I want to do this, but I only have 1-2 days a week to start

That’s fine! Starting a business part-time is a smart move. That way, you can keep your current job or other responsibilities as a safety net while you work on building your business. And don't worry about whether or not it'll work for all your clients. You only need it to work for a few, and clients are usually very understanding of limited availability. And when you're ready, you can always grow and expand, or not. The choice is completely up to you!

Most people I know are tight with their money. I don’t think this will fly where I live…

While it’s true not everyone will invest in a professional organizer, unorganized people exist everywhere and it only takes a small percentage of them to make a successful business. Organizing is a necessity, not a luxury. Look around and notice what people are buying, like cars, houses and TVs, these are all indicators that people are willing to invest in things that improve their quality of life. The key is to identify the right people who want and value this service, and provide them with that value.

I’m scared of running into a “Hoarding” type situation

It's understandable to be concerned about encountering a hoarding situation when starting an organizing business, but you can choose to not work on these types of projects right from the start. You’ll quickly realize what type of project it is during your initial discovery call and you can politely refer them to a specialist if you need to.

By setting clear boundaries and referring clients to specialists if necessary, and building a strong reputation, you can attract clients who are seeking help with more general organization.

I’m afraid I’m going to get too busy, too fast

If the thought of getting too many clients at once overwhelms you, there’s an easy solution… The key is to remember YOU are in control of your schedule and YOU can set clear boundaries to manage your workload. AND it IS okay to turn away clients if you are already booked up and prioritize the clients you already have. And, if you’re up for it, getting too busy means you may be ready to grow and expand by bringing on team members.

I don’t want to sound salesy, it’s just not me

No one wants to be a slimy sales person, right? The great news is you don’t have to! Keeping things super natural is key. It’s really about asking the right questions and listening. Instead of selling, focus on building an emotional connection with your clients by understanding their needs and providing a solution that aligns with their values. Coming up with great questions you can reference on your initial calls will make all the difference.

I’m afraid my spouse or partner won’t be supportive

Look, I get it, fortunately for me my husband’s always been very supportive, but I know the reality is, most spouses aren’t so quick to jump on board. Clear communication is key here. The best approach is usually to find a good time to talk and share your goals, how starting this business is a low-risk opportunity with big returns, and how it'll benefit both of you.

I remember one of our students even made a presentation for their husband to show how much this really meant to them. Now I don’t think you need to go that far, but whatever you feel is right. The point is, it’s important to have your own goals and desires and you shouldn’t be afraid to go after them and really make them happen, right?

I’m afraid of failing and that it’s too risky

I totally get why you might be worried about failing and that it's too risky to start an organizing business. Starting something new can be scary and it's normal to have doubts. But here's the thing, failure is not the opposite of success, it's a part of it. Every successful entrepreneur has failed before. And when it comes to risk, starting a professional organizing business is not as risky as you think if you have a solid plan and support system. And the best case scenario? You'll be living your dream doing something you love and really making a difference in others’ lives!

I think there’s just way too much competition

I can understand why you might think there's too much competition. I mean if you do a search in Google in your area, you might find lots of organizers… But, here's the thing, competition is not always a bad thing. It means there is a demand for the service. It also means that there are other organizers who are getting booked up, leaving room for you to get in and take your share of the market. Additionally, you can differentiate yourself by offering unique services or by targeting a specific niche market. Remember, competition can be a sign of opportunity and not a barrier to entry. With the right positioning, you will be able to make your business stand out and succeed.

I don’t think this will work during a recession

Yes, it is true that during a recession, some individuals may not be able to afford a professional organizer, but that’s just as true outside of a recession. I personally started my organizing business back in 2009, at the peak of the last recession, and I got my first client 2 days later followed by many many more…

And, according to research from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 33% of Americans still spend a significant amount of money during a recession. And that’s likely the same percent of people who are hiring professional organizers anyways.

My experience and the experience of my students proves that people still hire organizers whether the economy is up or if it’s down. It’s super important to remember you don’t need EVERYONE to be able to hire you. You just need a handful of clients each month to do very well.

I heard you need to be certified and first work 1500 hours

There’s a lot of misinformation out there or ways to read into things wrong. While there is a certification course out there that first requires you to work 1500 hours of organizing projects, that’s just a private company. There’s no official regulation or certification for professional organizers available. Anyone can call themselves a professional organizer right from the start without a single document saying they are a professional organizer. Now, I do believe you should have some training and know what you’re doing, but as far as legal requirements, you definitely don’t have to first work 1500 hours.

I don’t want to build a team or I don’t want to do this all alone

That’s a valid concern one way or the other. The beauty of this is, you don’t have to have a team of organizers or you can. It’s completely up to you and how you want to design your business. If you hear me talking about students making 6-figures and having a team, that doesn’t mean you have to have a team as well. Maybe you just want a side income on the weekends or to make $5000 a month, or more, as a solo-organizer… it’s your business and you can do what you want! What a great concept, right? To actually be in control and make decisions based on what you want or don’t want. It’s the most wonderful feeling in the world!