Carole J. Manna of Skokie, Illinois, has always been performing his duty as professional organizer. Even when she was three years old, she would arrange her toys in order. She quit her teaching job and went to work in broadcasting in California. While there, she realized she had a talent of becoming a professional organizer, gained a lot of experiences by working on different assignments and projects in her company's office.
Manna decided to go out on her own and for the past fourteen years, her business, Organization Unlimited, has served both residential and corporate clients in setting up library and filing systems in addition to general time and space management. She also produced a video on organizational tips that was sponsored by Stanley Hardware and Rubbermaid. Manna says, "Eighty percent of clutter is not due to insufficient space, but disorganization. I help people regain control of their surroundings once again, which gives them peace of mind in their otherwise hectic schedules." Professional organizer is liable of organizing and managing all the projects and assignments exclusively.

Start-Up Costs And Financing Sources

* $3,000-$5,000.
* Personal savings, small business loans, credit line on credit cards.
Pricing Guidelines
* $40-$ 125 an hour (have at least a four-hour per day minimum)
* Options include setting up a one-time service or a regular, periodic service.
* More can usually be charged in urban areas than rural.
* Charge more according to your experience and expertise.

Marketing And Advertising Methods And Tips

* Develop a marketing program and modify it to fit the customers you are targeting. You need different marketing methods for corporate clients and residential clients.
* Send out press releases with follow-up phone calls when you are ready for business.
* Volunteer to give speeches on organizing.
* Offer one free hour of consultation to benefit auctions.
* Advertise on local radio and cable television.
* Put together a portfolio to give to prospective clients. Manna's portfolio includes copies of letters from satisfied customers, copies of articles written about her in newspapers and magazines, and a business card and brochure of her services. Also include before and after pictures.
* Advertise in the business telephone directory.
* Leave promotional materials at closet organizing stores.

Essential Equipment

Filing system (manual or computerized); business telephone line with answering machine, answering service, or voice mail; dependable vehicle; space containers; organizing supplies based on customer needs.

Recommended Training, Experience, Or Needed Skills

* Volunteer to organize others' residential rooms or offices to see if you like this business of professional organizers and if you have a talent for it.
* Read books on organizing.
* Have a talent of becoming a professional organizer and be able to visualize (almost like an artist) what needs to be done to a room or space, according to Manna.
* Have good people skills and be able to deal with individual styles and tastes.

Income Potential

$20,000 -$30,000

Type Of Business

¼ in-home for running the business and planning and ¾ of time out-of-the-home for organizing and giving talks.

Best Customers

Professionals with business or home offices; people who work full-time and are involved in community projects at the same time; people with extensive, private libraries; people who work from their homes, such as writers, researchers, college students, professional practitioners.

Helpful Tips

* Teach your clients how to stay organized through effective and easy-to-follow methods.
* Customize your knowledge to your customer's needs.
* Always put your customer's needs first. Be flexible.
* Market your business continually to keep the customers coming.

Additional Business Ideas

* Conduct research studies for specific businesses on how to make the most efficient use of their space and time.
* Specialize in organizing closets.

Tips Of Becoming Professional Organizer

Professional Organizers offer information, products and support to assist others systematically for the fulfillment of the necessities of life. The most important question is that how to become a professional organizer? If you are thinking over it how does I become professional organizers, you would find the answer of your queries when you keenly take experience by observing the activities of the professional organizers. Austin professional organizer offers the multiple functions of guiding, encouraging and educating the clients about basic principles of organizing by presenting support, focus and direction. Clarity professional organizer is also very reliable and reputable for the superior quality organization and management in a very professional manner