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Interview With . . . Stacy Walker Gettin' Around To It Professional Organizing Edmonton, Alberta, Canada 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 Stacy Walker and my company is Gettin' Around To It Professional Organizing. I'm located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. I've been in business for eight months. 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 am a Professional Organizers of Canada (member). 4. Why did you become a professional organizer? There were a number of factors that contributed to my decision to pursue this career avenue. 1) Making a difference for a client, seeing the way it makes the client feel, is the ultimate reward for me. 2) I was very ready for a career change. 3) I became aware of the fact that it is a viable career choice. 4) It is a perfect fit for my skill set. 5. What type of organizing do you specialize in (home, office, etc.)? Space management in residential and SOHO. 6. Do you sell products, services, or seminars? Please describe. I do not carry any product. I am just starting to develop workshops and write articles for print and e-zines. 7. Have you written a book(s)? If so, what is the title(s)? No, but one of my organizing tips has been accepted for your new book. 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, at present I am just interested in writing for other publications with the hope of getting a little exposure in return. 9. Do you have a web site? If so, what is the address? My Web site is http://www.gettinaroundtoit.ca 10. Is travel a big part of your business? Not yet but I expect that there will be. I am prepared to explore the markets in the smaller towns and rural areas to the East/West/North of Edmonton. 11. Who is your primary target audience? I am still experimenting with means of communicating my message. Busy families, stay at home and work at home moms and small office environments are my main targets. 12. Describe your typical workday. I am still experimenting with routine, as my workdays are not YET filled with projects and consultations. I make sure that I remain focused and disciplined about my business during the workday and am flexible enough to keep the client's schedule the priority. Also, I have no restrictions on when I can work; days, evenings, weekends - I just make sure that I balance work with some 'me' time, too. 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 will admit that it is taking longer than anticipated to get this business off the ground. I am, however, convinced that if you can stick it out and you are good at what you do, this is a very rewarding career both in personal satisfaction and financial gain. 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)? Because of extreme budget constraints I am having to be very creative with my promotion. 1) Web site: designed by Bennaco (a fellow woman entrepreneur) who did a great job for me and stands by her work. 2) Networking: I am at every networking event that I can get to. 3) Strategic alliances with other companies that offer products or services that compliment mine (web site links, etc.). 4) Starting to write articles. 5) Interested in doing workshops and getting this under way. 6) A very small amount of direct mail (very targeted). 7) Trade show and business mixer participation 15. Which one marketing technique have you found works the best for you? Please describe. Not enough data to determine, as yet. 16. Describe a successful, creative marketing technique that you use, or that you've used in the past. I am still trying everything to see what will ultimately be the most successful. I am expecting that referral and strategic alliance will be the most productive. 17. Do you feel that networking plays a big role in growing your business? Absolutely! 18. What do you do to generate referrals? Do a great job! Offer some value-added services. Keep in touch. 19. What do you find to be the most exciting part of your business? Comparing a completed project with the 'before' and hearing the client describe their feelings. 20. What do you find to be the most frustrating part of your business? The time it is taking to get the business off the ground. 21. Describe your greatest success in this field. I would have to say that my greatest success so far is simply that EVERY client that I have worked with has been tremendously happy with the result. It has reinforced my confidence in my career choice and gives me great personal satisfaction! 22. As a professional organizer, do you have a funny story to share? Not yet. 23. As an organizer, what professional organizing information or tools are you always on the lookout for? I spend time each week surfing the net for new info or other P.O. sites to keep my ideas fresh. Also continue to build a comprehensive library of books, mags, and catalogues. Maintain a binder of locally available products, clippings, ideas, etc. 24. Looking ahead, what do you see as your greatest challenge? Building my initial client base. I have so far found it difficult to find and access my specific target market. 25. What is your best tip for people interested in becoming professional organizers? Research! Make sure you can take the time to grow your business. Specialize! Do one or two things well. 
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