Q & A

 

The National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) exists not only to mentor professional organizers but also to educate and assist the public about organizing services. 

NAPO has published a series of questions entitled "What is a Professional Organizer and How Can I Find One?"  If you are interested in reading this article, click here.

NAPO has also published a list called "Top 10 Questions to Ask a Potential Professional Organizer."  Here are Carmen's answers to those 10 questions plus a couple more. 

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Question 1: Are you an organized person?

Absolutely!  I grew up in an orderly home, and those habits have followed me into adulthood. For most people, organizing is a chore, but I enjoy it!  I spend many hours working on or reading about organizing projects.

Question 2 & 3: How long have you been in the organizing business, and are you a member of NAPO?

Officially, I became a member of NAPO in March 07 and opened Clutterbugs in April 07.  However, my road to becoming a professional organizer - research, training, and prep - began about 18 months prior.

Question 4: Do you have any training in organizing or related areas?

In my time in the military, I had the opportunity to use my organizational skills in varied ways.  For example...

* Administration - Everyone knows that the military is full of red tape, and so it will come as no surprise that office duties were a part of every day.  I am very familiar with creating filing systems for records as well as checklists for office functions and training.

* Relocation services - The military and moving around the world go hand in hand.  I moved 7 times in 7 years, including 4 international transits.  I have mastered not just relocating but relocating smoothly and efficiently!

* Speech writing and public speaking - Communication was the foundation of my job.  It was essential that I have the skills to research, build, and present briefings that were well-structured and succinct.

* Time management - As an officer, I had to juggle the tasks of being a manager and a leader.  It was normal to have several bosses as well as several subordinates, and each carried their share of demands.

 * Event planning - The military seeks to make soldiers who are well-rounded and not just about official matters.  As a result, I coordinated charitable events like blood drives and fund raisers as well as planned social affairs like promotion ceremonies and holiday parties.

Question 5: Are you aware of industry trends?

As a member of NAPO, staying abreast of industry trends is a perk of membership.  Additionally, I am constantly seeking out new training opportunities and researching new organizing techniques to increase my professional knowledge, ultimately bringing that information to my clients.

Question 6: What is your specialty or particular area of expertise, if any?

I have 2 primary focus areas:
    (1) home organization to improve efficiency in the kitchen, home office, garage, etc.
    (2) relocation organization to improve efficiency in the moving process.

My secondary focus area is business organization, and this type of request is accepted on a case-by-case basis.

I do like new challenges, though, so I am open to assist in other areas - it just depends on the task.

Question 7 & 8: What kinds of organizing projects do you do, and/or can you describe your organizing approach?

Here is a list of example organizing projects that I would do: establishing effective organizing systems for the closet (adult, child, linen), de-cluttering garages to allow space for cars and storage, creating filing systems for home offices, structuring display options for collectibles, building arts and craft storage systems, and providing hands-on help with moves to new cities in the U.S. or to assisted living facilities.  This list is not all-inclusive.

As far as professional services and approach...I offer consulting advice on organizing, which means I provide...
    (1) a free initial consult to discuss your concerns;
    (2) a follow-up meeting (or meetings depending on the challenge) to discuss solutions and/or put solutions to work;
    (3) either a 3-mos or 6-mos follow-up consult to check on your progress, re-visit old concerns, and address any updates to the system.

I am also available to provide seminars or workshops on many different subjects related to organizing.

Additionally, I am constantly writing on organizing topics.  On the national level, I am an expert author for Stacks and Stacks Clutter Control Freak Blog, ezinearticles.com, and selfgrowth.com.  For Clutterbugs, I have two products in the works: the Operation Organize series and Cheap Organizers, due out respectively in October and December 2007. I publish a weekly E-zine that includes my writings and other's work on organizing.  Finally, I create new organizing tools to post on my websites that help folks to be more organized, and I offer these tools free of charge to anyone interested.  Aside from this website, you can find these tips and tools in the Get Organized! Blog or on Organize YHB.

Question 9: Who is your typical/usual client?

A good percentage of my clients are female.  But I work with different genders, races, occupations, needs...

Question 10: Can you provide references or testimonials?

Yes, although they are somewhat limited at present since I just opened up for business!

Question 11: What are your policy and fee structures?

Please see Clutterbugs policy and fee web page.

Question 12: I have tried to get organized before. How will this be different?