The Business of Organizing
Why We Organize. SK Simple Solutions
As successful businesswomen we are asked, how did you know what type of business to start? Why did you start a business? What is a professional or personal organizer? Why would anyone hire a personal organizer?
Before S & K went into business, we did our research. As a result of scouring articles on the psychology of clutter, clutter and couples, disorganized states, reduce, reuse and other mantras I compiled some of the research that stood out to me. The research struck me because I was trying to define what I wanted SK Simple Solutions to be.
The professional organizer industry is in a continuous state of evolution and as such, groundbreaking strategies and ideas that were once highly successful are no longer as productive as they were in time past. Observations in the industry reveal that the past few years have seen the rise and proliferation of social media and new tech tools. (Peek, 2019) (Profitable Venture Magazine Ltd, 2011)
The professional organizer industry is not dominated by any one corporation. The national associations provide workshops, webinars, consulting, certification opportunities, networking, and industry tips. In fact, outside of the large associations of PO Associations (NAPO, NASSM, ICD) most businesses are individually owned as sole proprietor, general partnerships, or LLCs. Many individual Professional Organizers offer virtual organizing, webinars, online workshops, how-to videos on all aspects of organizing clutter.
Our market trend research revealed what people currently want; community interaction, personalized experiences, eco-friendly sustainable environments, and the networks/organizations that can provide this. (Read my blog on eco-friendly clothes.)
Social media, technology, and apps influence society’s development and future. Though people are “online” quite a large part of their day, people still look to others to help solve day-to-day issues. A constant online presence has developed a need for more authentic human interactions. George Morris, founder of entrepreneur community The OneFifty, believes “peer groups” are going to rise in the next decade.
In his experience, many entrepreneurs struggle to find meaning and connection with their communities. In an increasingly tech-driven world, there will be a need for more “truly human interaction,” and “peer groups” will be the place to find that connection, Morris said. (Peek, 2019)
These peer groups are online forums, discussions-issues specific, and connect to others to help find solutions in their work or personal lives. This trend works toward the Professional Organizer’s advantage.
The Professional Organizer offers clients a truly personalized experience. Deborah Sweeney, CEO of startup services and consulting firm, My Corporation, said, “AI and data-driven personalization is a big trend right now, and it’s one that is here to stay.”
“Businesses that offer personalized experiences and offers that are specific to their customers are going to thrive in 2019,” Sweeney said, “Good, personalized experiences include “offers or services based on customer location, communications that are unique to that preferred channel or recommendations based upon historic purchases.” (Peek, 2019)
According to, Professional Organizer, Amber Ehrlich, said, “The launch of Netflix’s new series, “Tidying Up with Marie Kondo” has begun to inspire budding entrepreneurs to start their own organizing businesses, with a noticeable uptick in new social media accounts. (Peek, 2019)
The trend extends to increased attention paid to engagement and new market segments, adopting eco-friendly measures and sustainability. Although operators in the professional organizations industry are increasingly investing in computers and software to engage members and market their organizations online, the industry remains highly labor intensive. The research further states that professional organizations companies rely much more heavily on labor than technology to conduct their operations. (Profitable Venture Magazine Ltd, 2011)
Before After
Before After
The new look at hiring a Professional Organizer is concurrent with our society’s realization that we must take better care of our planet. In the past decade, there has been a noticeable shift in consumer expectations and behavior. Mandy Nagel, the founder of eco-friendly clothing company, I Thought of You, has found that more people are choosing to purchase quality, long-lasting items rather than items that need regular replacing.
“Wearing sustainable clothing is one of the most positive, impactful things you can do as a conscious consumer,” she said.
According to Joseph R Ferrari, there are “clutter variables” linked with procrastination; ineffective use of one’s living space; feeling overwhelmed, depressed, and worried by excessive stuff; and negative impacts of stuff on social interactions. (Ferrari, 2018) Many people cannot decide if they don’t declutter due to procrastination or that procrastinating led to their cluttered behaviors in the first place. Procrastinators’ possessions that are excessive, seem to have a negative effect on their identity. (Reichel, 2019) (Ferrari, 2018)
Nagel predicts consumers will continue to prefer companies that pursue minimalism and sustainability, so new businesses that honor these traits will grow. (Peek, 2019)
Recycled Plastic Bags
Recycled Plastic Bags Recycled Flips Flops Mat Bamboo Dog Collars
How to get to minimalism and sustainability is where Kim and I enter the picture. This is why we started our business, SK Simple Solutions. We want to help others pare down, donate, recycle, throw out, and then decide what to keep. It is in what we keep that we head toward a simple life.
The research gave Kim and I hope again that people do care for each other and our planet. I believe in recycling everything, tree intercropping (Hawken, 2017), wind turbines, increasing recycling plants, demanding that the government recycles too, and access to a personal organizer anytime, anyplace!
SK Out! Have a great week! Be happy!
References
Ferrari, J. R. (2018, June). Procrastinators and Clutter: an Ecological View of Living with Excessive "Stuff". Current Psychology.
Hawken, P. (2017). Drawdown The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming. Penguin Books .
Peek, S. (2019, March 4). 2019 Trends May Inspire New business Ideas. Retrieved from Chamber of Commerce, US: https://www.uschamber.com/co/start/business-ideas/new-business-trends
Profitable Venture Magazine Ltd. (2011). Professional Organizer Business Plan Template. Retrieved from Profitable Venture: https://www.profitableventure.com/professional-organizer-business-plan/
Reichel, C. (2019, February 11).