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Interview With . . . Jackie Dunaway Mind Over Clutter Murfreesboro/Nashville, TN by Maria Gracia 1. What is the name of your company? Where are you located? How long have you been in business? My name is Jackie Dunaway. My company name is Mind Over Clutter. I'm located in Murfreesboro/Nashville TN and have been in business a little over one year. 2. Is this your primary business, or a part-time business? This is my primary business. 3. Are you a member of NAPO? (Please indicate if you're an officer.) No, but I will be soon. 4. Why did you become a professional organizer? My friends say I have a natural talent for it and that I inspire and motivate them. 5. What type of organizing do you specialize in (home, office, etc.)? Mainly residential organizing, such as kids' rooms, mudrooms, entries, kitchens and hobby rooms. I also help out with yard sales. 6. Do you sell products, services, or seminars? Please describe. I sell services. I like to find creative and fun ways to use/recycle what a client may already have in their homes for storage. I check out their lifestyle, finding and customizing a routine that best suits their personalities. 7. Have you written a book(s)? If so, what is the title(s)? No, I haven't. 8. Do you publish a newsletter? If so, is it a print newsletter, or an e-zine? Is it free, or is there a charge? Not yet. 9. Do you have a web site? If so, what is the address? Yes, it's www.Mind-over-clutter.com 10. Is travel a big part of your business? I travel throughout the greater Nashville area. 11. Who is your primary target audience? My primary target audience is families. 12. Describe your typical workday. My schedule looks something like this: 7:30a-8:00a - check e-mail 8:00a-9:00a - run errands, pick up any needed supplies 9:30a-2:30p - on the job site 2:45p-3:00p - pick up kids from school 3:00p-8:30p - family time 8:45p-9:30p - check calendar for next day, make to-do lists 13. Every person interested in entering the professional organizing field is wondering, "Can I make enough money doing this?" What is your outlook on this question? If you're doing something you love, you'll succeed. Work hard, be consistent and energetic. Success doesn't happen on its own or overnight. Set long term as well as short term goals. 14. Which of the following marketing vehicles have you used to help you grow your business (direct mail, newspaper advertising, free workshops, radio, television, web site, e-zine, telemarketing, yellow pages, joint ventures with other professionals, publicity, other: please describe)? I've used newspaper ads, web site, flyers and word of mouth. 15. Which one marketing technique have you found works the best for you? Please describe. Word of mouth. Ask your clients at the end of a job for a referral. 16. Describe a successful, creative marketing technique that you use, or that you've used in the past. Advertising in a special publication/program for a women's show held at the Nashville Convention Center. I also keep a portfolio of before and after photos. 17. Do you feel that networking plays a big role in growing your business? Yes. You never know who may need your services if you don't mention what you do. 18. What do you do to generate referrals? I make sure my client is satisfied before I take the after photo. 19. What do you find to be the most exciting part of your business? Seeing the big smile on a client's face when they see the before and after photos. I also like to find creative uses for things a client already has for storage or displaying collections. I like to think practical but outside the box and fun. 20. What do you find to be the most frustrating part of your business? When people can't part with their clutter. 21. Describe your greatest success in this field. Hearing a client say they can stay organized after I'm done with my job. 22. As a professional organizer, do you have a funny story to share? Helping someone move and taking their cat to a new house. I learned all cats don't like change and I looked pretty silly holding and trying to calm the cat down in the car! 23. As an organizer, what professional organizing information or tools are you always on the lookout for? Library books on decorating and going to flea markets and yard sales to find antiques or fun things for storage. 24. Looking ahead, what do you see as your greatest challenge? Staying consistent but fresh with my marketing plan and looking at it long term. 25. What is your best tip for people interested in becoming professional organizers? Have fun with it and network, network, network! 
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