Year in Review, 2023
I am so grateful for a fun and rewarding past year full of wonderful home organizing clients with challenging projects and the addition of two team members I love working with. I'd love to share some of the highlights of 2023 and what I am looking forward to in 2024…
The Very Best Highlights of 2023
This past year has been so fulfilling for me as a business owner. I wrapped up Organized by Meg's first full year in business in Colorado since making a cross country move in 2022. I was thrilled to surpass my company's goal to break even by the end of 2023 and was able to accomplish this with two amazing employees added to the OBM team. Together we worked over 650 organizing hours, helping 16 busy families declutter and organize 70 spaces in their homes. We are grateful to have worked on quite a few whole-home decluttering and organizing projects, multiple garage organization overhauls and oh-so-many closet, mudroom and basement transformations throughout the Denver area - such as Littleton (specifically Roxborough, Ravenna, Sterling Ranch, and Highlands Ranch), Wheat Ridge, Solterra in Lakewood, North Denver, Castle Pines Village in Castle Rock and a travel heavy project in Timnath for a much-loved previous client of mine who moved up north. Delivering practical solutions to busy families with working parents who need systems in place to help their homes run from more efficiently is what brings me joy with each and every project. Meeting new families and getting to know them and their needs is so much fun and really helps us piece together organizing solutions customized for each and every household.
Organized by Meg was honored to be featured in publications like Colorado Parent Magazine, Bold Journey and The Scout Guide Denver which highlights amazing local and small businesses in the greater Denver area. I was able to accomplish other goals in my home organizing business as well, like starting this blog, changing our pricing structure to simplify it and better align the services we provide families with the value we deliver, and growing from organizing homes all by myself to a small team of organizers for bigger projects. Working in a team of two or more home organizers helps OBM service more clients and complete more organizing projects in less time, while staying true to our number one goal which is providing an exceptional, personalized customer service experience.
The Toughest Challenges of 2023
This past year has also been full of challenges. Since moving from the east coast in early 2022, I had to take a break from focusing on my home organizing company to build a new life in Littleton, Colorado with my husband, two sons and many pets. I re-launched Organized by Meg in the fall of 2022 and underestimated how hard it would be to start over from scratch and build a completely new network of clients, colleagues and other contacts. I was glad I took the time I spent transitioning from the move to reflect on how I ran my business in New Jersey and incorporate things that I learned into the re-launch, setting numerous business goals for 2023 while giving myself grace and time to rebuild. I knew that if I started my organizing company once and was successful, that I could certainly do it again. Starting over meant saying “yes” to some things that maybe I would not have otherwise and from that came opportunities for growth, as well as the realization that maybe that “yes” wasn't always the the right decision. I believe that every mistake stands to teach me something in life or in business and I love to learn. Growing my organizing service team also came with challenges as I had to shift my mindset to include others in my work as well as learn a lot about employment law. While learning the details about employing others isn't so much fun, I do love employing other women and moms who love organizing as well and want to design a life they love while still earning money - just like me. Plus, it's fun and not so lonely to collaborate with others. Like I tell my clients, us women cannot do it all - it's ok and sometimes necessary to ask for help!
The Biggest Plans & Goals for 2024
My goals for Organized by Meg in 2024 include helping another 10 to 15 families organize their homes, to be able to reach my bigger goal of 50 families helped by the end of 2024 - cumulative for OBM since starting in 2019. So far we have helped 37 families get over 150 spaces in their homes decluttered and beautifully organized. I love my repeat clients of course, so while I always aim to help new families, I also maintain a focus on being available for my clients who have seen the benefits of an orderly and organized home and desire to tackle new projects or need “resets” for increased efficiency.
Another business goal of mine in 2024 is to sit for the board certification exam to become a Certified Professional Organizer. This is offered by NAPO (National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals), the industry group I am a member of both nationally and locally here in Colorado. I have many other behind-the-scenes business goals as well, but one worth noting here is that as always, my goal is to balance my business with my personal life in a way that fulfills me and meets the needs of everybody around me to the greatest extent possible. My business is like my 3rd baby but I also have two kids, a husband, pets, a home, friends and distant family to stay connected with so inevitably things can fall out of balance. When this happens, I like to remind myself of my "why" - why did I get into this line of work and why do I choose to be self-employed? Because I love the work! I love helping other busy, overwhelmed women and families get organized because I know how important organization is to reducing stress and being productive. But I also wanted a career that works around my family life and allows me to prioritize them when I need or want more time on that end. This organizing career enables me to do just that - so sometimes a little reflection helps me adjust my schedule when things fall out of balance. Lastly, balance is what balance looks like to me or what it looks like to you - it's not a one size fits all approach. Some months you may need a 50/50 balance but other times it may require an 80/20 or even a 100/0 depending on what's going on in your life. When priorities need to shift, asking for help and re-prioritizing is essential to managing your schedule.
The Chance to Work with You in 2024
If you are looking for increased order and efficiency in your home in 2024, Organized by Meg is here to help you save time and money and reduce stress. Just like with any change you make in life, the change starts with YOU. While we are here to physically transform your space to aid in your mental clarity, it is up to you to maintain the change. We pride ourselves on creating home organizing systems customized to your family and lifestyle that are easy to maintain - but they still do require some work on your part. A simple mindset shift to putting things away in their new designated place, in a timely manner, and purging these spaces throughout the year will keep you feeling good and keep your home looking great.
If you love the idea of getting more organized, learn more about how Organized by Meg will transform your whole Denver area home…and your life in 2024! Join our mailing list to get inspired and grab your behind-the-scenes guide here. And if you’d like to see how our Denver area clients have benefited from our home organizing services check out over 50 5-star reviews here.
Cheers to an organized year ahead!
Meg
