Q&A with a Professional Organizer - Ellen Damaschino

Ellen Damaschino, CPO® – Portland, Oregon – www.neatorganizer.com

1. How long have you been a professional organizer?
I started my company Neat in 2003 and have been growing and changing my business ever since. For the last 4 years I’ve been doing television segments on organization and have been the Organizing Editor on the national television show Better™ for the last two years. One of the things I love about being a Professional Organizer is the new set of challenges I get to face with every client. Really I should be called a “Professional Problem Solver” because that is what I do on a daily basis.

2. What inspired you to become a professional organizer?
I, unlike most Professional Organizers you talk to, have not been organized my whole life. I fell into this business by accident.

I worked in the restaurant business for 15 years and was a professional pastry chef. I was burnt out and always wanted to open my own business. I left my last restaurant job intent on opening a shop called Pie (all pies, all day) until, during my hiatus, a friend asked me to help her organize her home office.  She commented that I always seemed on top of my schedule, my home was organized and I had a creative knack (most pastry chefs are quite detail oriented and creative).  I agreed to do it, I admit for the cash but then I was hooked! I loved the problem solving, the creativity and most of all the interaction with the clients.  I began to do some research on the profession and was shocked to learn that NAPO (the National Association of Professional Organizers) existed. I joined both the National and Oregon chapter and immediately started my company Neat. Pie was history and Neat was my future!

3. What is the most common organizing project you’re hired to do?
For residential clients I do a lot of space planning, especially for kitchens and closets. There are a lot of design elements that I bring into my work because I believe if you don’t love your space and if it is not aesthetically pleasing to you, you won’t keep it organized.

I also work with moms who are overwhelmed by trying to maintain work/life balance. I am very empathetic to these clients because I have two kids of my own, a business, a household to run and several volunteer positions so I really understand what they are going through because I live it!

My small business and home based business clients are usually struggling with paper processing and time management issues. For my small business clients I really am a project manager for organizing!

4. What is the most common organizing challenge people have?
Paper. Most paper problems are really time management issues.  I am usually called in to help with the piles or the backlog from what I call the “box and bag method” of organization. The “box and bag method” is where you quickly clear off your desk or dining room table when someone is coming over by sweeping the contents into a box or paper bag and then shoving it into the closet or under your desk.  This type of paper issue is usually rooted in not having a home for the objects themselves or a time management problem.

5. If you had to pick ‘your’ biggest organizing challenge, what would it be?
Photos.  I am going to admit that I have a very large trunk of photos in my basement that have yet to be organized.  I think what I really need about 50 Rubbermaid Photo and Media Storage Boxes® to help me organize this huge project. I know I have photos as far back as high school in that trunk somewhere! To give myself credit, I have been really good at organizing my digital photos; it’s just the actual prints I’m struggling with.

6. How do I find and hire a Professional Organizer?
The best way to find a Professional Organizer is to contact the National Association of Professional Organizers, NAPO @ www.napo.net. You can find links to your local or state chapter on that site.

Once you have a list of names you it is best to interview a few organizers before you make your choice.  Make sure they specialize or have experience in the area you need help with. If possible try and hire someone with CPO® certification because it means they “have met specific minimum standards, and proven through examination and client interaction that they possess the body of knowledge and experience required for certification (Scott Roewer).”

It is also important that you “click” with your organizer and that you feel comfortable working with that person. The process of getting organized is highly personal and you want to work with a organizer who understands your needs, has the skill set to help you achieve your goals and most of all someone you feel open and honest with.

7. What one tips would you give to people who are trying to get organized?
Know what organized looks and feels like to you. Not everyone has the same organizing comfort level.  If you thrive in a bit of chaos, that’s perfectly OK.  If you have to have an environment that is completely clutter-free, that’s OK too.  I think we all need to give ourselves a break and create the organized environment that works for you.  Your home doesn’t (and shouldn’t) look like the cover of a magazine, it should be a reflection of the way your family truly lives: that’s real life organization!

8. How can potential clients get in touch with you?
Go to my website www.neatorganizer.com and click on the email link.  If you are interested in hiring Neat for your next organizing project I work in Portland OR and SW Washington. I also provide online organizing consultations and will travel nationally.

If you’d like to follow my blog, www.theorganizingcafe@blogspot.com and I am also on Twitter.  To watch my television segments go to www.better.tv, click on the “organization” link on the left or put my name into the search box and all of my segments will be available for viewing!