After three years of being a professional organizing entrepreneur, one of our most popular guests is back to give a recap of what she learned in year 3 and what she has happening with big changes coming for year 4. Kim Snodgrass of Rustic Home Organizing in Oregon is here to have a refreshingly honest take on what her year was like. 

If you want to listen to the past years' retrospectives with Kim, starting at Epsiode 177, all three of her prior episodes are there if you'd like to take a look back!

LINKS FOR LISTENERS: Connect with Melissa: [email protected]

Connect with Kim: www.rustichomeorganizing.com

Year Four Reflection: Trials, Triumphs, and Transformations  In this episode, Melissa reconnects with Kim Snodgrass from Rustic Home Organizing to discuss her journey through her third year as a professional organizer. They delve into the ups and downs Kim faced, including major life events, business dynamics, and personal growth. Kim talks about the importance of adaptability, the evolution of her business practices, her passion for supporting women, and her ambitious new project, The Daydream Project. The conversation offers an honest, raw, and insightful look into the realities of running an organizing business, emphasizing resilience, learning, and the necessity of ongoing self-reflection. 

02:51 Year Four Recap Begins 04:35 Challenges and Reflections 07:43 Business Struggles and Personal Growth 12:44 Organizing Philosophy and Client Relations 16:32 The Realities of Organizing 27:25 Product Use and Ethical Considerations 39:20 Facing Ethical Dilemmas in Organizing 40:19 The Power of Saying No 40:57 Staying True to Your Why 42:53 The Joy of Downsizing Projects 45:43 Balancing Multiple Responsibilities 46:52 The Importance of Automations 48:08 Reflecting on Personal Growth 59:13 The Daydream Project: Empowering Women 01:02:43 Event Planning Challenges and Successes 01:10:52 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

We said that this year at Pro Organizer Studio was going to be a focus on how we can help you with your SEO--which is THE best way for people to find your organizing business. We are introducing something to help you with that!

LINK YOU NEED: organizernearme.com/advertise

Unlocking the Potential of SEO for Professional Organizers: Introducing Organizer Near Me 

Melissa and Cabri are excited to announce their new venture, OrganizerNearMe.com, a platform designed to help professional organizers enhance their SEO and connect with clients. The pod covers the importance of SEO, the benefits of joining Organizer Near Me, and how it differs from other lead generation services. They also touch on the significance of making SEO more approachable and highlight a special promotion for podcast listeners. Additionally, Cabri shares insights about her recent business ventures, emphasizing the value of selling a business. This episode is a must-listen for professional organizers looking to grow their business effectively. 

00:00 Welcome to the Pro Organizer Studio Podcast 00:42 Special Announcement with Cabri Caldwell 01:32 The Importance of Partnerships in Business 03:01 Introducing Organizer Near Me 03:41 The Power of SEO for Organizers 04:14 How Organizer Near Me Works 06:50 Benefits of Joining Organizer Near Me 22:05 Special Offers for Podcast Listeners 25:24 Expanding Business Ventures 30:58 Final Thoughts and Farewell

A lot of professional organizers are in an age range that makes this topic SUPER important--and it's one that you might need help navigating. We are talking about perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause as professional organizers. 

Links for products Kim recommends are below the timestamps!

Navigating Perimenopause and Menopause as a Professional Organizer with Kim Snodgrass of Rustic Home Organizing Today we dive into a topic Melissa has wanted to cover for a while—menopause, perimenopause, and post-menopause, especially as it impacts professional organizers.

Melissa and Kim share their personal experiences, challenges, and tips for managing symptoms while running a business. They emphasize the importance of advocating for oneself, whether with doctors or clients, and highlight the need for organizers to take care of their health and comfort on the job. The conversation includes practical advice such as using cooling products, ensuring proper hydration, and speaking up for personal needs.  00:42 Discussing Menopause and Perimenopause 02:18 Personal Experiences and Challenges 06:09 Health Advocacy and Medical Insights 09:10 Impact on Daily Life and Business 24:58 ADHD and Menopause: A Complex Relationship 31:50 Understanding Modern Life's Impact on Attention 33:04 Menopause and Unexpected Symptoms 34:36 Client Interactions and Personal Comfort 35:48 Managing Heat and Staying Cool on the Job 37:21 Practical Tips for Organizers 44:07 Adapting to Physical Changes 53:51 Advocating for Yourself and Finding Resources 58:27 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Links for cooling products Kim recommends (NOT affiliate links, this isn't an ad, it's actual stuff she uses!)

Cooling packs Powder Cooling Comforter

Most people (me!!) have not super fond memories of middle school--but for Nancy and Tina, a junior high friendship blossomed into a business partnership in a wildly successful organizing business. I am talking to them about their partnership, organizing, life, and so much more--it's the PERFECT way to end 2024 on the Pro Organizer Studio Podcast! 

LINKS FOR LISTENERS:

Connect with Tina and Nancy: www.unclutteredspaces.com

Connect with Melissa: [email protected]

The Ultimate Partnership: From Middle School Friends to Business Success

Join Melissa as she wraps up 2024 with a special interview featuring Tina and Nancy from Uncluttered Spaces. These lifelong friends discuss their journey from seventh grade classmates to co-founders of a thriving professional organizing business.

They share the ups and downs of their personal and professional partnership, provide valuable business advice, and highlight the importance of mental health in their work. Their unique approach to large-scale projects and their passion for helping others shines through!

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Wrapping Up 2024: Reflections and Excitement for 2025 00:58 Introducing Tina and Nancy from Uncluttered Spaces 01:56 The Origin Story: From Childhood Friends to Business Partners 04:09 Building a Business: Challenges and Triumphs 13:56 Navigating Partnership Dynamics 23:31 The Importance of Mentorship and Accountability 26:09 Client Relationships and Business Boundaries 34:00 Decision Fatigue and Efficient Organizing 42:39 The Impact of the Pandemic on Our Lives 43:57 Changing Perspectives on Home and Family 44:22 The Rise of Professional Organizing 47:25 Mental Health and Professional Organizing 48:33 The Value of Professional Organizing Services 52:30 Concierge Relocation Services 01:05:02 Senior Move Management 01:10:36 The Future of Professional Organizing 01:19:03 The Importance of Community and Partnership 01:26:54 Conclusion and Contact Information

Talking burnout with Dr. Camilla Moore.  (more show notes soon!) 

One of my goals as a coach is to try to prevent entrepreneurial burnout in people I love (and myself!) When my guest today reached out to ask to talk on the podcast, I knew it was going to be a good one. 

Dr. Camilla Moore is a lifestyle medicine expert who focuses on stress management and burnout prevention for women entrepreneurs. She shares her journey from a chiropractor to a full-time stress management coach, and we are talking about the challenges women face with work-life balance, especially post-pandemic, and the importance of setting boundaries to prevent burnout.

Dr. Moore provides practical tips for identifying energy-draining and energy-giving activities, setting personal policies, and maintaining a sustainable balance in personal and professional life.  Stay tuned for part two to be released tomorrow! TIME STAMPS: 00:00 Introduction and Peanut Butter Confession 01:10 Upcoming Episodes and Burnout Topic 02:01 Meet Dr. Camilla Moore 02:31 Burnout and Stress Management 04:17 Impact of the Pandemic on Women 08:12 Invisible Load and Gender Roles 12:04 Setting Personal Policies and Boundaries 12:59 Energy Management Exercise 18:35 Balancing Work and Personal Life 25:25 Preventing Burnout and Finding Joy 30:12 Conclusion and Teaser for Part Two

Pinterest has a wealth of information for us--but did you know it's also A SEARCH ENGINE? My guest today is an SEO expert for pro organizers and she is here to tell us all the goodness about how professional organizers can use Pinterest to increase their own SEO performance. 

LINKS FOR LISTENERS:

Julia Renee Consulting: Pinterest & SEO: https://juliareneeconsulting.com

Connect with Melissa for your free Pinterest helper: [email protected]

EPISODE INFO: Boost Your Organizing Business with Pinterest: Expert Tips from Julia Renee Consulting

In this episode, Melissa returns to bring valuable insights on using Pinterest as a marketing tool for organizing businesses.

Joined by Julia from Julia Renee Consulting, they delve into the benefits of Pinterest for driving traffic, SEO strategies, and actionable tips for professional organizers. Julia explains how Pinterest works as a visual search engine, offers advice on creating effective pins, and emphasizes the importance of seasonal content.

They also discuss the value of maintaining a business account, repurposing old blog posts, and tools like Canva and Tailwind to streamline pin creation and scheduling. Whether you’re a Pinterest newbie or looking to optimize your current strategy, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you attract local clients and enhance your online presence.

00:00 Welcome Back to the Podcast!

01:30 Diving into Pinterest for Your Business

02:42 Introducing Julia Renee: Pinterest and SEO Expert

03:14 Understanding Pinterest as a Visual Search Engine

04:51 Creating Effective Pins for Your Organizing Business

11:34 Setting Up and Optimizing Your Pinterest Profile

18:36 Repurposing Old Content on Pinterest

18:48 The Longevity of Pinterest Traffic

19:40 Creating Effective Video Content for Pinterest

24:49 Using Pinterest for Seasonal Content

27:25 Pinterest for Local SEO

29:24 Blogging for SEO and Pinterest

34:31 Pinterest Management Services

36:59 Conclusion and Contact Information

Inspired Organizer's price is going up at 11:59 on Monday, November 4. I'd love for you to get in before that happens! 

www.proorganizerstudio.com/join to join Inspired Organizer

https://calendly.com/proorganizerstudio/coaching-call if you'd like to have a Zoom with Melissa to talk about coaching options or what IO can do for you. 

[email protected] if you'd like to chat about anything else! 

Mastering Business Finances: Tips, Mindset Shifts, and Empowerment for Professional Organizers

LINKS FOR LISTENERS:

Schedule a Zoom with Melissa to talk about joining our programs: CLICK HERE Learn more about Inspired Organizer: CLICK HERE Get in touch with Danielle and her team at Kickstart Accounting: CLICK HERE I am talking to Danielle Hayden, founder of Kickstart Accounting Inc., to demystify the world of business finances.

From actionable strategies in bookkeeping and tax planning to understanding the different financial roles like CPAs and CFOs, we are breaking  down essential financial concepts and highlight the critical importance of knowing your numbers.

The discussion also delves into mindset shifts necessary for business success, especially for women entrepreneurs. Knowing your numbers actually means FREEDOM--and financial guidance can save and grow your business.

00:42 Tax Day and Financial Conversations  04:00 Introducing Danielle Hayden and Her Journey 08:25 Understanding Bookkeeping and Accounting 18:57 The Importance of Knowing Your Numbers 22:46 Budgeting and Financial Planning for Small Businesses 26:46 Support for Business Owners with Financial Challenges 28:07 Creating a Safe Space for Financial Conversations 29:34 Taking Responsibility as a Business Owner 30:28 The Importance of Nonjudgmental Financial Support 32:58 Understanding the Infinite Game of Business 35:33 The Role of Gender in Business Ownership 39:57 Practical Tips for Business Finances 41:20 Overcoming Financial Disorganization 45:22 The Importance of Separating Business and Personal Finances 46:50 Navigating State-Specific Financial Regulations 48:21 Breaking the Taboo: Talking About Money 52:07 How to Get Financial Help and Support 53:18 Conclusion and Final Thoughts