Thanks for visiting our web site. 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 you 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 send 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 Portrait Download:
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Mary's Own Story
When I was a child, our house had a unfinished room that naturally became the junk room. I can remember loving 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. I can remember him being hired to organize both product and repair/maintenance materials for Container Corporation (now Smurfit Stone Container Corporation) in Florida. This enormous undertaking 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 with 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.
Even though I am very successful when working with others’ children (as I remind the Moms, it is because I am not the parent), my own children wanted to do things their way, with no well-meaning interference from me. One day, though, I came home and heard a plaintive “Mom!” from my 20-year-old who was upstairs. Her cry sounded like the world had come to an end. I zipped up to her bedroom and found her in the middle of everything she owned. She had taken it all out to organize it—emptied all her drawers, her desk, and the storage boxes under the bed. Great intentions, but at that point she was desperate to know what to do next. For once my help and advice were welcomed. Do you know the first thing to do in this situation? I used the organizing technique I use when working with a client on overload: start in a corner and work around the area. In this case I started at the doorway as that was as far as I could get into the room. By dinner time her room was in good order.
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 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 10 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 every national conference since. In 2003 I presented a workshop on Organizing for Children.
This year I was elected to the Board of Directors of the National Organization of Professional Organizers. We are currently determining the direction of the organization thru the year 2010. I'm a little nervous, but I'm taking this responsibility seriously and hope my contributions will make a difference in the professionalism of organizers everywhere. In 2004 I was certified by the National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization (NSGCD) as a Certified Professional Organizer—Chronic Disorganization. As one of fewer than 20 organizers with certification in Chronic Disorganization, I’m attending conferences and keeping my studies current. That puts me in the best position to help my clients with CD.
I am a member of the National Speakers Association and the TN Nashville chapter and also attend their yearly conferences. Attending the yearly 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!