What were you doing before SOS? I spent 10 years in financial planning industry, assisting Financial Advisors and their Assistants. I got to create my own job description, as they simply hired me because they liked me, but when I asked “What do you want me to do?”, they didn’t have an answer, beyond filing. So I wrote my own job description as one who got to create systems and train others, mostly in how to interact with each other and be more productive.
After 10 years, then what? I began this business in July 1999.
Were you always this organized, or was there an epiphany? I’ve always been this way. I was the crazy kid who organized my drawers, clothes, and shoes, everything lined up and color-coordinated. I enjoy cleaning out and organizing the refrigerator. To this day, I still help my mom and aunt organize the pantry, kitchen, refrigerator and more. In college, while working at a bank, I standardized the layout at each teller window, so that “memos of the day” could be found even by part-timers.
So how did your own kids turn out? I have a stepson, who came into my life when he was seven; for about five years, he was great at keeping his room and other rooms in the house organized. But now he takes after his Dad, a Messy. Yes, I married a Messy. What was I thinking?
When working with or living with is a Messy, what is your solution? Establish zones for organizing and zones for messiness. Only in certain zones or corners in my house can things drop and pile up. If I am working with clients at home, I meet with all parties concerned and guide conversations they can have about boundaries with spouse or kids.
Does this strategy carry over to workplace, too? If I can work with the whole team, this can affect the culture and how they play and work together. If I work with one person’s corner, others will take note and a ripple effect may begin.
If you could do any other career, what? I’d work in banking, as a teller, as I love interacting with regular customers and playing with money.
Is your particular career part of an industry or field of study? In which case, how do you break into it? Yes, I belong to the National Association of Professional Organizers (www.NAPO.net). Organizers from across the country have written and present curriculum for beginning to veteran organizers. Many states, including Wisconsin, have a local chapter. It’s not just about being organized yourself, so much more is involved. The UW Small Business Development Center offers classes on starting and running your own business; everything you'd want to know about marketing, finance, acquiring clients, etc. There is also a Certification Program (www.cerfifiedprofessionalorganiers.org). Our goal as an organizer is not to do the organizing for you, but to teach and transfer organizing skills to our clients. I didn’t think I would be a teacher, but I guess I got some of my talent from my mom, who was a teacher.
So how do you get your clients? My clients come from Referrals (30%), association memberships (Middleton Chamber, Madison Area Business Consultants, etc.), and the internet (40-45%). Having a web presence is huge. Since about 95% of my clients are women, I also regularly attend Wisconsin Women Entrepreneurs (WWE) and Business & Professional Women (BPW) meetings.
What kind of corporate client is attracted to SOS? One of my current corporate clients is Kimberly Clark, mostly the R&D department. I have also worked with CUNA Mutual, American Family, several banks, and the UW-Madison Registrar’s Office. Common denominator: reduce stress, be more productive, and spend less time at the office.
You are obviously very successful at what you do, so what’s your secret? I am tenacious. I do not give up. And I absolutely love what I do. People hire me because they need help and because they like me.
What is your solution for the classic procrastinator? Get it on your calendar, get it scheduled in its various action steps. If you don’t fill up your white space with the important stuff, the urgent things and distractions will take over.
What is the solution for hoarders? The Institute for Challenging Disorganization (www.challengingdisorganization.org) is a great resource for chronically disorganized people—and those who care for them.
For more about Nancy and Successful Organizing Solutions visit her website at www.sosorganize.net