Posts by Anne Blumer
How to Start a Professional Organizing Business
Eight of my colleagues contributed to this blog post. It is a GREAT launching point for “how-to” start a professional organizing business. It’s also a persuasive set of arguments for why someone needs to hire a professional organizer
Read MoreGrow Your Business – Virtual Organizing
Sheila Delson, former ICD president, launched her Virtual Organizing Training Program in 2014, and I attended one of her first training sessions. As a veteran organizer with many years of working hands-on with clients, it was becoming increasingly more difficult to keep up with client demand and physical aspects associated with hands-on work. Additionally, not…
Read MoreGrow Your Business – Continuing Education and Certification
I attended my first NAPO conference in May 2003, and there I discovered the National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization (NSGCD), now Institute for Challenging Disorganization (ICD), and Judith Kolberg. I picked up Judith’s book ADD-Friendly Ways to Organize Your Life, and I could not put it down. I read the entire book on my…
Read MoreGrow Your Business – Volunteering Leads to Becoming an International Keynote Speaker
While attending the 2014 ICD conference, I received an email from the Association of Professional Declutters’ (APDO’s) conference chair inviting me to be the keynote speaker at their 2015 conference—keynote speaker, London, England! What a thrill and honor to be asked. We arranged for a Skype meeting, discussed what they wanted me to speak about,…
Read MoreGrow Your Business – Volunteering
At the beginning of my professional organizing business, I immediately joined NAPO and NAPO Oregon. I attended NAPO meetings monthly, and within six months, I was asked to serve on the Oregon board as board secretary. I was thrilled that they wanted me and of course, said yes! I remained on the Oregon board for…
Read More10 Best Organization Apps to Simplify Your Life
I was asked as a female business owner to share my favorite organization/productivity apps and why for an article in Oprah Magazine. I responded with: Wunderlist – to track all of my tasks both personal and business. Why? It is easy; I can set reminders, I can see the day, week or entire list, I…
Read MoreYou want to start an organizing business?
My friend and colleague, James Lott Jr. of the SOS Show and I breakdown what it takes to plan, launch, manage, grow, and leverage a profitable, professional organizing business. Take a listen.
Read More5 Critical Mistakes to Avoid When Starting a Professional Organizer Business
Mistake #1: Lacking business skills and know-how After the first couple of years in business as a Professional Organizer, I noticed a number of NAPO members’ businesses collapse. I was curious why their businesses failed so I asked a number of them. The primary reason wasn’t that they didn’t have organizing skills or couldn’t organize…
Read MoreGrow Your Business – Networking
Strategic alliances are individuals or businesses that share similar clients with you. Network every day. Talk to everyone about your business. Who do you know that can help you promote your business? Who can you partner with and strategically align yourself with to provide mutual marketing opportunities? A few strategic alliance examples include: realtors interior…
Read MoreTop 7 Questions About Becoming a Professional Organizer
We frequently receive inquiries and questions from people across the globe about how to become a Professional Organizer and is it the right career path for them. Questions range from “How did you get started in this business?” to “How do I get certified?” While I’m always willing to spend time answering basic inquiries, I…
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