Professional Organizers Can Make Up to $250 an Hour. Here’s What the Job Really Looks Like (Exclusive)

**From Corporate Life to Professional Organizing: The Journey of Kayleen Kelly**

In an era where tidiness has become synonymous with mental clarity, Kayleen Kelly is carving out a unique niche as a full-time professional organiser. Transitioning from a 9-to-5 corporate role, she founded her organising business back in 2014. With an impressive growth trajectory, Kelly now lends her expertise in the Olympia, Tacoma, and Seattle areas, providing clients with more than just neat spaces; she offers empathy and understanding during challenging life phases.

Initially, Kelly juggled her corporate job at a court reporting firm while exploring the potential of a career rooted in her passion for organisation. After conducting extensive research, she discovered a gap in the professional organising market within her region. Spotting an opportunity, she started her venture part-time, engaging with clients in the evenings and on weekends. Within ten months, her business flourished to the point where she felt empowered to commit entirely to her passion.

“Professional organising in the US can cost between £40 and £200 per hour, depending on factors like experience and location,” she explains. While the potential for profit is evident, Kelly’s work transcends the realm of mere aesthetics. What began as a dream of creating visually appealing spaces quickly evolved as she encountered clients grappling with far deeper issues.

Her first clients included a retired teacher facing serious health challenges and a veteran coping with PTSD. These experiences reshaped Kelly’s understanding of her role, bringing to light the profound connection between her clients’ clutter and their emotional well-being. “I realised that my mission was less about organising containers and more about fostering human connection,” she reflects, acknowledging the emotional burdens many face regarding their living situations.

Throughout her career, Kelly has encountered clients undergoing grief, divorce, and various personal traumas. She notes a recurring feeling of shame among those she serves regarding their homes’ conditions. “It became clear that I couldn’t simply instruct clients on what to discard; I needed to provide support rooted in compassion and empathy,” she shares. This transformative approach continues to inform her methodology.

In recent years, Kelly has shifted the focus of her business. Once mainly involved in hands-on work, she now limits her client engagements to two days a week. The remaining days are dedicated to managing social media, developing content, and overseeing her e-commerce venture, which includes digital products and educational courses on decluttering and organisation.

Central to her method is a structured approach she calls the “DeclutterCore” method, comprising four steps: collect, categorise, cut out, and contain. Each six-hour session she conducts typically involves approximately three hours of categorising and organising coupled with three hours of decluttering, a structure designed to respect her clients’ energy and decision-making capabilities.

Kelly has learned that the mental strain of decluttering rivals the physical effort required. “People often experience decision fatigue after just three to four hours of sorting through their belongings,” she explains. As a result, she intentionally designs sessions to allow clients to make confident, well-considered decisions without feeling rushed.

While many might assume that more clutter necessitates new storage solutions, Kelly’s philosophy is often quite the opposite. She reveals that approximately 90% of the time, clients’ existing storage items can be repurposed effectively. Initially, she focuses on what clients already have before determining any further needs.

This strategy is especially crucial when addressing bedrooms, a space that often accumulates clutter due to fast fashion habits. She notes that bedrooms frequently transform into catch-all spaces, serving as a refuge for items that don’t fit elsewhere in the home. “For many, starting with the bedroom can have a substantial impact not only physically but also mentally and emotionally,” she affirms, highlighting the importance of creating personal sanctuaries.

Yet, Kelly insists that decluttering precedes organisation, emphasising that it’s vital for clients to engage with their belongings meaningfully. “Many people mistakenly jump straight into organising without addressing the clutter first,” she points out. Her approach involves categorising items, which provides clarity and context, making it easier for clients to part with unnecessary items.

For those overwhelmed by clutter, Kelly advises a small and manageable approach. “Start with just one category — it could be your socks or shoes — and set a timer for fifteen minutes,” she recommends. The focus, she suggests, should be on gradually clearing out what isn’t needed rather than aiming for an immediate, total transformation.

Despite her extensive expertise in organising, Kelly candidly admits that her own home isn’t always impeccably tidy. Acknowledging her ADHD, she notes, “I have systems that accommodate my lifestyle, and I regularly declutter.” This personal insight emphasises that a balanced approach towards organisation doesn’t always translate to perfection. It’s about having systems that work effectively for one’s unique circumstances and habits.

Ultimately, Kayleen Kelly’s journey reflects a deep understanding of the intricate relationships between our living spaces and our emotional states. “Creating an environment that truly works for us is a skill that develops over time,” she states. Her philosophy champions the notion that our homes should serve us rather than frustrate us, paving the way for a more harmonious and functional living experience.