Professional Organizer, Emma from Vancouver, Takes us from Chaos to Clear.

Q: Where do you live?
Vancouver, BC, Canada

Q: What inspired you to start Clarity Jane?
I am passionate about organizing and empowering people to get organized and stay organized.

Q: Can you tell us a little bit about your company and the types of services you offer?
Clarity Jane Professional Organizing Agency Ltd. is dedicated to supporting and empowering clients on the journey from disorganization and clutter to clarity and order. Clarity Jane’s work is based on a threefold approach: the elimination of clutter, the development of organizing systems and processes that meet the client’s needs, and education in organization skills for continued success. We are an agency representing professional organizers with various specialties, and so we are able to offer a broad variety of services, including both residential and workplace organizing services, time management coaching, event planning, estate organizing services, and assistance with packing, moving and downsizing.

Q: Do you have many clients who are single and if so what are some of the most common issues/concerns?
Yes, I have several clients who are currently single. Most of their organizing issues are associated with living in a small space and how to make the best use of that space.  A lot of my single clients are very focused on their careers and social lives, and don’t have a lot of time to put into organizing and optimizing their homes, and I work with them on putting easy systems in place so that their homes can be organized and functional without a lot of daily effort. I also have single clients with concerns about their home office spaces, since work life and home life can sometimes blend together for single people without the demands and routines of a spouse and family.

Q: How has starting your own business changed your life?
Starting my own business has completely changed my life. I feel free to be more of what my personality type truly is. I have used all of my abilities and tested my patience and work ethic. I feel that I am finally doing what I truly love and enjoy. All of the amazing rewards are worth the risks I have taken to change my life and career path in this way.

Q: Any local groups or resources in your area that help aspiring entrepreneurs?
Yes, I get excellent support and coaching from the Canadian Youth Business Foundation, and my membership in Business Networking International (Marinaside Chapter) has been very helpful as well. I am also a member of the Association of Women Business Owners of the Lower Mainland BC, as well as Young Executives for Success (Dress for Success). In terms of organizations related to my industry, I am a member of the Professional Organizers in Canada (Vancouver Chapter), the National Association of Professional Organizers, and the National Study Group of Chronic Disorganization.  All of these memberships and connections have been valuable to me in networking and growing as an entrepreneur.

Q: What are the 3 biggest mistakes people make when it comes to time management and how can they go about making improvements?
The major mistake that most people make is over-committing, or taking on more tasks than they can reasonably handle.  This comes from two places; first from underestimating how much time it will take to complete a task (or meet with someone, make a phone call, or travel to an appointment), but also from a difficulty or inability to say no.  If you can learn to correctly estimate the time it will take to go places and get things done, and also become confident in saying no when you’re asked to take on more than you can handle, you will be most of the way toward managing your time in a satisfactory way.  Another big issue in time management is procrastination, and you can get a grip on it by recognizing and working on your personal procrastination triggers.  Finally, many people become overwhelmed and panic when faced with too many demands and too little time, and then nothing at all gets done; the answer is to learn prioritizing and negotiating skills, so that you can calmly put the really important things first and work with people to eliminate or arrange new deadlines for the less-important things.  These aren’t easy tricks that you’ll pick up overnight, but long-term skills and habits to work toward for a happier, more organized life.

Q: For many individuals launching a business is a concern, especially when it comes to finances. What measures did you take to ensure success?
The most important measure of all is, if you don’t have a professional financial background yourself, be sure to work with a qualified accountant and bookkeeper. They should be the first people you hire when starting out, so make sure to include the cost of those professional services in your budget and business plan. Having an understanding of how basic accounting works can be a key to your success, but tracking and managing your cash flow is the most critical function in any profitable business.  Badly managed books can sink even a very good business concept.

Q: Any other advice or tips you would like to share with our readers…
Lots—check out my blog at www.clarityjane.com/blog! But for now, just remember that being organized doesn’t mean you have to be a super neat freak. It just means you have places for all your things and you manage your time and the space around you well. Being organized can help you have a clear mind and achieve your goals faster, but it doesn’t come easily to everyone, and even the most naturally organized individuals can sometimes benefit from a fresh pair of professional eyes.