frequently asked questions
Who are your clients?
My clients come from all walks and strolls of life. They are people who are ready and willing to step into the changes before them or to forge a new path by making change happen. They are parents-to-be and retirees, homemakers and tech workers on the go, artists and medical practitioners, small business owners and directors of nonprofits, professionals and students, and everyone in between.
My clients range from those with ADHD and chronic disorganization challenges to the incredibly organized. Yes, that’s right, even highly organized people need support to refine and revise their spaces and systems!
Due to allergies, all are non-smokers and many (but not all) are feline-free.
What is the geographic area of your clientele?
While the majority of my clients are located in the immediate San Francisco Bay Area, I have worked with clients as far east as New York City, along the west coast from Los Angeles to Portland, and across the northern border in Canada. In other words, I can work with you wherever you are located in North America.
How do I know if you are the right professional organizer for me?
Organizers are hardly one size fits everyone. Think about the people whom you’ve chosen to be your primary care doctor, hairdresser, gardener, personal trainer, or dog sitter. Chances are you’ve sought service providers who listen to you, who make you feel comfortable, and whose attitudes, values, and even philosophies are in alignment with your own.
Our initial phone consultation is a perfect opportunity to see if we are a good fit. We’ll discuss your organizing needs and goals, as well as the timeframe and budget you have in mind. I’ll also answer any questions you have about the process.
Where are your before/after photos?
Photos only show the physical changes inherent in the work that takes place with clients. The most powerful changes occur within the individuals, so photos of a cluttered/decluttered space fall short of expressing the true before and after results of the organizing process. Getting organized and being organized looks and means something different for each of my clients. For most, it’s not about making every nook and cranny of their home photo shoot-ready for a magazine spread. Read actual client testimonials to understand how this work routinely transcends the physical stuff. But you’d like to see a before, during, and after series, check out the radical transformation of one client’s home office.
If I hire you, do I need to get rid of things?
Gandhi sums up my response better than anyone: “As long as you derive inner help and comfort from anything, you should keep it. If you were to give it up in a mood of self-sacrifice or out of a stern sense of duty, you would continue to want it back, and that unsatisfied want would make trouble for you. Only give up a thing when you want some other condition so much that the thing no longer has any attraction for you.”
What do you think of Marie Kondo?
There is a lot of optimism and promise in her books that resonates with many people, but the truth is her approach is not for everybody. We need to take any trend, fad, or celebrity with a grain of salt. Like any diet, for example, it’s not a one-size-fits-all. (You can hear me respond to host Mina Kim on this topic and more during my appearance on KQED’s Forum in January 2016.)
Will you work with me even if I’m not very “green” or interested in zero waste?
Absolutely. Our collaboration is about focusing on your needs, goals and agenda. Period. And if you become curious or inspired about sustainable options, I’ll be happy to go there with you.
Is hiring you worth the expense?
My clients think so, so yes, yes it is! Look at it this way: When there is a clog or a leak in your plumbing you call in a pro to remedy the situation and get things flowing on the right course. Likewise, when you feel stuck with a project or you are losing funds due to unsupportive systems in your life, you can call me. How much longer can you afford to not be more organized?
What does it cost?
How and how often we work together depends on your needs, budget, and availability. One consultation session may be all you need. Short-term support and assistance over a period of weeks or months to get you through a particular project is another possibility. Yet another is ongoing or recurrent support for as long as you desire. Equal doses of patience, humor, confidentiality*, and creativity are always included.
My fees are priced competitively for professional organizing services in the San Francisco Bay Area. They reflect my many years of cumulative experience and expertise. Fees for services are charged on an hourly basis, and any agreed upon expenses are billed separately.
*I honor both the NAPO Code of Ethics and the ICD Code of Ethics in all my professional relationships.
How do we get started?
It’s simple. Let’s chat.
Do you offer gift certificates?
For obvious reasons I love the idea of giving the gift of time with a professional organizer; however, the answer to this question is yes, but… I am happy to provide a gift certificate only if the proposed recipient is amenable to your generous gesture. I recommend that you spring the idea on them first. Giving a gift that is truly welcome is most rewarding for both the giver and the recipient.
Don’t see your question here? Just ask. I’d love to hear from you.
