’t mean your business is broken. It means you’re carrying responsibility.

Entrepreneurship requires emotional stamina. Plan for it.

Practical guardrails:

• Build a peer support network with other business owners.
• Schedule time away from the business.
• Create decision frameworks to reduce constant mental churn.

You don’t eliminate stress. You manage it.

Customers Don’t Always Behave Logically

You’ll assume people buy based on value, price, and features.

They don’t.

They buy based on:

• Perception
• Timing
• Emotion
• Trust
• Convenience

A clearly superior product can lose to a simpler, more familiar option.

How to adapt:

1. Test messaging before scaling ads.
2. Watch behavior, not just survey responses.
3. Expect objections you didn’t anticipate.
4. Iterate quickly.

The market teaches you. If you listen.

Legal and Administrative Work Adds Up Fast

Registering the business is just the beginning.

Soon you’ll encounter:

• Contracts
• Insurance
• Licensing
• Taxes
• Compliance requirements
• Bookkeeping systems

Ignoring these areas can stall momentum or create costly setbacks.

Startup Compliance Checklist

• Register business entity properly
• Separate personal and business finances
• Track all expenses from day one
• Understand tax obligations
• Draft basic client agreements
• Secure appropriate insurance

It’s not glamorous. It is necessary.

Your First Idea Probably Isn’t Your Final One

Many successful businesses pivoted early.

The initial concept may reveal:

• A better niche
• A clearer target audience
• A stronger pricing model
• A more scalable offer

Treat your first idea as Version 1—not your identity.

Problem → Solution → Result Example:

Problem: Low traction with broad audience.
Solution: Narrow target market to a specific segment.
Result: Higher conversion rates and clearer messaging.

Adaptation isn’t failure. It’s refinement.

Considering Further Education to Strengthen Your Leadership

As your business grows, you may realize there are skill gaps—especially in leadership, financial modeling, or long-term strategy. Some founders choose to return to school to deepen these capabilities. A master’s in business administration equips you with skills in leadership, strategic planning, financial management, and data-driven decision-making to excel in diverse business environments.

Earning an online degree can offer flexibility, allowing you to continue running your business while advancing your education. If you’re exploring programs, you can check this out.

For some entrepreneurs, structured education sharpens judgment and expands professional networks. For others, experience is the classroom. The key is intentional growth.

A Resource Worth Exploring: Small Business Administration

If you’re launching in the United States, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers free planning tools, loan guidance, and local mentorship programs.

It’s practical, government-backed information that many first-time founders overlook.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much money should I save before starting a business?
Ideally, enough to cover 6–12 months of personal living expenses, plus a cash buffer for the business. The exact number depends on risk tolerance and revenue predictability.

Is stress a sign I chose the wrong business?
Not necessarily. Stress is common in early stages. Evaluate whether it’s temporary growth pressure or a misalignment with your goals.

When should I pivot my business idea?
When data consistently shows low demand, poor margins, or misalignment with customer needs—and you’ve tested improvements first.

Do I need formal education to succeed?
No. But structured learning—whether through courses, mentorship, or experience—can reduce costly mistakes.

Final Thoughts

Starting a business is more complex than it appears from the outside. Time pressure, cash flow gaps, emotional strain, and shifting ideas are normal parts of the journey. If you anticipate them, you won’t be derailed by them.

Photo created with Online AI Image Generator by Depositphotos

Visit Your Organizing Business to read 7 Overlooked Realities Aspiring Business Owners Need to Face Early and join the conversation.

Do you ever help clients to prepare a home inventory? It’s a great fit for residential organizers – either as a standalone service, or to offer once a major organizing project has been completed. There’s even an online service available to help you tap into this business opportunity, and I invited John Bodrozic from HomeZada to explain it to you.

Most people have information about their home scattered everywhere and it is probably incomplete.  They have paper documents about their property in folders, receipts for home purchases have been lost, owner’s manuals in various closets and drawers, and research for home improvement projects are ripped out magazine pages or buried in a spouse’s business email system.  Not only is it unorganized, all that paper is at risk of being destroyed in a house fire or a natural disaster.

An opportunity exists for Professional Organizers to turn this chaos into a complete Digital Home Profile by using a solution called HomeZada Professional. This becomes a business opportunity to develop a new organizing service that can be offered to existing clients, as well as, to new clients. This is a unique opportunity to leverage the growing trend of cloud based solutions to manage various aspects of people’s lives.

HomeZada Professional makes it very easy for a Professional Organizer to create a digital home profile for their customer. The solution has a home inventory feature where you can upload photos of every room and item in a home and track any associated document like receipts, warranties, owner’s manuals, insurance policies, mortgage documents and other important property documents. Financial dashboards help the customer ensure they are properly covered with insurance, and they are prepared in case a house fire, flood, or natural disaster.

But the digital home profile goes beyond a home inventory. The Professional Organizer can easily set up a property calendar based on a predefined list of common maintenance, yardwork, and cleaning best practices. Remembering “the what and when” for home maintenance becomes automated with alerts and email reminders. The organizer can also create common home improvement projects that guide the homeowner through the budget, shopping, purchasing and documentation process.

Once the Professional Organizer has completed the digital home profile, it is a seamless and easy task to provide their client with a complete electronic copy with their own secure consumer account to manage moving forward. The added benefit for the Professional Organizer is their client will see their personal online branding ad every time they login to HomeZada. This creates a great ongoing presence that leads to more referrals and opportunities for future business.

The end result is a win – win for the customer and the professional organizer. The customer receives a digital home profile to manage their largest asset which helps maintain the value, keep the home healthy and safe, and creates a family organization system to keep everyone on track. The Professional Organizer can grow their business by extending or creating this new service offering that also includes downstream online branding opportunities.

Want to talk to colleagues about additional streams of income – or anything else?

Join the POPS Circle, where organizing and productivity professionals share ideas, experiences, and encouragement.

Visit Your Organizing Business to read Getting Organized with a Digital Home Profile and join the conversation.

Stop – Have a Conversation

Before you get too far along, I suggest you stop the session and have a conversation with your client. If she stated a goal during your needs assessment of how much she was willing to let go of, now would be a great time to say, “when we talked at our first meeting, you said you would be willing to let go of x%. We have been working for the past few hours, and you haven’t let go of anything. Do we need to revisit your goal? Or what can I do to help you meet that goal?”

Set Goals

If she didn’t state a goal, ask her what her goal is. How much does she want to let go of? Is there a category of her belongings she knows she wants to significantly let go of or downsize? What criteria does an item need to meet to be kept or discarded?

If she has changed her mind, or never intended to let go of anything, ask her what her expectations of your work together are. Maybe she wants to keep everything and wants you to find a place for everything. If that is her goal, you will need to assess the feasibility of that goal and gently let her know if it is or is not possible.

Help Her Make Decisions

Maybe she has difficulty making decisions because she is afraid of making the wrong decision. Reframing can help your clients see their belongings in a different light that can make the decision about whether or not to keep something easier. Here are some reframing questions I ask when my client cannot decide to keep or not keep something:

1. Does it make you feel mad, bad, or sad to look at it?
2. Do you think you will use it again (or for the first time) and what circumstances will have to be in place for you to use it?
3. When was the last time you used/wore it?
4. Are you putting things before people and relationships?
5. Can you borrow or purchase another one if needed?
6. Does it take more time and effort to take care of it than it is worth?
7. If you knew that someone else would really benefit from having this (i.e., if we found a great place to donate it?), would that make it easier for you to let it go?
8. Are you keeping it because someone gave it to you, and you will feel guilty if you get rid of it?
9. If you took a picture of it, would it be easier to let it go?
10. Do you have anything else that reminds you of this (event, person, or time)?
11. And, the BIG question, how much is this item costing you, and how much is it benefitting you?

What is your strategy or tactics when your clients won’t let go of anything?

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

Visit Your Organizing Business to read 11 Questions to Ask When Clients Won’t Let Go of Anything and join the conversation.

It’s a good reminder that when it comes to time management, more isn’t always better; sometimes what we really need is clarity.

That’s the idea behind the next Productivity & Organizing Blog Carnival: Time Wisdom. And you’re warmly invited to participate.

Blog about your favorite time management app, book, expert, or system, or share your own hard-earned wisdom about time.

Why Participate

This is a fabulous opportunity to grow your network and bring new traffic to your blog. Many contributors return month after month, earning special ranks like Star, Superstar, Megastar, or even Ultimate Star Blogger. Check out a few past editions to see the kind of posts that get featured.

Do you offer a product or service that would interest professional organizers, productivity consultants, or their clients?

Why not sponsor an upcoming edition of the Productivity & Organizing Blog Carnival?

How to Participate

1. Write a blog post about Time Wisdom. Already have one? Great! Most of your work is done.
2. Submit your post using the form at the end of this page by 11:59 PM EDT on Wednesday, May 20, 2026. It’s that easy!

Once the Blog Carnival goes live, I’ll email you the link so you can check out all the great submissions and get ready for comments, shares, and new connections!

Submission Guidelines

1. You may submit an article you’ve written and posted on your own blog, a post you’ve written for someone else’s blog, or a guest post on your blog.
2. Multiple entries are allowed if you publish posts by multiple bloggers or guest bloggers on your site, and each entry is by a different author.
3. All submissions must fit the theme Time Wisdom.
4. Submission deadline is 11:59 pm EDT on Wednesday, May 20, 2026.

Please use this form to submit your post. I’m looking forward to reading it, and to helping you get free exposure for your blog!

By participating in the Productivity & Organizing Blog Carnival, you agree to receive Your Organizing Business once per week and From the Desk of Janet Barclay once per month. You will be able to unsubscribe at any time.

Visit Your Organizing Business to read Call for Submissions: Time Wisdom and join the conversation.

You love what you do, and you love your clients (or at least most of them ) But you probably don’t love spending valuable time going back-and-forth to schedule appointments. And don’t get me started on cancellations and reschedules!

There are a lot of ways to simplify booking appointments, and I’ve tried quite a few.  I’ve listed them below, along with what I liked and why I moved on. I hope this helps you find one that works for you.

Appointment Scheduling Tools I’ve Tried

Contact Form

The first thing I tried was to add a field to my Gravity Forms contact form, allowing clients to suggest three possible times for a phone call.

What I liked:

• No additional cost
• No added stress on my website

Why I stopped using it:

• I still had to send an email to the client to confirm the time
• Some clients had unrealistic expectations, like the woman who emailed me late  Thursday night looking for an appointment at 4:30 pm on the Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, or the one that emailed at lunchtime looking for a phone call at 1:00, 1:30 or 2:00 that day. I generally need a little lead time!

Overall:

It was only marginally better than no system at all, so I eventually set out to find a more practical solution.

Doodle

Doodle was my go-to for group scheduling, so I decided to try their one-on-one appointment feature as well.

What I liked:

• Easy to connect to my calendar
• Made my availability visible to clients
• A familiar platform

Why I stopped using it:

• Some clients found the booking process confusing and didn’t complete all the steps
• Appointment requests didn’t always trigger reliable email notifications
• I still had to manually review and confirm appointments
• The overall process wasn’t as smooth or automated as I needed

Overall:

It wasn’t as seamless as I wanted. I’m sure they’ve made improvements since then, but by that point I had switched to a different solution.

Acuity Scheduling

Acuity Scheduling kept popping up in the Facebook groups I’m in, so I decided to check it out.

What I liked:

• Customizable reminder emails for me and my clients
• Automatic time zone conversion
• Branding customization
• Ability to embed the scheduler on my website
• Integration with
  • Google Calendar
  • Zoom
  • Mailchimp
  • PayPal
• Ability to create different schedulers for different appointment types

Why I stopped using it:

• While implementing Profit First, I decided to switch to a less expensive solution.

Google Appointment Scheduling

As part of my financial review, I realized that by signing up for Google Workspace Individual, I could access premium Google Meet features (allowing me to cancel  Zoom) and use their appointment scheduler (allowing me to cancel Acuity).

What I liked:

• Cost savings

Why I stopped using it:

• Fewer customization options than Acuity
• All appointment types appeared on the same page, so I couldn’t separate client-only bookings
• Each appointment type had to be managed separately

Overall

This would be a great option if I didn’t have two separate audiences.

Calendly

Before giving up on Google Appointment Scheduling, I created a free Calendly account (which allows only one appointment type) for my Get to Know You sessions and continued using Google for clients.

What I liked:

• No extra cost

Why I stopped using it:

• Using two systems was more complicated than it was worth.

Overall

The point of using this type of software is to simplify things, so this setup wasn’t working for me.

That said, I did like Calendly and still recommend it. Just keep in mind you’ll need a paid plan for multiple event types or advanced features.

TidyCal

Because I was frustrated with the low-cost options I’d tried, I decided to purchase TidyCal as a one-time deal from AppSumo.

What I liked:

• Low price with no ongoing fees
• Customizable reminder emails
• Automatic time zone conversion for clients
• Integration with Google Calendar and Google Meet
• Ability to set up multiple appointment types

Overall

So far, it’s working well for me. In fact, while writing this post, I discovered another feature that will streamline my admin work even more!

Which Appointment Scheduling Tool Is Best?

There are a lot of great scheduling tools out there, and the best one really depends on your needs.

I recommend Calendly if the free plan meets your needs, or TidyCal if you’re looking for more flexibility without a monthly fee.

Either way, an appointment scheduler is one tool that can easily pay for itself in time saved and a smoother experience for your clients.

How Do You Schedule Your Appointments?

What do you like (or dislike) about your system?

Image © stillfx / depositphotos

Visit Your Organizing Business to read I Tried 6 Appointment Scheduling Tools – Here’s What Worked (and What Didn’t) and join the conversation.

With Earth Day right around the corner, I invited my readers to share their blog posts about creating functional, clutter-free spaces using eco-friendly, low-waste methods.

I think all of us will benefit from their tips for reducing/reusing/repurposing, conscious consumption, responsible disposal, and more.

As you read the posts listed below, please connect with the bloggers on social media, leave comments, and share your favorite posts with your own network.

Thanks to everyone who contributed to this Blog Carnival!

Do you offer a product or service that would interest professional organizers, productivity consultants, or their clients?

Why not sponsor an upcoming edition of the Productivity & Organizing Blog Carnival?

I’m now accepting submissions for May’s Productivity & Organizing Blog Carnival, when our topic will be Time Wisdom.

Photo by alenkasm / DepositPhotos

Visit Your Organizing Business to read Sustainable Organizing – Productivity & Organizing Blog Carnival and join the conversation.

The first thing to recognize is you need to seek out clients and not wait for clients to seek you out.

Four months into the start-up of my organizing business, my husband, Stefan, and I were in our office with our desks back to back, and he turned around, kicked my chair, and said, “Don’t you think it’s about time to get a client?”

I had not worked with a client yet. I wasn’t sure how to find clients, and our website was not on page one of the search listing, so if anyone was looking for a professional organizer, they would not find me. Remember, this was 2003, and professional organizers were not commonplace. The TV shows that have promoted our industry were just beginning.

I asked Stefan, “How should I go about finding clients?” He suggested I ask a few friends who had encouraged me to do this to see if they knew of anyone whose home was a bit cluttered. I pulled together a brochure of my business services and proceeded to meet with everyone I knew, asking them to help me find clients.

This exercise proved to be very worthwhile on two counts.

First, I was referred by one of my friends to her client, and I had my first organizing job. Second, I made connections with people who have businesses with clients who need my services, and eventually, my clients might need their services. For example, one friend is a financial advisor, and her clients needed help assembling paper information the financial advisor required to advise them. My clients often ask me if I know of a financial advisor because they need to get their finances in order or start investing for their retirement. It’s a win-win relationship and what is known as a strategic alliance.

Developing Your Network of Strategic Alliances

If you haven’t already formed a group of strategic alliances, think of who they could be.

Strategic alliances are individuals or businesses that share similar clients with you.

Network every day.  Talk to everyone about your business. Who do you know that can help you promote your business? Who can you partner with and strategically align yourself with to provide mutual marketing opportunities?

Strategic alliance might be:

• realtors
• interior designers
• schools
• doctors
• lawyers
• certified public accountants
• senior living residences (Marketing Director)
• financial investment representatives
• feng shui consultants
• wardrobe consultants
• cleaning services

Invite them to meet with you, explain your services, and then ask them, “How can I be of service to you?” and watch the flood of referrals come your way. And you will be more valuable to your clients because you have resources for them.

Another way to meet strategic partners is to join networking organizations. Business Networking International is a networking organization I belonged to in the early years of my business. They have over 200,000 members. I met many business owners; we exchanged referrals and grew my list of trusted resources. The networking groups I’ve belonged to include Women To Women Network, Women In Networking, and Chamber of Commerce. Also, look for networking groups on Facebook.

Are you looking for referral partners?

Join POPS Circle to connect with colleagues with different services or target demographics than your own – or to talk about other marketing strategies that have worked (or not worked)!

Other ways to find clients

Website:

You can develop your own website at GoDaddy, VistaPrint, Weebly, Squarespace, or Mailchimp.

Social media:

Set up accounts and post regularly on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok, and Houzz.  To start, pick one or two social media platforms best suited to your key client.

Newsletter:

Write and send a newsletter to your contact list regularly, using a service like Mailchimp, Kit, or Constant Contact. Be consistent, concise, and confident.

Public speaking:

Speak on time management, paper management, decluttering, and downsizing. Speak at your chamber of commerce, networking groups, moms groups, and parent-teacher associations.

Removable car sign:

I suggest a removable car sign for when you don’t want to be advertising your business, such as when you are at a client location – to protect their privacy.

Silent auctions:

Auction a basket or bin of organizing products along with a gift certificate for your services. Include your business card and other promotional materials, and have extras for the table for everyone to take.

What are other methods you practice to gain new clients? Post in the comments below.

Photo by snowing / Depositphotos

Visit Your Organizing Business to read Help! How do I find clients? and join the conversation.

Hi, Aaron, and welcome! Please tell us a bit about your businesses.

I work with professional organizers and clients all across the United States through The Organizer Directory. The platform includes both local, in-person organizers and virtual professionals who serve clients remotely nationwide. I also run a home organizing company in New Orleans and build websites and handle SEO for organizers and other local businesses throughout the country.

How did your training and experience lead you to create The Organizer Directory?

I actually own a home organizing company in New Orleans, so I’ve been in the field myself and understand how the industry works from the inside. Over time, I also built experience in website design and SEO, especially for local service businesses. That combination, organizing and online marketing, naturally led me to create the directory to help other organizers get more visibility.

What inspired you to create The Organizer Directory?

I created The Organizer Directory after working closely with professional organizers and seeing how difficult it was for many of them to get consistent visibility online. As someone who understands both the organizing industry and SEO, I built the directory to help organizers get discovered in their local markets while giving clients a trusted place to find qualified professionals in their area.

How do you support other professional organizers?

I offer free business listings for professional organizers, along with featured placement opportunities for those who want increased visibility. The platform allows organizers to be discovered by specialty and location and serves as an additional marketing channel to help generate qualified leads and strengthen online presence.

In addition to the directory, I build and design custom websites for professional organizers and provide SEO services specifically tailored to help them rank locally, attract more inquiries, and grow their businesses strategically.

How are you currently marketing The Organizer Directory?

I focus heavily on SEO and organic visibility. I also stay active in professional organizer Facebook groups, local networking circles, and Chambers of Commerce. Because I work closely with organizers through website design and SEO, much of the growth also comes from referrals and relationships within the industry.

How do you approach a new organizing project?

My partner Olivia and I own a home organizing company together in New Orleans, and we have a great team that handles most of our projects. Occasionally, my help is needed on a project, and when I step in, I start by listening. I want to understand how the client uses the space, what’s not working, and what would make the biggest difference in their daily routine. From there, we focus on decluttering first and then building simple systems that are practical and easy to maintain.

What’s the most surprising thing you’ve discovered about running an organizing business?

Honestly, how much of running an organizing business has nothing to do with organizing. A big part of it is communication, managing expectations, hiring the right people, and making sure systems are in place behind the scenes. The organization is important, but the business side is what really determines long-term success.

What is your biggest challenge as you grow these businesses?

Probably just making sure we don’t grow faster than we can handle. As things expand, the organizing company, the directory, website, and clients, I want to make sure the quality stays high, and clients still feel taken care of.

What professional associations or other organizations do you belong to?

I’m actively involved in the professional organizing community through local and national Facebook groups for organizers, where I stay connected to industry conversations and trends. I’m also a member of my local Chambers of Commerce and business networking groups, which helps me stay engaged with small business owners and better understand the needs of organizers growing their companies.

How did you come up with your business name?

I wanted something straightforward and clear. The Organizer Directory says exactly what it is, a place where people can find professional organizers. I didn’t want a trendy or complicated name. I wanted something simple, easy to remember, and easy to search.

What’s your favorite organizing product? Why?

Standard shelving. We actually build and install it through our organizing company, and it can be used almost anywhere, such as garages, attics, offices, craft rooms, storage rooms, you name it. It’s simple, sturdy, and instantly creates usable space. I like solutions that are practical and flexible rather than overly complicated.

What do you like to do when you’re not working?

To be honest, I’m usually working.  But when I’m not, I love traveling. I enjoy experiencing new cities, different cultures, and seeing how other people live and build businesses. It gives me a reset and also sparks new ideas. I’m also big on personal growth, entrepreneurship, and anything that helps me think bigger and operate better.

What else should we know about you?

I care a lot about helping organizers grow sustainable businesses. Owning an organizing company myself has given me firsthand experience, and building websites and doing SEO for organizers has shown me how important visibility is. The directory was created to bring those two worlds together in a practical way.

Want to be featured in an upcoming Organizer Interview on Your Organizing Business?

It’s a great opportunity to showcase your business, share what you’ve learned, and help others in the organizing community.

Fill out the questionnaire to be considered!

Visit Your Organizing Business to read Interview with Aaron Traub, Founder of The Organizer Directory and join the conversation.

Bringing on a team feels like the obvious next step. And it is, but what many organizers don’t realize is how much your role actually changes once you’re not the one doing everything anymore.

At first, it seems like growth just means more projects. But in reality, your time starts shifting pretty quickly. Instead of being on every job, you’re spending more time scheduling, texting clients, coordinating your team, and making sure everything is running the way it should.

You’re not just focused on doing the work anymore, you’re focused on making sure the work is getting done right across the board. That’s a different kind of responsibility, and it takes some getting used to. You start paying more attention to how projects are set up, how instructions are given, and how consistent everything feels from one job to the next.

This is where systems really start to matter. When you’re solo, you can keep a lot in your head. Once you have a team, that doesn’t work anymore. You need clear ways of doing things, how projects are scheduled, how clients are communicated with, and what the expectations are for each job. Without that, things can feel all over the place pretty quickly.

Communication also becomes a bigger part of your day than you might expect. You’re going back and forth with clients, answering questions, checking in with your team, and making sure everyone’s on the same page. Small things can turn into bigger issues if they’re not handled early, so staying on top of it matters.

One of the harder parts is letting go of control. When you’re used to doing everything yourself, it’s tough to step back and trust someone else to handle a project. But that’s part of growing. It’s less about doing everything yourself and more about setting things up so the job still gets done right, even when you’re not there.

Over time, your role starts to shift. You’re not just organizing anymore, you’re building something that can run without you being at every single job. That’s what allows you to take on more clients and create something more consistent long term.

Making the jump from solo to a team isn’t always smooth, and it doesn’t happen overnight. But once things start to click, it opens up a completely different level of growth.

The biggest shift is this, you’re no longer doing everything yourself, and at first that can feel uncomfortable. But over time, it’s what allows the business to actually grow.

Want to talk to colleagues about growing a team – or anything else?

Join the POPS Circle, where organizing and productivity professionals share ideas, experiences, and encouragement.

Visit Your Organizing Business to read From Solo Organizer to Team: What Actually Changes in Your Business and join the conversation.