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Interview With . . . Jessica Duquette In Perfect Order 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 Jessica Duquette and my company name is In Perfect Order. I am currently located in Woodland Hills, a suburb of Los Angeles, and I have been in business here for about 6 months. Previously, I was in business under the name PatternKeeper Home/Office Organizing Services on Whidbey Island, near Seattle for about 3-4 years. 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.) Yes, I am a member of the National Chapter, and about to become chairperson of the Member Directory committee under Judy Stern, and I am the incoming treasurer of the NAPO-LA chapter. 4. Why did you become a professional organizer? As for most of us, it was a natural process for me. I have been rearranging the cabinets and closets of friends and family for most of my life, and when I became a single mom, and needed work I could do part time and in my own way, it was the logical choice. When I first began, I had never met or spoken to another organizer, I just took the plunge. What a difference it has made to join NAPO, meet and learn from others, and become of service to our new profession! Now that I am married, I can really focus on building my business so that it provides a second source of income for our family. 5. What type of organizing do you specialize in (home, office, etc.)? I am willing to do many kinds of organizing, I prefer working with people in their home offices, helping them establish and maintain systems that enhance their creativity and productivity. I also would like to work with real estate agents doing decluttering and staging for their clients, as well as estate organizing for families who have recently lost a parent, or other family member. I enjoy helping people prepare for trade shows, and I also do residential organizing. 6. Do you sell products, services, or seminars? Please describe. Not yet, although I plan to sell products on my Web site by the end of this year. 7. Have you written a book(s)? If so, what is the title(s)? No. 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, I designed my first Web site from scratch, and I am now talking with a web designer, preparing for a 'face lift' (full update) of my site, to reflect the increase in my business. www.inperfectorder.com 10. Is travel a big part of your business? I have traveled all over the country for my clients. I love to travel anywhere, but I am especially looking to work overseas, particularly with clients in SE Asia, i.e. Singapore, Bangkok, Deli, etc. 11. Who is your primary target audience? People who are ready to make a change in their lives, who are willing to make a commitment to the discipline it takes to maintain the systems we put in place. I love to work with entrepreneurs, people going to trade shows, people who have recently lost a loved one and have an estate to organize, people from overseas who need a virtual office in the US and people who are traveling for business or pleasure. 12. Describe your typical workday. I wouldn't say there is a 'typical' workday, and that is one of the things I appreciate most about my job, I would get bored too easily. I am more of the type of person who works best multi-tasking, with several projects going on at once. In fact, realizing this about myself (that I work best going from one project to the next, rather than tracking one system over the long term) was what helped me launch my business in a more focused and intentional way. I devote at least 2 days a week to improving my systems and marketing. 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? It definitely helps that now, at the beginning of really growing my business, we are not solely dependant on my income. From what I have heard from other organizers who have been in the business for years, it takes time, persistence, patience, and commitment, but eventually, I am certain that I will make enough money doing this. For sure. There are many long, long, long unpaid hours at the beginning that are totally essential, sowing the seeds in order to reap a bountiful harvest later on. I was particularly inspired at this year's NAPO conference by the main speakers, several of the most well-known professional organizers in the country, who all had essentially the same message: keep at it, believe in yourself and you WILL do it! It just takes T-I-M-E. 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 haven't been marketing myself in this area long enough to speak authoritatively on the subject, but I got a very SIMPLE and BOLD magnetic sign for my car (I had to redo my first one because it had too many words on it, and was too fancy), and people have been calling me, and stopping me in parking lots for my card. (One good thing about the LA traffic!) 15. Which one marketing technique have you found works the best for you? Please describe. See above. 16. Describe a successful, creative marketing technique that you use, or that you've used in the past. I have my car magnets, I'm getting vanity plates that talk about organizing, and also I have a license plate cover that has my phone number on it. In California, people spend a lot of time in the car, so I feel as though that is my best and least expensive billboard. 17. Do you feel that networking plays a big role in growing your business? I feel networking and word of mouth is THE most essential marketing tools (and the least expensive!) 18. What do you do to generate referrals? I go to several networking meetings per month, and I offer a cash referral bonus to other professionals who refer me (I offer time to my clients who refer me). 19. What do you find to be the most exciting part of your business? I love seeing and sensing the feeling of relief that my clients experience after we have finished a job that has kept them unsettled for months or years. They have a renewed sense of purpose and they are so excited and grateful, and I love feeling a part of that. Also, I am a very visual person, and seeing a desk or file cabinet or closet go from chaos to order feels very rewarding to me in my soul. 20. What do you find to be the most frustrating part of your business? Clients (or potential clients) who are disrespectful of my time, and do not return calls, or cancel at the last minute. 21. Describe your greatest success in this field. Every time I help someone, it is a success. Really! One starfish at a time. 22. As a professional organizer, do you have a funny story to share? I had one client whose office was so disorganized, they hadn't vacuumed the carpet in over 10 years! 23. As an organizer, what professional organizing information or tools are you always on the lookout for? I am always looking for better filing solutions and desktop/office systems and containers that will work for the particular needs of my clients. Also, helpful Web sites that are informative and simple for people to understand. 24. Looking ahead, what do you see as your greatest challenge? I look forward to the day when I can be steady enough in my work that I can be giving away several hours a month as a volunteer for people in need who cannot afford to pay someone to help them. 25. What is your best tip for people interested in becoming professional organizers? 1. Don't quit your day job! (at least not right away) 2. JOIN NAPO, and attend your local chapter meetings regularly, if possible. (This was the best thing I have done for my business.) 
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