This Organized Life

Hi Friends!Today we are talking about what happens when a health crisis causes you to get rid of everything you own.Joining me today is actress, entrepreneur and health advocate-Noel Ellie. Noel shares her story which includes putting her career on the back burner to care for her sick mom, and what she learned during that season of her life.Little did Noel know that a few years later she would be facing her own crippling illness that resulted in her having to get rid of 99% of her possessions.During our conversation we talked about:How she had to prioritize health over workMourning the loss of material thingsWhat items were hardest to let goIn the second half of the show we talk about what organization looked like for Noel while she was growing up and she shares some of her tips and strategies with us.I hope you find inspiration and connection during this episodeWatch this episode.xo- LaurieP.S. Want to learn more about the role that our personality plays in how we respond to clutter?  Check out our new Ennea

Hi Friends! Laura Markz is a former online strategy executive, turned corporate dropout, entrepreneur, and mom of two. With over a decade of experience building businesses online and being in the trenches herself, she’s the founder of MyBizU, where her mission is to help moms across the globe build their own businesses.  Her entrepreneurial journey came on the heels of a near death experience after the birth of her son.During our conversation we talk about:Her personal wake-up call that caused her to launch her businessWhat she calls the “Mom Dilemma” and why it’s a problem3 common mistakes entrepreneurs make when starting out (and how to avoid them!)During the second half of the show we dive into what living an organized life looks like in Laura’s home. I ask her what her life was like growing up, and we discuss how her enneagram type plays a role in how she views and handles clutter.It’s a fun conversation that’s jam packed with lots of actionable information!XOXO,LaurieP.S. Laura has a special discount cod

Hi Friends! If you’ve ever had a kid go off to college, you know that the process can be exciting, emotional, and somewhat overwhelming.When my oldest daughter was leaving for college, creating a detailed checklist was the only way my brain could keep track of everything we needed to bring, what we already bought and what we needed to buy.Since that time, I’ve shared this checklist with many of my friends and family, and now I am sharing it with all of you. During today’s episode I walk through each section which is broken down by category (my secret sauce to keeping things straight!)I recommend downloading the checklist HERE, and then you can watch or listen to see how I use it.Please support us!FOLLOW TOL to have new episodes downloaded each week!REVIEW. Social influence is the most impactful way to help others find our show!Stop feeling like a Hot Mess!Now is the time to reclaim time, find freedom, and feel empowered from the “stuff” that is holding you back.Available on amazon, barnes & noble or where

Hi Friends! We are wrapping up our Clutter Clinic Series with one of life’s biggest pain points…Paper Clutter.“What if I need this someday?” “How long do I need to keep this?” “I am struggling to pay my bills so I avoid opening the mail” There is no denying that paper clutter is riddled with emotion. Whether you’re dealing with mail, school papers, work documents or never-ending subscriptions, it’s easy to find yourself feeling like you’re drinking from a firehose.Not to worry, we’re going to walk with you every step of the way.During this episode we walk through each of the clutter pitfalls and the role that each plays when it comes to paper clutter.From the tactical side, below are 3 simple and practical tips that you can start doing today. Each of these will help you reduce the volume coming in and feel confident about knowing what to throw out.1. Go Electronic for Statements.One of the easiest ways to cut down on paper clutter is to get your recurring monthly statements sent to you electronically.  One of

Hi Friends! Today we are continuing with our Clutter Clinic Series with the most popular room in the house, The KITCHEN.As the “revolving door” room that often acts as the home office, classroom, or hang out space, having a functional kitchen tops my list of must-have organized spaces.The good news is that if you are someone who struggles with clutter and organization, Kitchens are a great place to start and here’s 3 reasons why:Limited emotional clutter unlike other spaces in the homeExpiration dates make it easy to know what to purgeDrawers, cabinets, and pantries help to define your zones for youDuring the episode we’re going to walk you through our process which we use with all of our clients.STEP 1: Identify if your clutter is the result of (physical, emotional, calendar clutter)TOO MUCH VOLUME (more stuff than space)POOR LAYOUT (not enough cabinets or drawers or pantry)LACK OF PRODUCT (loose items that need corralling)HABITS & BEHAVIOR (systems are there, but no one uses them)STEP 2: Start Small: Al

Hi Friends! It’s week 3 of our Clutter Clinic Series! So far this month we’ve talked about decluttering and organizing garages, closets, and today we are talking about toys and kid spaces (the bane of every parent’s existence!) .Whether you live in a house with a dedicated playroom, an apartment where space is limited, or fall somewhere in between-all parents have struggled at some point on how to keep toys and kid spaces organized.In this episode we get right down to it: When & how do you get the kids involved?What to do with toys you want to save for the next kid?How to make clean up easy and how often should we be purging old toys?I’ve also included a link to my popular 30 Day Kids Organizing Checklist which you can download here!Purging TipsLead with serviceMake purging a tradition (birthdays, Christmas/Hanukkah)Teach them young (avoid dark of night purging)Space to Inventory ratio (don’t have more than you can store)Use ESP (our EMPTY, SORT, PURGE method)Organizing TipsClean up every day (avoid the p

Hi friends! Last week we kicked off our Clutter Clinic Series talking about garages- if you haven’t listened, I encourage you to go back and check it out. We gave a TON of practical tips to help you tackle one of the largest areas of the home.Today we are continuing with our series with the ever-popular CLOSETS!  I’m talking about 5 different types of closets including:Linen closetsHall ClosetsGuest Room ClosetsKids ClosetsMaster ClosetsBefore we get into it, let’s look at some statistics that may surprise you:97% of surveyed realtors believe that homeowners covet closet space more than basement and attic storage space. (Braun Research Survey)61% of people who have a hard time finding anything in their closet end up buying new clothes. (OnePoll Survey)1 in 6 people have resorted to taking dirty clothes out of their laundry hamper when they are unable to find anything to wear. (OnePoll Survey)1 in 4 Americans describe their closets as being disorganized. (OnePoll Survey)It’s estimated that 80% of clothes are w

Hi Friends! We are kicking off a new series for the month of July based on my CLUTTER CLINIC™ speaker series.  Over the next 5 weeks we are going to talk about some of the most popular trouble areas to keep organized.Throughout our series we are going to cover everything from closets, to kitchens, to kids spaces, home offices and more!Today we’re starting with the big guns…GARAGES!  (FYI, several of the strategies we cover also translate for attics and basements, or storage units,  so even if you don’t have a garage, you’ll want to listen in.)This episode is packed with lots of info which I’ve detailed in the show notes.  So let’s get started!Garage Stats: 2021About 9% of Americans rent storage space, even though 65% of those homeowners have a garage.50% of homeowners rate the garage as the most disorganized place in the house.When purchasing a home, 80% of buyers factor in the garage when making their decision.Garage Pitfalls: Too Much StuffForgotten Area (aka dumping ground)Multi-Zone AreaHigh Traffic AreaL

Hi Friends! Imagine a world where you have all of your information in one central place, safely, and simply…I’m talking passwords, medical records, phone numbers, you name it! And best of all,  you can access it anywhere you are? Our guest today did more than just imagine it-she created it.  Joining me today is Jaclyn Strauss, founder of My Macro Memoir-a digital memory assistant for all of life’s information.Jaclyn is a CPA for a fortune 100 company, who is active in her community and involved in all the day to day happenings within her family-especially her 2 adorable kiddos.Tired of being the “go to” source for information in her family, and wasting time retrieving the same info over and over (think school forms, medical records, etc), Jaclyn knew there had to be a smarter way.“My Macro Memoir was born out of a need that I personally had as a mom of 2 children, a busy working professional who had stuff here, there and everywhere.” Through a series of Yes or No prompts, My Macro Memoir acts as a personal me

Hi Friends! Joining me today is Erin Leonard. Erin is the owner and creator of notice the LITTLE things where she provides practical ways for Moms to be more intentional about their time and space, so they can focus on the things that matter most to them. She is the mom to three young kiddos (who are super cute), a fellow coffee lover, an Enneagram 1 (which we will dig into), and as you’ll see from her adorable website, a lover of lower case letters (which I will definitely ask her about!)Erin shares how her LITTLE things blog started out of her own daily gratitude and has since grown into an entire business of digital & printable products .We also dig into strategies for people who are struggling to stick to a routine, and Erin shares some of her own tips and tricks.During the second half of our show, Erin talks about life growing up as an Enneagram 1 (aka The Perfectionist), and how her mom used to refer to her inner critic as her “imaginary audience.”  ( I so love that!)Erin opens up about  parenting a

Hi Friends! Years ago I intentionally started using the word “integration” in place of “balance” when describing the very delicate juggling act of motherhood, personal time, and my professional life.Over the years I’ve talked to countless women who are in a transitional period and not sure what to do: “I just had a baby and don’t want to go back to an office full-time” “ I’d love to run my own business, but don’t know where to start”“My kids are in school and I’m looking for something flexible and will challenge me”These are just a few of the comments I hear from people just like you.  My entire team at SBO (with the exception of Podcast Producer, Don) is made up of moms, and has been from the start. Today’s guest shares that same philosophy. Joining me today is Emily Hay, founder of Hay There Social Media-a boutique marketing agency where she helps women launch their own social media businesses so they too can live and work flexibly and intentionally with what she’s dubbed “Work+Life Integration Nation”.™”Du

Hi Friends! We are kicking off June with my new friend, Kim Williams.  Among her many accomplishments, Kim is an MBA graduate, full-time working mom, podcaster, and community builder. If she sounds like a rock star, it’s because she is.I was introduced to Kim a few months ago and was inspired by her story.After searching to find single black moms that were podcasting and not finding any that were current, she decided to fill the gap by creating a podcast and building a community that not only supports each other online but also offline.Kim is passionate about educating single moms so that they can live the life they desire without feeling alone on the journey of Single Motherhood, which can become so isolating.Because of the platform, moms all around the world (single and married) have been able to change the way they think, implement strategies to improve their life and the life of their children, and make connections with other moms.During our conversation we talked about:Why women are reluctant to ask for

Hi Friends! We are wrapping up our Behind the Scenes series, where each week over the past month we have looked at what goes into different parts of my company. If you haven’t had the chance to listen to the other 3 episodes, make sure to check them out.Today we are taking a deep dive into my flagship speaker program: The CLUTTER CLINIC. Joining me today is my good friend, and SBO partner, Courtney Wilson, founder of Simpli Sort in San Diego, California. Courtney is a mom of 3 almost grown kiddos like me, and has an incredible gift of helping her clients navigate through messy spaces step by step. If you are someone interested in the professional organizing industry, but not sure where to start, this is the episode for you.During our conversation Courtney shares how she went from wanting to give up on her business in 2018 to having a solid client base through a pandemic!“I honestly love helping people not only get organized but feel the relief as they take back control of their homes.”-SBO Partner, Courtney W

Hi Friends! I hope you’re enjoying our Behind the Scenes series of Simply B Organized.  Today I’m pulling back the curtain of what you’re listening to right here, This ORGANIZED Life Podcast! Joining me today as my co-host is my incredible podcast producer, Don Jackson of the Raven Media Group.When I decided to launch a podcast in January of 2017, I had no clue of what I was doing! I knew that there was a lot on the technical side with editing and production, so I immediately outsourced that part to an expert. What I didn’t know was all of the work required to make a successful show happen-and get listeners week after week.(It’s probably a good thing that I was clueless, because if I had known how much of my time would be spent working on this show, I more than likely would not have jumped in! ) During our conversation we talked about all of the moving parts including: Research, Scheduling Logistics, Content Creation and Marketing.We specifically dive into:How we find and book guestsHow we come up with topics

Hi Friends! Today we are continuing our “Behind the Scenes” series where each week we peel back the curtain and talk about what goes into the different aspects of Simply B Organized. Last week, we looked at the SBO Partner Program, (if you haven’t had a chance to listen, make sure you hop back and check it out!)Today we are looking at where SBO began, working onsite with clients! Joining me in the studio is my friend and colleague, Gail Waterman. This is Gail’s 3rd appearance on TOL (she was on ep 214 talking about money habits along with Rachel Cruze, and ep 165 Preparing for Aging Parents).In this episode, we share with you the work that we do for & with our clients.During our conversation we talk about:The work we do off-site during a projectThe importance of research and sourcing the best options for our clientsWhat makes our job more than labeling binsIf you are passionate about organizing and thinking about being a Professional Organizer we’d love to help you get started!Click HERE to fill out a bri

Hi friends! We are kicking off a new series this month called “Behind the Scenes” where each week we are going to peel back the curtain and talk about what goes into the different aspects of Simply B Organized.Today I am joined by one of my longtime friends and SBO team members Courtney Greisman. Courtney joined the SBO team back in 2013 and has held the title of social media manager to partner promoter (my personal favorite!)She helps me run our SBO community -which is our network of Professional Organizers from different cities around the world. Our partner program has 2 distinct purposes:It allows me to offer trusted, SBO endorsed referrals to you or your loved ones-regardless of where you live.It gives me the opportunity to support other professional organizers grow their businesses. From group and individual mentorship, to brand exposure, and a complete resource library dedicated to helping remove the guesswork on running a business.  Since its inception in 2017, the SBO Partner Program has taken a prima

Hi Friends! Today I am joined by one of our SBO Partners, Alysha Fenn, founder of Making Space Today–a Los Angeles based Professional Organizing service. Alysha has been part of the SBO community for a couple of years and it’s been wonderful watching her business grow!  She’s an Enneagram 9 (the peacemaker) and we talk about how procrastination, indecision and “slothiness” plays a role in her life.As an East coast transplant, Alysha shares her story of moving across the country, moving in with her sister, and what inspired her to start her own business.The conversation turns to what it’s like to live with someone who’s organizing styles are different from yours–something most of us can relate to at one time or another.Alysha walks us through her Organizing Framework which is made up of 5 different categories:ShoverStackerShopperIndifferentProYou can find out which one you are by taking her free quiz HERE.If you are in the Los Angeles area and looking for a professional organizer, make sure to reach out and co

Joining me today is Ashley Brown. Ashley is the creator and owner of Routine and Things, a product based company which equips women to consistently live their happiest life one routine at a time. Ashley and I met when we were both speakers at the Purpose Driven Mom Summit, and I instantly knew that I wanted her to share her story with my TOL community!Ashley strongly believes routines are a form of wellness and can be a beautiful springboard for improving your home, yourself, and your life. (Can I get an Amen?!) She hosts the Routine and Things Podcast, a space to learn and become inspired on all things routine. She’s on a mission to see as many women as possible live life with ease by starting, maintaining, and enjoying fun and freeing routines!During our conversation we talked about how routines grow and change throughout the stages of our lives. She also shared tips for her 5 categories of routines:CookingCleaningKidsSelf-CarePlanning We talked about why some people have trouble sticking to routines, and w

One of the many things I love about podcasting is meeting incredible people with inspiring stories.  Today’s guest is no exception; joining me is Amy Downs, author, advocate, TEDx speaker and CEO of the Allegiance Credit Union.Amy is one of the surviving victims from the Oklahoma City bombing, which took place on April 19,1995 and is marked the deadliest domestic attack in our nation’s history. Over the past 2 decades, Amy’s message has shifted from centering around the survival of the bombing to her radical life transformation, including her 200 lb weight loss and completing a Triathlon and an Ironman!During our conversation, Amy walks us through her experience the day of the attack, and what followed.We discussed what led her on a path to wellness, what prompted her to go back to school to get her MBA, and what it’s like being the CEO of the company that will forever be in history books. I asked Amy about her book, Hope is a Verb, (which I literally read in 2 days-it was so good!)  Amy’s story gives a new p

Joining me today is fellow Bucks County native, Danielle Gannon. Danielle is mom to three adorable kiddos Abigail (9), Gabriel (7), and Sebastian (4).  Like many of us, Danielle wears many hats–including, mom, local entrepreneur and business owner, but her most recent accomplishment is as co-creator of The Red Barn Homeschool.Last year when the pandemic shut things down, Danielle put her business on the backburner, and joined forces with a few of her friends to create a non-conventional learning experience for their children. Collectively, the three families have kids ranging from 4 years old to 5th grade. During our conversation she walks us through how they converted a barn on one of the properties  into a one-room schoolhouse where they have been teaching the kids for the past year.In addition to traditional learning, each day includes incorporating nature, music and community into the curriculum (by the end of the episode I want to go there!)Later in the show, Danielle and I switch gears and talk about wh