Q: I was watching a television show that profiled a professional organizer. Can you help me learn more about how to start a business
as a professional organizer?
— M. Edmond, Brooklyn
A ; Being organized is a definite asset to becoming a professional organizer. But operating a business in this field will require more than having a knack for keeping things orderly. You will need to concentrate on creating customized organization solutions for your clients.
Most professional organizers specialize in a variety of skills and services, including home and office organizing, space planning, time management, and budgeting. Make sure you learn the essentials of preparing proposals and setting pricing for your services. This will come in handy when marketing your business to individuals and companies.
Here are some resources I found that could help you:
- Getorganizednow.com: Sign up for a free monthly newsletter that offers tips on how to be successful as a professional organizer. You can also purchase a book called The Ultimate Guide for Professional Organizers by Maria Gracia on the site.
- The National Association of Professional Organizers (www.napo.net) is dedicated to promoting organizers and the organizing industry.
- Check out The Professional Organizer’s Complete Business Guide by Lisa Steinbacher (Eternity Publishing; $29.95) and A Manual for Professional Organizers by Cyndi Seidler (Banter Books; $32.00).