How do I start a professional organizing business?
How can I test my skills as an organizer?
What credentials would clients expect me to have?
How can I improve my organizing skills?
Do I have to sell products and maintain an inventory?
How do I expand my knowledge of organizing products?
How do I get clients?
Can I make a living as a professional organizer?
How much should I charge?
Do I need insurance?
Do I need to incorporate my business?
Beyond organizing skills and business sense, what else do I need to know?
What are the advantages of joining NAPO?

How do I start a professional organizing business?
First, do some research on launching a business. Read a book or take a class on how to start and operate a home-based or small business. Check the website of the Small Business Administration and other Internet sources.

Secondly, talk to existing organizers. Attend a NAPO chapter meeting, and visit the websites of professional organizers to see what they offer. Decide if you want to specialize or be a generalist, based on your skills and experience.

NAPO holds an annual conference in the spring that is open to prospective organizers, and also offers teleclasses (www.napo.net). Each year, the Chicago Chapter of NAPO holds a seminar and/or conference on becoming an organizer.

How can I test my skills as an organizer?
Practice on your own home or office. Offer to do projects for friends or relatives, such as a big closet, home office, or an entire room that needs help. When the job is finished, ask for an honest appraisal of your work, and if you can use them as references.

Some organizers hire prospective organizers to help with large projects. Attend a NAPO chapter meeting and let the members know you are available.

What credentials would clients expect me to have?
Most prospective clients discuss their needs with you, ask you how you would proceed, and want to know what you charge. Be prepared to explain how or where you developed your skills, but most prospective clients don’t ask.

Becoming a member of NAPO or NSGCD adds to your credentials. Becoming a Certified Professional Organizer and adding the CPO^® designation to your name tells clients that you have achieved a high level of professional development and increased knowledge gained through preparation for the BCPO examination

How can I improve my organizing skills?
There are now dozens of books on the market about organizing your home and your office, articles on the subject in newspapers and magazines, and even a few magazines dedicated to the topic, such as Real Simple. There are TV shows on home design and organization, many on HGTV and TLC. Read and watch!

Do I have to sell products and maintain an inventory?
You need to be aware of products available in the marketplace and how products can be used in creative ways.  It is not necessary to stock items, but the choice is yours.

How do I expand my knowledge of organizing products?
Browse through stores like the Container Store, Target, Office Depot, and Home Depot. Get on the mailing list for catalogs such as Hold Everything, Solutions, Improvements, Stacks and Stacks, and Hard to Find Tools.

How do I get clients?
Educate yourself on basic marketing techniques.  Consider the specialties you are offering, your target audiences, and ways to reach them.  You will have to try different strategies to discover what works for you. There is no single way to market any business.

Can I make a living as a professional organizer?
Yes. Public awareness of the organizing industry is increasing, and so is the demand for organizers. However, there are many variables involved in the success of an organizing business—your marketing efforts, your skill level, the amount of time you devote to it, and even your geographical area. 

How much should I charge?
Most organizers charge by the hour, and rates range from $40 to $150 per hour, and sometimes higher.  Charge what you think you are worth, or use this formula:

Take an arbitrary annual salary figure (such as $50,000). Add your estimated operating expenses, such as advertising and marketing, office equipment and supplies, liability insurance, and possibly utilities and rent. Add the cost of benefits such as vacation, sick days, health and disability insurance, and retirement plans. 

Divide this total by the number of hours you can logically expect to work in a year.  The typical full-time professional bills about 15 out of 20 working days a month, or 1,440 hours a year (15 days x 12 months x 8 hours a day).  (It is also important to note that you will put in many non-billable hours doing your own administrative and marketing work.)  The result will be the amount you should charge per hour.  Eventually, you'll probably be able to raise your rates as you gain more experience.

Do I need insurance?
In part, this depends on the types of organizing services you provide (for example, packing and unpacking).  Contact an insurance agent for advice on this matter. If you join NAPO, a liability insurance program is available to members.

Do I need to incorporate my business?
We suggest you consult an attorney or accountant to find the best answer for your situation.

Beyond organizing skills and business sense, what else do I need to know?
It’s important for you to establish a good relationship with a client. Ask questions, be a good listener, and be flexible. You might have to customize your solutions to suit your client’s lifestyle, habits, and personality traits.

Maintain client confidentiality. Be honest, reliable, respectful, and responsible. Don’t be critical or judgmental. In other words, provide the service and behave in a manner that you would expect from anyone you invited into your home and, in many cases, into your personal life.

What are the advantages of joining NAPO?
Informing your clients that you belong to a national association of professional organizers adds to your credibility. You will be part of a national referral service. You will have continuing education opportunities, and a national network of associates. For all the benefits, review Why Join NAPO at www.napo.net.