About Mary

Thanks for visiting the Clutter-free & Organized website! I’ve worked everywhere from large businesses to individuals’ home offices and have organized entire homes as well as a single closet. I look forward to working with you! Be sure to check out the Business Testimonials, Speaking Testimonials, Residential Testimonials, and Before-and-After Pictures for Business, Residential and Chronic Disorganization.

Feel free to call with your questions. I have found that a one-on-one phone conversation is the best way to determine if we are a match. Please email me your phone number and the best time to reach you OR feel free to call me at 423-581-9460 or 865-607-9460 or 888-835-6335.

Mary's office Many have asked what my office is like, so I am including a picture. It is located about 50 feet from my house. I call it the "Biltmore Birdhouse", because while it was being built, some house wrens moved in, and I could just see them thinking they had found themselves a house the size of The Biltmore House in Asheville, NC. Anyone is welcome to stop by and give me some gardening advice; I always could use it.

Mary's Own Story

When I was a child, our house had an unfinished room that naturally became the junk room. I loved to go in there and organize it! But I often say life is a trade-off, and although organizing is in my genes, I missed out on the music and art genes that so many of my clients have. I come by my organizing talents naturally; my Father had a talent for organizing also. After we moved to Florida, he was hired to organize both product and repair/maintenance materials for Container Corporation (now Smurfit Stone Container Corporation) in Florida. This enormous undertaking was made all the more difficult because there was no system in place. Well, actually, there was an older man who knew where everything was, and if he was out you were in trouble. My Father was so successful with this organizing project that he remained at Smurfit for many years in various positions.

As an adult, I was determined not to run my household as tightly as my parents did theirs. And raising a large family of seven children certainly helped keep my organizing in check. Our structure had to be more relaxed. I do not believe life is about being a neatnik. Organization should support us in life, not control our life.

I can understand how someone can have several bookshelves of organizing books and still not be organized. I have all the gardening books, but to make things look right I need hands-on assistance. Somehow I can't translate a gardening book into reality, so I can understand how organizing doesn't flow for others even if they have many organizing books.

At home I enjoy reading, feeding the birds, and being owned by a newly adopted kitten. The birds are no trouble!, but our house now looks like we have a two-year-old because of the kitten. There are toys on the floor and no breakables within his reach. If there is a flower arrangement handy, he loves to jump in and then pull off the flowers. Update: Two more orphans have brought the total to three cats so that means more cat toys. Now the cats out-number the people and we have a full house.

About 15 years ago an article in Reader's Digest about a Professional Organizer inspired me to start my business. I thought, “I could do that!” So I immediately joined the National Association of Professional Organizers and have been to most of the national conferences ever since. In 2003 I presented a workshop on Organizing for Children.

In 2006 I was elected to a two-year term on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO). My position was director of education for the association and national conference. It was a privilege to be in a leadership position as NAPO continues to expand.

In 2004 I was certified by the National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization (NSGCD) as a Certified Professional Organizer—Chronic Disorganization. In 2007 I took the inaugural exam given by the BCPO (Board of Certification of Professional Organizers) and earned an additional title of Certified Professional Organizer. In 2008 I became an ADD Specialist, a certificate awarded by the National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization. I continue to attend several conferences a year and take classes throughout the year to keep my studies current. That puts me in the best position to help my clients.

I am a member of the National Speakers Association and the TN Nashville chapter and also attend their conferences. Attending the conferences is important because I want to bring the very best available to my clients!

I love my work. Helping people get organized is very satisfying to me, because I feel I am contributing to other people’s quality of life. My business philosophy is Simple is Smart. What is the simplest way we can organize things? If we can Clutter-free your mind and Clutter-free your space, then you will enjoy greater success with less stress!