Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Powell.
Hi michelle, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I have been in business for almost 17 years. I started Spruce Organizing in 2009 in Park City, Utah when I had 2 small children at home and knew I needed to work for myself in order to quickly adapt to a rapidly changing schedule that is parenthood. I was always a super tidy person and discovered that Professional Organizing was a somewhat newer service that was being offered to families, professionals and businesses when I came across NAPO online. (National Assoc of Professional Organizers)
With in this group I found training, validation, like minded persons, classes, annual seminars and a network of friends. I joined, started my LLC and in January of 2009 began and charging for home organizing services. Within about 3 years, it was a full time job.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Working for yourself is a test of strengh. You wear all the hats and some fit better than others:) Struggles at first (17 years ago) was educating potential clients on what a home organizer was. Then making sure that all of my insurance, taxes, regulations and rules were being followed to set up the business properly. Choosing the right accounting software, getting marketing help and choosing which social media platforms to embrace. Having computer support, hiring and training help, payroll, scheduling, R&D for products, it is alot!
I thing that is the biggest struggle is staying positive, doing a great job for clients, trying new things out constantly and remembering to be inspired but others success instead of being jealous or intimidated. All this while keeping one eye out for more clients:)
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
It may not seem like a home organizer is a creative job, at least not like an artist or true creative BUT we are problem solvers and in that sense, we need to come up with creative solutions for storing peoples stuff. And we need to make these solutions look good in the clients home or office because the reason they hire us is not only to organize their spaces BUT to make them feel better and experience pleasure when they survey their surroundings.
Finding creative solutions for fitting shoes into a closet or making a pantry or garage look great is our challenge. Sometimes we have ample budgets – other times we do not. It is always awesome when we can use somthing that the client already owns and then repurpose it to meet their organizing needs. Can an old book case become a shoe shelf? Can an umbrella holder become storage for wrapping paper? Can a linen closet become an office? YES to all. With some paint, lighting, wallpaper, pegboard or other you can even ramp up the look and functionality!!
I think what sets me apart from others is that I have a million ideas and I will not wrap a project up until it is completed to the clients satisfaction.
What makes you happy?
I love to be busy. I love to help people. I love to take somethign messy or ineffective and make it work. I am a problem solver:) I love to create beauty where there was chaos.
Pricing:
- $75 hr
- project pricing available
- available to travel
- insured
- references
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.spruceorganizing.com
- Instagram: spruceorganizingpc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spruceorganizingllc/?notif_id=1765165344449780¬if_t=page_user_activity&ref=notif
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelletothpowell/
