The Professional Home Organization industry is a pretty remarkable one. It’s growing exponentially each year and the women who are behind the large majority of Professional Organizing companies are powerhouses. Most started these companies because they loved organizing and wanted to help others find more peace in their homes and lives… and those who are thriving have learned that owning a professional organizing business involves A LOT more than just being great at organizing.
The How To: Summit is one of our favorite gatherings for Pro Organizers (another one is the Organizer’s Collective). Both events are unique in their own way, but the common denominator is that they bring organizers together and create community. This past weekend over 400 organizers gathered from all over to connect, learn, and grow.
For those who weren’t able to attend, here are some of the things that I learned from my favorite professional organizers in the industry.
Biggest Takeaways from My Favorite Pro Organizers
Creating Systems for Your Business
Susie Salinas, founder of Systems by Susie, spoke all about systems and had so many great tips.
“Sometimes you have to slow down in order to speed up.”
Systems = freedom.
There is no perfect system. Find what is best for you and what you will actually use.
Use technology to record SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures). I love the idea of recording videos of basic processes and what a typical day on a job looks like.
Automate whatever you can. We all know this, but the more we automate, and the more efficiencies we create, the more time and money we save long term.
Don’t be the bottleneck for your business. I do this all the time. I put too much on my plate and then projects and task lists don’t get done.
Strategic Goals & Planning
Tonia Misvaer, the CEO of Erin Condren, spoke about creating goals and strategically planning. She asked us to define what success means to us. Then she spoke with us about the methods she uses to create productivity in her busy life.
The first thing she does is set aside a special time to really plan her coming year, set her vision, and create goals. This is what she does during her ‘Year in Preview’:
Take time to review previous year, what worked, what didn’t? What fills you and inspires you?
Set your vision, 10-12 big goals
List intentions
Create action items: bite sized achievable tasks you can achieve on a daily basis
Break down quarterly and monthly goals (look at it every single day)
Review your goals. Do tasks ladder up to your big goals? Bake them into your schedule
Track your goals: make a plan, write it down, and say it aloud. If you are wishing for something but haven't put it into action, it will never come to fruition.
Find what will help you keep your goals, like having an accountability group or blocking your time to focus on what matters.
"If you only pay attention to the things that are the loudest in your lives, you will never be able to get to the most important things — the things that truly move your life forward."
Organizer Teambuilding
Jen Robin, founder of Life in Jeneral, did a workshop all about teams and it was so good!
Grow deep, not wide
Invest in your team
Build a company that works for YOU
Your team is your brand
Start with your mission and values, then find people who align with them
Hire for character, passion, and hard work
Set clear expectations for every role
Invest in training processes
Build a culture of open and honest communication and feedback
Communicate clear rates (e.g. training rate for 3-4 weeks, then raise after)
Record every training you do and use them when you bring new people on
Create crystal clear expectations for everyone on the team (checklists can be very helpful)
Take care of your team and they will take care of your clients
Nurture and continue to sharpen the skills of those on your team
If you need to let team members go, make sure to do it in person or over face time so they can see your face
"An empowered team is a more independent team."
The Value of Digital Presence
Melissa Kleug, owner of Pro Organizer Studio, taught about the value of digital presence in her presentation. She said focusing on these 5 things will have the greatest impact on helping clients find you.
SEO
Blog at least once a month
Plan ahead
YouTube
Google business listing
Post daily (quantity over quality)
Micro blogs (copy & paste from other platforms, like Instagram)
Requires feeding and watering
Include photos, a CTA (call to action), and a "Learn More" button
Update geographic location(s)
Ask clients for reviews
Lead magnets
Email marketing
People who are looking for us are overwhelmed. We want them to feel understood and heard, like we get them. If you were a client, what would you want?
3 things to think about in digital presence:
Simplicity
Authenticity and connection: story telling, make it about them
How can you solve their problem?
Website mistakes:
Too many clicks
Missing geo location
Who am I hiring?
What do you do?
Use the word “overwhelmed” in your website
Finances for Professional Organizers
Corrine Morahan, founder of Grid and Glam, spoke on finances. It was so educational and helpful! Here are my favorite nuggets from what she shared:
Create KPIs (Key Performing Indicators) that track the things that matter most to you.
Profit margin: should be greater where you are spending most of your time.
Percentage of revenue goal. Track it regularly. Because we are in the middle of September, you should be at ~67% of revenue goal for the year.
If revenue stopped, how much cash would you need to keep running? Keep 6-7 months in savings.
Do you have a monetary goal and a non-monetary goal?
Build a business model that will make things happen.
Set a separate bank account for taxes (e.g. high yield savings account).
It’s ok to track lagging indicators, because with the right data they can also help you make projections.
Bill clients 3x what you pay your organizers.
Of all the amazing things I learned, I would say the community is one of the biggest takeaways. We are so fortunate to be part of an industry that is so supportive and collaborative. I met so many new faces, faces I’ve only seen on IG and reconnected with friends from years past. Thanks to Brandie and Ryan for creating this community for us all to grow together.
What takeaways did you have from the HT:S? We’d love to hear!
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.
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