Are you interested in learning how to start an organizing business? Are you looking to turn your passion into a profitable business venture?
Starting a professional organizing business can be a lucrative and rewarding career path for those with a passion for tidying up.
But where do you even begin?
With so many moving parts to starting a business, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. But fear not. We’ve compiled a comprehensive 45-point checklist to help guide you through starting your own organizing business.
So grab a pen and paper, and let’s dive and start a professional organizing business!
Research the Professional Organizing Industry
| Research the Professional Organizing Industry | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Task | Completed? | Recommended Resources |
| 1. | Read relevant professional organizing books and blogs. | [ ] | Born to Organize, How to Start a Home-Based Professional Organizing Business |
| 2. | Watch and study relevant organizing Youtube videos. | [ ] | Youtube |
| 3. | Listen to relevant organizing podcasts. | [ ] | |
| 4. | Research your local market online (review other professional organizing companies in your local market on Google, Yelp, and Facebook). | [ ] | Google, Yelp, Facebook |
| 5. | Acquire a professional organizer certification (not required). | [ ] | National Association for Professional Organizers NAPO, ICD |
Researching the professional organizing industry as a whole and your local market is step one. Pursuing further education through professional organizing books, blogs, YouTube videos, podcasts, courses, and coaching can help you develop the knowledge necessary to excel in the industry.
These resources can provide you with valuable insights into organizing professionals’ methodologies and ways to grow your business from those who have already done it.
Additionally, being aware of the competition in your local market is crucial. Understanding who and what you are competing with is important. Consider reviewing local competitors’ social media, websites, and other marketing material to gauge your local market.
Once you’ve researched the industry and your local market, it’s time to name and set up your business.
Name & Set Up Your Professional Organizer Business
| Naming & Setting Up Your Business | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Task | Completed? | Recommended Resources |
| 6. | Create a unique company business name. | [ ] | Namelix |
| 7. | Check online if your domain is available. | [ ] | Google Domains, Godaddy |
| 8. | Verify your company’s name with your state’s Secretary of State. | [ ] | |
| 9. | Choose a business structure such as a sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company (LLC), or corporation. | [ ] | Incfile, LegalZoom |
| 10. | Obtain an EIN number. | [ ] | Incfile |
When starting an organizing business, one of the first things you’ll need to do is choose a name for your company. The name you choose should be easy to remember, descriptive of what you do, and not already in use by another business.
You should also consider how the name will look in your logo, on your website, and on social media platforms.
While the process of naming your organizing business and setting it up legally may seem overwhelming, it’s important to remember that these are crucial steps that will set you up for success in the long run. It’s not uncommon for organizers to get stuck at this stage, but don’t let that discourage you!
Once you have these important pieces in place, you’ll be able to focus on what you do best: helping your clients organize their spaces and simplify their lives. So, take a deep breath, do your research, and move forward with confidence!
Set Up Accounts and Systems for Business Administration
| Logistics | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Task | Completed? | Recommended Resources |
| 11. | Create a company phone number and voicemail message. | [ ] | Grasshopper, Google Voice, CallRail |
| 12. | Create an email signature. | [ ] | Wisestamp |
| 13. | Set up a dedicated desk and computer space. | [ ] | |
| 14. | Set up a Google Drive account with Gmail for online documents, spreadsheets, calendars, etc. | [ ] | Google Drive |
| 15. | Set up a calendar and scheduling system. | [ ] | Google Calendar |
| 16. | Use a secure password storage system. | [ ] | LastPass |
Set Up Banking & Payments
| Banking & Payments | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Task | Completed? | Recommended Resources |
| 17. | Once you’ve obtained your EIN number, open a business bank account under your company’s name. | [ ] | Chase Business Checkings |
| 18. | Get a business credit card. | [ ] | Amex Business Green Rewards Card, Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card |
| 19. | Set up a payment processing system. | [ ] | Square, Stripe |
| 20. | Set up an accounting tool. | QuickBooks |
Another crucial step in starting your business is setting up a system to take payments. Without this step, you can’t make any money!
First, set up your business bank account online or in person at your local bank. Once you’ve set up your bank account, consider getting a credit card for business purchases and setting up your payment processing system.
We personally use Square for payments and highly recommend it. Square allows you to create contracts and invoices, store customer information, take payments, and more.
Additionally, it’s recommended to set up your business accounting with a highly recommended tool such as QuickBooks.
Develop Your Brand & Begin Marketing
| Branding & Marketing | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Task | Completed? | Recommended Resources |
| 21. | Create company colors. | [ ] | Coolors |
| 22. | Create company typography. | [ ] | |
| 23. | Create company logo. | [ ] | Canva, Fiverr, Upwork |
| 24. | Create business social media channels. | [ ] | Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Twitter, etc. |
| 25. | Create and fill out a Google Business Profile. | [ ] | Google Business Profile |
| 26. | Create a website. | [ ] | WordPress, Squarespace |
| 27. | Set up website hosting. | [ ] | Siteground, WP Engine |
| 28. | Set up a business email. | [ ] | Gsuite |
| 29. | Create business cards and other print marketing material (flyers, door hangers, envelopes, etc.). | [ ] | Vistaprint |
| 30. | Snap a professional headshot or two.(Other photos of you on the job are great too!) | [ ] | |
| 31. | Add your business to relevant online directories. | [ ] | Yelp, FindMyOrganizer, Thumbtack, TaskRabbit, etc. |
| 32. | Join local networking opportunities (BNI, Chamber of Commerce, BBB). | [ ] | Chamber of Commerce, BBB |
| 33. | Spread the word about your new business. Share the news on your personal social profiles! | [ ] |
Marketing and branding are critical components for any professional organizing businesses.
Your marketing efforts are what will set you apart from other professional organizers and attract clients to your business. By investing the time and resources into creating a strong brand and marketing strategy, you’ll be able to build credibility, increase visibility, and ultimately grow your business.
Fortunately, there are a variety of online and offline marketing channels that can help you do just that. Online channels include social media accounts, email marketing, search engine optimization (SEO), pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, and more. Each channel offers unique advantages, and we personally use all of them to drive new leads to our organizing business.
Offline marketing channels can also be effective, particularly for reaching local clients. These can include networking events, community outreach programs, tradeshows, and print advertising in local publications. By combining online and offline marketing efforts, you can create a well-rounded marketing strategy that reaches potential clients through multiple channels.
One important factor to remember when it comes to marketing is the return on investment (ROI). This refers to the amount of revenue generated from a given marketing initiative compared to the amount of money invested.
By tracking your ROI for each marketing channel, you can make informed decisions about where to invest more of your marketing budget and which channels drive the most new leads and business.
Develop Your Organizing Services & Pricing
| Develop Services & Pricing | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Task | Completed? | Recommended Resources |
| 34. | Create a detailed list of the services you plan to offer. | [ ] | |
| 35. | Determine which pricing method to use (hourly rate, package pricing, value-based pricing, flat rate). | [ ] | |
| 36. | Research your competition to see what services they offer and their pricing structures. | [ ] | |
| 37. | Consider your business expenses, such as supplies, equipment, marketing, and taxes, when setting your pricing. | [ ] | |
| 38. | Consider creating packages or bundles of services that can be offered at a discounted rate. | [ ] | |
| 39. | Clearly communicate your services and pricing to potential clients through your website, social media, and marketing materials. | [ ] | |
| 40. | Clearly define your service terms, such as cancellation policies, rescheduling policies, and payment terms. | [ ] | |
| 41. | Create a service agreement that outlines the terms and conditions of your services. | [ ] |
When developing your pricing, it’s important to consider your costs and set your prices appropriately. (Think marketing costs, gas, business insurance, paying team members, etc)
It’s okay to start your prices lower and raise them as you gain more experience. I actually encourage it!
When developing your services, consider what services you enjoy. Get crystal clear on the services you offer and let it be known on all of your marketing material.
Create descriptions for each service of what each entails (such as the total amount of hours and whether it includes donation hauls, etc.).
If you’re really unsure of what to offer, take a look at other successful professional organizers, and see how they’ve mapped out their services and pricing.
Finally, it’s important to regularly review and evaluate your pricing and services to ensure that they are still meeting the needs of your business and your clients.
This involves monitoring your costs, analyzing your pricing strategy, and soliciting feedback from clients on the quality of your services. By regularly reviewing your pricing and services, you can make adjustments as needed.
Create Systems to Streamline Your Business
| Creating Business Systems | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Task | Completed? | Recommended Resources |
| 42. | Create a new client intake form/questionnaire for new leads | [ ] | |
| 43. | Develop a set of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for your business. SOPs are step-by-step instructions that outline how to complete routine tasks, such as booking clients, scheduling appointments, taking payments, and invoicing. | [ ] | |
| 44. | Implement a brief post-project phone call or feedback form for your client to fill out. | [ ] | |
| 45. | Create a brief email/text to send to previous clients for new online reviews. | [ ] |
Once you’ve set up your business, it’s important to document the repetitive steps you take to improve efficiency in your own business.
Congratulations, you’re one step closer to starting your own organizing business!
Remember, starting a business takes time, effort, and patience. It’s okay to take things one step at a time and not rush the process. Don’t be too hard on yourself for not starting earlier. You’re doing it now, and that’s what counts.
The comprehensive 45-point checklist we’ve compiled lists the exact steps we took to build our successful business. From researching the industry to setting up your branding and marketing, we’ve covered it all. Just remember, building a business takes time and effort, but with passion and dedication, you’ll be well on your way to a rewarding and lucrative business and career!
Before You Start Your Own Professional Organizing Business
Starting a professional organizing business isn’t necessarily that hard. The hardest part, in my experience, is managing it!
Sure, a professional organizing business plan sounds nice, but you won’t learn until you get your hands dirty.
Starting a home organizing business can be a fun and rewarding experience. So go for it!
One of the keys to success is finding clients to help grow your business. It might seem overwhelming at first, but fear not!
Check out our latest post on how to get more clients!
How to Find Clients For Your Professional Organizing Business
Download the PDF Version
Download a PDF version of the 45-point checklist to start your professional organizing business!
