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Interview With . . . Judy Marcelliano Perfectly Organized Clinton Township, NJ 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 Judy Marcelliano and I own Perfectly Organized. We're located in Clinton Township, Hunterdon County, New Jersey and have been in business for 1 year. 2. Is this your primary business, or a part-time business? Both. Right now it is a part time primary business and in one-two years, as it grows, and when my children are in school full-time, I plan to achieve a full-time status. 3. Are you a member of NAPO? (Please indicate if you're an officer.) Yes, I joined one year ago. 4. Why did you become a professional organizer? I became an organizer simply because I love to organize. It gives me great pleasure in seeing things orderly and in their place. I have an eye for it and after being home with my kids for a few years, doing another part-time home-based business, I felt that it would be a great opportunity for me to be able to continue with a flexible schedule. 5. What type of organizing do you specialize in (home, office, etc.)? I specialize in all aspects of residential organizing and in small business organizing, including updating or creating new filing systems. I will also assist with residential relocations, packing or unpacking. 6. Do you sell products, services, or seminars? Please describe. I sell organizing services. I have not yet begun to hold any workshops or give any talks but I intend to start shortly. 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? No. 9. Do you have a web site? If so, what is the address? Yes! The address is www.perfectly-organized.com 10. Is travel a big part of your business? No, I generally stay within a 30 mile radius although I will travel if necessary and have gone to New York State. 11. Who is your primary target audience? Anyone who is too busy to focus on organization and would like to have expert hands-on service as well as advice on how to stay organized. 12. Describe your typical workday. The one thing that I like about this business is that there is not really a typical workday. One day a week I spend in the office doing marketing, making phone calls, doing research and paperwork. Another day, I might do one or more consultations which are 1-2 hours long. Another day, I would spend a 4-5 hour session working directly with a client clearing out and redoing storage areas, offices, etc. 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? I feel that you can make enough to support yourself but you need to have an additional means of support while your business is getting started. A business could take up to 5 years to fully achieve a successful status. It takes a lot of attention to every aspect of the business. I would suggest that one does a tremendous amount of research before beginning. Information is needed on pricing, marketing strategies, accounting information, sales tax, etc., etc. Above all, have several mentors! 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)? Newspaper advertising, web site, yellow pages, joint ventures with other professionals, newspaper articles, and I'm working on a workshop and putting together a direct mailing. 15. Which one marketing technique have you found works the best for you? Please describe. Actually, the one that works the best is one that I didn't mention above - word of mouth. Your quality work and request for referrals will be your best marketing technique but of course it takes time to establish yourself. 16. Describe a successful, creative marketing technique that you use, or that you've used in the past. When I first do a consultation I would ask the client if they feel that I have done a good job for them when I'm done, I'd appreciate it if they'd think about a few people whom might be interested in my services. 17. Do you feel that networking plays a big role in growing your business? Absolutely. I have joined a few organizations to network and am planning on visiting with more. The more contacts you make, the better off you are, but be selective about the organizations that you chose to join. You cannot join them all. 18. What do you do to generate referrals? I give my clients the most for their money and I ask for referrals from my satisfied clients. 19. What do you find to be the most exciting part of your business? Seeing people satisfied and less stressed about their surroundings and seeing the actual results of our efforts. 20. What do you find to be the most frustrating part of your business? It is only frustrating when I know that I can help someone and I'm ready to go but they decide that they aren't ready yet. 21. Describe your greatest success in this field. I spent several months at the very large home of a doctor. Every room was cluttered with supplies, files, purchases, etc., including the bedrooms and entrance hall. Some of the closets couldn't even be opened because they weren't accessible. I cleared, purged and organized the entire home, enabling him to list it and sell it for the price that he wanted. 22. As a professional organizer, do you have a funny story to share? I helped a friend clear out his aging parents home. Every room was filled with years of garage sale purchases. Our only hope of success was to rent a dumpster. My friend was in charge and told me what could be disposed of. When Dad started to balk, his mom told his father to stay out of the way and let us clear out all of the junk. She told us to get rid of everything. Later, when we were taking a break, we caught her outside picking 'junk' out of the dumpster with her walking stick! Luckily we were able to work faster than she did, so we were able to clear out more than she was able to bring back in! 23. As an organizer, what professional organizing information or tools are you always on the lookout for? Any new organizing ideas for paper-flow management are especially helpful, but all education is important to me. You can never know too much. 24. Looking ahead, what do you see as your greatest challenge? I think that it's challenging to balance your own business with your personal family life and I strive to be successful in both areas. 25. What is your best tip for people interested in becoming professional organizers? Surround yourself with information, positive people who will encourage you, and many mentors. Stay focused, celebrate your successes, and don't dwell on your pitfalls, rather learn from them. 
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