Today we’d like to introduce you to Cheryl Russo.
Cheryl, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
As a kid, I was organized, but I had no idea back then that organizing would become my career later in life. I worked in education for many years, and being organized helped tremendously, but my educational career took me to a state job where I spent many hours a week in a cubicle. It wasn’t a dream setting for me. I knew that I needed a change, but it wasn’t until I had dinner one night with a friend that I realized that organizing would be in my future. I had told my friend that I wasn’t happy at my job, and that after 12 years at the same job (in the same cubicle!), I was ready for a change. I realized that night that I wanted to help people organize their spaces, both work and home. I wanted to teach people systems for being efficient, but I had no idea that a career like this existed! So I did some research, and after about a year, I started Organizing by Cheryl! I had a website, business cards, a social media presence, and ongoing speaking gigs. I really enjoyed it! I started getting clients too! BUT…I had not quit my day job. It was too scary for me. I just couldn’t do it. So I was working both jobs; I would use vacation days from my day job to take organizing clients. I worked weekends and weeknights for my business. However, the idea of quitting a very secure day job just scared me so much! But then two things happened. At my day job, we had a retirement party for a woman who had worked for the state for 42 years. She was so happy to be able to start her retirement, spend time with her two college-aged daughters, and collect that pension that she had worked (and stressed) so long for! But sadly, when the retirement party ended, she walked out of the main door of the building, had a heart attack, and died. This affected me so much! It was definitely a sign. I couldn’t stay at a stressful secure job just for the pension. So many people were doing that! I had to get out. But not quite yet. I knew I needed help making the leap, so I hired a fabulous life coach. She helped me to get ready emotionally. And after about nine months or so, I gave my notice at my day job, and I fully embraced the entrepreneurial life!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road to getting my business up-and-running was smooth, but I worked very hard. I worked on my social media presence, my presentations, my elevator pitch, and networking. I met so many people, and I was constantly handing out my business card. It was a lot of work, but it was worth it! Now, I have a bunch of clients that I help to be better organized, and I love it!
Please tell us about Organizing by Cheryl.
Organizing by Cheryl is a decluttering and organizing business. I go to clients’ homes and/or offices and declutter with them. We talk about how they live their lives, and this informs how I set up the space. I also teach the client about systems for maintaining an organized space. The key of course is to not let clutter happen! So I teach my clients tricks and tips for keeping clutter at bay. I talk about keeping “like with like.” This means that all of the hiking gear gets stored together; all of the holiday decorations are kept in one place; and there is no “junk drawer.” I specialize in helping people to live with less; I help folks downsize. I’m known for being a minimalist. I only live with what I need. My home is minimal and organized. You will not find a drawer full of cords and wires in my home. There is no junk drawer. And I can find anything I need within a minute! I really enjoy working with clients to let go of all of the stuff that has been weighing them down. I like when clients start to say, “Why in the world was I keeping this?” or “It’s time to let this go.” I think what sets me apart from other organizers is that I really do try to encourage my clients to live with less and to let go of the guilt that they sometimes have over their stuff. No one needs to keep a gift from a family member out of guilt. That will just stress you out.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
I remember as a child rearranging my bedroom so that my sister and I could have more space. It was something I really enjoyed doing! I should have known then that I’d end up working that into a career somehow!
Pricing:
- Professional organizers typically charge anywhere from $50 to $200 an hour.
Contact Info:
- Address: Organizing by Cheryl
23 Central Ave. #803
Lynn MA 01901 - Website: http://organizingbycheryl.com
- Phone: 978-853-6661
- Email: cheryl@organizingbycheryl.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/organizingbycheryl
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/organizingbycheryl
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/organizingbyche
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/organizing-by-cheryl-lynn
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/organizingbyche
Image Credit:
Before and After photos from Organizing by Cheryl
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