3 Top Skills You NEED When Starting a Professional Organizing Business

Starting a professional organizing business is exciting, but it’s also a completely different game than organizing your own space or helping friends. There’s a skill set that will help you succeed, attract your ideal clients, and grow your business faster and it goes beyond just knowing how to declutter. Here are the three top skills you absolutely need when starting your professional organizing business.

3 Professional Organizing Skills You NEED

1. Organizing Skills (Level Up!)

You may be a natural at organizing, but getting paid to organize takes your skills to a whole new level. Clients expect not just tidiness, but systems that make their life easier. This means:

• Creating sustainable solutions tailored to each client’s lifestyle

• Designing storage that is functional and beautiful

• Streamlining spaces so clients can maintain them on their own

As you start your professional organizing business, hone your craft and always ask yourself: Does this solution solve a real problem for my client?

2. Interpersonal Skills

Organizing is an intimate service. You’ll be working in someone’s home, often helping them tackle spaces tied to emotions and memories. Strong interpersonal skills are just as important as organizing skills.

• Be curious and empathetic

• Listen carefully to your client’s challenges and desires

• Show up as an expert who can guide without judgment

Developing these interpersonal skills will help your clients trust you and feel confident in your expertise. It’s the difference between a one-time job and a client who recommends you again and again.

3. Photo-Taking Skills

You might be thinking, “I just need to organize. Why do I need photography skills?” Let me tell you: this is huge.

If you can’t visually show the transformation of your work, it’s much harder to attract clients. Great photos:

• Showcase your results and expertise

• Build your online presence with a professional portfolio

• Make your social media posts more engaging and shareable

Pro tip: Filters can make a big difference. Studio McGee presets are amazing for giving your photos a clean, professional, cohesive look.

Honing Your Skills and Finding Your Niche

As you practice and gain experience, you’ll have some trial and error and that’s okay! The more you niche down, the easier it is to:

• Define your offerings

• Find your ideal client

• Focus your marketing where demand overlaps with what you’re truly good at

For example, you might specialize in home offices, relocation organizing, or luxury concierge moves. A clear niche makes your business easier to scale and gives you a competitive edge.

Additional Tips for Your First Year

Along with these three skills, there are a few other key practices that will help you launch and grow your professional organizing business:

1. Build a Strong Online Presence

   1. Create a professional website with services, experience, and contact info

   2. Use social media to engage clients and share organizing tips

   3. Collect testimonials to build credibility

2. Network and Collaborate

   1. Attend local events, trade shows, and community gatherings

   2. Build relationships with real estate agents, interior designers, and other professionals

   3. Collaborate with fellow organizers to share insights and referrals

3. Offer Free Workshops or Resources

   1. Host free organizing workshops or webinars

   2. Share helpful blog posts, checklists, or ebooks

   3. Position yourself as a resource in your community

4. Implement Efficient Business Systems

   1. Streamline client onboarding, project management, and invoicing

   2. Invest in organizing tools and supplies to increase efficiency

   3. Use scheduling software to keep appointments and deadlines on track

Starting a professional organizing business is a journey, and your first year is all about learning, refining, and building confidence. Focus on organizing skills, interpersonal skills, and photo-taking skills, hone your niche, and use proven systems to support your business.

By investing in yourself and your skills, you’ll attract clients faster, create beautiful transformations, and build a business that works for you.

Jen Martin

From a young age, Jen Martin, always loved organizing. As she grew older and had a family of her own, her love and value of an organized home just continued to grow. With four kids of her own, she knows how important organizational systems are to the foundation and well-being of a family's day-to-day life.​ Jen started Reset Your Nest in 2020 to bring her organizational skills to the rest of Utah. Her team of trained organizers has carefully and lovingly transformed the homes of over 500 homes. Jen has been featured on numerous television shows, podcasts, blogs, and books including Organized Living by Shira Gill, KSL Studio 5, AG Clever, and more.