Are you looking for a business that is unique and not that widely known? Something out of the box that helps you put your organisational skills to the test? Perhaps you should then become a professional organiser and open an organising company or business.
A professional organiser is someone who helps customers to organise and tidy their business, living spaces or even storage rooms. They teach clients to be more organised and structure a room or area in such a way that is conducive to living tidier. Clients range from individuals who need to get a handle on a disorganised space, anyone downsizing or even bereaved families who need to sort through a deceased’s estate.
A professional organiser is skilled in creating structure out of chaos. They gathered knowledge about the best ways to neatly store items that are frequently used and create a space for everything so that everything can have a place. Some of the tasks in the organising process may include:
- Labelling items, containers or storage spaces.
- Organising rooms, cupboards, shelves, desks or other storage facilities.
- Utilising storage space in the best, most efficient way possible.
- Disposing of or recycling unwanted or unnecessary items is an ethical and responsible way.
- Developing a long-term strategy to remain organised.
To deliver this service, you will need certain skills
Become a Qualified Professional Organiser
Before you jump into a business, consider if it is an idea that enhances your existing skills and if these skills will help you succeed. Just like a doctor who hates blood will struggle to become a surgeon, an organiser who dislikes cleaning and tidying a room will not comfortably make this business a success.
1. Enhance Natural Skills
As a professional organiser who wants to utilise their skills to start a business, you will need the following skills:
Organisation skills: These skills involve structured grouping of different items, categorising, labelling, packing away and ensuring the space can be used most efficiently.
Problem-solving: Organising someone’s cluttered home means needing to cleverly solve challenges such as space, utility and efficiency. Space issues might require additional storage, utility might indicate that some items are more useful than others, and efficiency will help organise a space like a room to have a hairdryer closer to the mirror where it will be used, then place it in a far-away cupboard.
Empathy: Working with people means dealing with emotions, especially if customers become attached to items. This is an even greater possibility when helping customers organise a deceased estate.
Attention to detail: Attention to detail is necessary when it comes to being thorough and adding that little bit extra, such as storage containers that match the colour scheme of a room.
Communication skills: Where your business relies on delivering a service, it is vital that you can communicate clearly.
Creativity: Creativity is always useful as it helps you not only create an appealing and organised space, but also one that utilises space in a creative way.
2. Complete Training and Enhance Knowledge
You can find resources to help you be a better professional organiser, such as online courses and blogs.
In South Africa, you can book a workshop with Cloud 9 Organised to learn how to become a professional organiser. You can also learn by reading books such as How to start a professional organising business by Everleigh Maldonado.
Start Turning your Skills into a Professional Organiser Service
Turning your skills into a complete service means registering a business. You must create a business plan, a name for your business and what structure you will have (for example, sole proprietorship, partnership, etc.). Here are the steps you need to take:
Step 1: Register your business
Registering your business requires you to list your business on the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) database. Thankfully, you can do this online through its BizPortal. You must also register with the South African Revenue Service (SARS) to receive a tax number.
You can take this opportunity to also reserve your business’s domain name, should you wish to. This is a good idea, because clients can then easily see what the services entail.
2. Look at Financials
You must set up a budget to plan what exactly the exact amount of money you will need. This is a step that you will have added into your business plan, so you should be able to refer back to it. From the budget, you can see how much start-up capital you need and devise a plan to put together the funds.
Next, open a bank account to use for all your business expenses and income.
Additionally, find software or use digital tools that help you keep track of your finances. You will be more than just an organiser, you are a business owner. Therefore, you need to keep track of everything you earn or spend.
3. Create Your Brand and Marketing Strategy
Once you have your brand name, you have to consider how you want to position your brand. You need to then develop a marketing strategy that takes your target audience into consideration.
When you research your target audience, take into consideration what area you are able to service, what type of client you want to serve (homeowners or business), and what your services will entail.
Before you start sharing your marketing materials on social media, have your pricing ready as well. As soon as someone starts booking your service, you must be able to provide them with a quote.
4. Build Your Client Base
Start networking to find your clients. Don’t only invest in digital marketing but also ask your clients to share your details with interested acquaintances. Slowly but surely, you can start building your client list. Some clients will be a once-off clients, others will be returning clients. It all depends on the type of service you deliver.
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