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Interview With . . . Victoria Miller Organized Solutions Atlanta, GA 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 Victoria Miller and my company is Organized Solutions. I'm located in Atlanta, Georgia. I have been in business for more than four 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. 4. Why did you become a professional organizer? After a successful twenty-year sales and marketing career in the Food Brokerage Industry, I have now answered--and am being true to-- my 'calling.' My great passion and love for anything involving food (as evidenced by my girth) was infused throughout my tenure in the business, but I felt ready to use my passion and skills in a manner that was different from the 'corporate' scene. I made a conscious decision to exit the food business, but was uncertain of the direction I wanted to take. Fate interceded on a December morning in 1998 as I was relaxing in my comfortable, well-appointed Charlotte NC home listening to National Public Radio (NPR) and pondering my options. Only a few minutes prior to turning on the radio, I had asked myself the question: 'So what are your God given, natural born talents, skills and abilities and how are you going to use them?' Terry Gross, who hosts an NPR segment called Fresh Air, was interviewing Julie Morgenstern, the founder and owner of Task Masters, a New York based professional organizing company. Julie had recently written a book entitled 'Organizing from the Inside Out' and was on air 'plugging' her book. For me, it was an undeniable epiphany, one of those AH-HA moments when mind, body, and spirit become aware of Divine intervention. Until that instant I had been unaware of 'Professional Organizers' or companies that were in business to help others manage and organize their affairs, and thereby enhance their lives. I listened intently as Morgenstern spoke of professional associations, literature, and resources dedicated to professional organizing. In those moments I consciously made a decision about my future and livelihood. It has taken a number of years--and a giant leap of faith--to breathe life into Organized Solutions, my baby. Organized Solutions is birthed in the spirit of my theory that each of us is born with certain gifts that are intended for us to nurture, first ourselves, and then others. I believe that loving one's work--along with helping others--is instrumental in completing the circle of life. Receiving financial compensation for such meaningful work supports the intention. My heart is filled with joy when I think of assisting others with bringing simplicity, order, harmony, and beauty-- and subsequent joy and gratitude-into their everyday living. For many, an unorganized life costs time, money and causes stress. For me, it is a form of service to be able to return my gifts to the world as I help others gain the clarity received as a result of having an organized life. Whether you are slightly overwhelmed or chronically disorganized, whether you want guidance or total project management, Organized Solutions exists to help make your world a happier place. I am Victoria Miller, and I bring you: Organized Solutions 5. What type of organizing do you specialize in (home, office, etc.)? I was born/blessed with the 'O' gene and frankly there has not been any organizational challenge I have not been able to commandeer. I personally enjoy working in the residential market segment and assisting individuals through the extremely stressful time of a move/relocation. 6. Do you sell products, services, or seminars? Please describe. I enjoy and do quite a bit of interior design/decorating in clients homes. 7. Have you written a book(s)? If so, what is the title(s)? No, not to date but there is one in the workings inside me waiting to pour out. 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. It is a goal for me 2005. I will offer it complimentary. 9. Do you have a web site? If so, what is the address? My Web site is www.organizedsolutions.biz 10. Is travel a big part of your business? Yes. I am single and have no children. This permits me to travel distances and have overnights stays that many of my colleagues are unable or unwilling to commit to. 11. Who is your primary target audience? Hmmmm, that is a tough one. I work with many youngsters (good place to begin) in clients home and I have worked with the elderly as well. I would have to answer in general the 35-50ish urban professional and stay at home Mom's who are overwhelmed. 12. Describe your typical workday. Up 5:30AM - Morning journaling, reading, getting 'centered' for the day. Office/desk by 7:30-8:00AM. Spend a few minutes detailing a 'roadmap' for my day. I spend approximately 1 hour returning phone calls and email and head out into the universe to make a difference in someone's life. I like to take one day a week to invoice, prepare proposals, market, network, etc. Usually Friday's. 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? The answer is most definitely YES! In 2005 there is an awareness like there has never been before of our industry. Certainly that makes marketing and selling our wares easier. I would HIGHLY recommend having enough money in reserve to live on for a year. Or hopefully your spouse or significant other can support the household while you are in the beginning growth stage. 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)? Unfortunately, for me personally, my budget has not afforded me the opportunity to market in the manner in which I would like. I attend many network groups, BNI, etc. My business has grown and has become successful through word of mouth. (Which is quite the ultimate compliment.) I hand out tons of business cards and brochures. I also 'partner' with some smaller, local neighborhood publications to submit 'O Tips' for their readers and barter in exchange for free Ads. 15. Which one marketing technique have you found works the best for you? Please describe. My Gift Certificate Program has been quite successful. I discount to the purchaser and have always had the recipient purchase additional hours. NAPO has been very good to me also. I generated quite a bit of business through the referral program last year. 16. Describe a successful, creative marketing technique that you use, or that you've used in the past. I reward my clients who send me referrals. If I have a client who generates a referral where I pick up some new business, I discount time to them or give them some free organizing hours. 17. Do you feel that networking plays a big role in growing your business? Absolutely! 18. What do you do to generate referrals? Do an awesome, incredible job for my clients. They are my best advertising. And networking! Offer Gift Certificates Pro Bono for Philanthropic FundRaising Events. 19. What do you find to be the most exciting part of your business? I love and am blessed by making a difference in others life. It is why I do what I do. It is what I was born for! To walk into a situation that is causing individuals to have a poor quality of life and to do something to turn it around is a fantastic reward. 20. What do you find to be the most frustrating part of your business? Getting individuals who need help to take the first step and to convince them to let go and let me take the lead. People are very particular about their personal effects (Not excluding me) and getting past that 'barrier' if you will can be 'challenging' at times. 21. Describe your greatest success in this field. Wow, another tough one! Hmmmmmmmm, probably overhauling a small home 3 bedroom/2 bath which was literally piled floor to cieling/wall-to-wall with various 'stuff' in 2 days. 22. As a professional organizer, do you have a funny story to share? In general, it is always amusing to me to accidentally run across certain personal 'items and effects' in clients homes. I have seen it all. From A-Z. 23. As an organizer, what professional organizing information or tools are you always on the lookout for? Gosh, I am always looking, searching, exploring, reading. I subscribe to numerous magazines and trade publications, which offer organizing tools/tips, etc. I receive e-zines from Professional Organizers and other companies such as Container Store and Lizzell which offer products for our industry. 24. Looking ahead, what do you see as your greatest challenge? As the Professional Organizing industry grows as a whole and as my business continues to grow. The question of whether to remain small and independent versus branching into something larger looms and will be 'challenging' for me to make. 25. What is your best tip for people interested in becoming professional organizers? Do your homework. Study the NAPO site and your local affiliate if one exists in your state. Check out other Professional Organizers websites. Call them, talk to them, attend a conference. Get all the information you think you may need to 'start up' a first time business. Have patience. Be tenacious! Love what you do! 
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