National Small Business Week

Every year since 1963, the President of the United States has proclaimed National Small Business Week to recognize the contributions of small businesses to the economic well-being of America. As part of National Small Business Week, the U.S. Small Business Administration recognizes this special impact made by outstanding entrepreneurs and small business owners. In 2011, National Small Business Week will honor the estimated 27.2 MILLION small businesses in America. Small businesses are major contributors to the strength of the American economy. More than half of Americans either own or work for a small business. According to the Small Business Administration, they also create 60-80 percent of new jobs in the country. Yes, you read that correctly: 60 - 80 PERCENT. I didn't make it up. That number came direct from the Small Business Administration's website. Politicians, are you listening? Those are numbers we can sink our teeth into.  Additionally, small businesses drive innovation and increase U.S. competitiveness. Small businesses ARE are the BACKBONE of this country.As a Professional Organizer, I am passionate about my small business clients and moving them to the next level of success. If you are ready to move your business forward, contact me to help you!

In it to win it with direct sales!

Ask any person who is in direct sales why they do it, and they will usually tell you they are passionate about their particular product. It is what originally enticed them to the business as a consumer; then came learning they could actually do "this" as a business and make money at it. Somewhere from that first spark of passion to their time in business, most struggle with actually running their businesses and earning what they expected. There are a ton of direct sales companies out there. Here are just a few:

• Rodan + Fields / Mary Kay / BeautiControl / Avon

• Lia Sophia / Silpada / Stella & Dot / Premier Designs / Guy and Eva

• Juice Plus / Advocare /Genesis Pure / Nature's Sunshine / Isagenix / MonaVie

• Pampered Chef / Tupperware

• Thirty-One Gifts / Scentsy

As an organizer who specializes in helping clients with their paperwork, I often see insides the lives of these very talented people . The problem is certainly not with their chosen line of products. Most of the products are fantastic products which are priced reasonably; the companies themselves are well-known, reputable, and well-respected; and with many, the company itself has invested a great deal in marketing and advertising.  The rate-limiting step is, quite simply, organization. Take heart, however, the problem is not with you. Most of these businesses are paper-driven businesses with a plethora of forms, brochures, product announcements, price sheets, product information sheets; you name it. It can be absolutely overwhelming! Each person trying to run this type of business wears many hats, to say the least: that of trying to run a "storefront" with products on hand, being the sales person, office manager, and bookkeeper, at a minimum.Working with clients in these types of businesses, I have successfully put into place systems which help them to run their businesses so that they can focus on what they do best: selling the products they are passion about. I typically hear, "Now, I can really do this!"Whether you are have been in a direct sales business for a while, you are a newbie to this type of career or are thinking of dipping your toe in the water, being organized is an absolute must. If you want to win at this type of business, start with GETTING ORGANIZED! Then SALE ON, SALE ON, my friends.Bless you in your day and in your success! ~ Kat Jacoby

What do fitness and organizing have in common?

Getting fit, dieting, and getting organized make the top New Year's resolutions EVERY year! If any of those were on your list and you've sidetracked a bit; take heart, it's only February and you can easily get back on track!I was presenting to a delightful group of ladies just recently. It was on the coldest day of the year thus far, and yet all these women had turned out to learn about more about organizing. Moreover, this group had just finished their regular exercise together at a local church's facility. When I asked them how often they exercise together, they replied: 3 times a week, and they have been doing it as a group for years! Just for the record, the youngest in the group is about age 50. Let me tell you folks, this was a group of "hot" looking women. They had figures and shapes that would defy those of many 20-year olds! Fitness is not defined by age.Interestingly, organizing and getting fit have a lot in common, I explained to them:Both are a lifestyle change.You make a decision to exercise and get fit. You must also make a decision to get organized. Change is not easy, but it is good! You can make a choice to change and start living a more simple and organized life.Both can be learned.Despite the routine school of thought, people are not "born with the organizing gene." I was not always organized. I learned as a young mom that when I was more organized, everything else went more smoothly in our home and we all had more peace. I'm still a work in progress and make a commitment to it each day! Organization is a skill which can be learned. Just like learning a new exercise routine, you can learn organizing skills which you can apply in every aspect of your life.Both have to be maintained.You don't exercise one time and your muscles are fit. The same goes with organizing a space, however, most folks seem to think of organizing as a one-time fix. You don't clean your house or office one time and never have to do it again. Lots of living and activity go on in a house and office. For those of you who wanted to hear there was a "magic wand fix," I apologize for bursting your bubble here.Both can be better when done with a friend.These ladies gather together for their exercise because they support and encourage one another in a variety of ways. Encouragement: It is one of the most powerful words I know. Having someone to help and support you in your organizing efforts will ensure success.You can have setbacks in both. "Practice makes...better," is the mantra of our friend and beloved Pastor, Bobby Vitek. You will have days where you have interruptions in your fitness schedule and things that deter you from your organizing goals. Organization is NOT about perfection; it is about simple, sensible solutions for real people in everyday life.The results are rewarding. The results of getting fit: feeling better, looking better, better health numbers where it counts (i.e. cholesterol), reducing stress, getting those endorphins pumping, and then later, sleeping better. The results of getting organized: peace of mind, reducing stress, reducing mental clutter, being able to enjoy your space, finding things when you need them, productivity, and saving money. What would getting (more) organized do for you? You fill in the blank: ________."Practice makes...better." Start somewhere. Start today!I'm here to help you find peaceful order where you live and work,~ Kat Jacoby

Elfa is on sale at Container Store

Being passionate about organizing & helping others, it's only natural for me to be in tune with lots of organizing tools & solutions. Not all Elfa requires laborious installation! Here are some of my favs which can be installed in minutes. The result: added storage for your pantry, bathroom, utility room or media room.

One of my favorite things

One gift I gave myself last Christmas was a Reader's Stand from Brookstone. It has been a fav all year long. It keeps the magazines and books I am currently reading available, yet neatly stacked (and sorted / separated). Mine sits right by my recliner. I typically read while hubby watches TV. I can settle into my chair and grab the next read! The Reader's Stand would be great by a Master Bed or in a Guest Room, too! It's $199.95 at Brookstone; takes a tiny bit of assembly; available in Mahogany or Distressed Black. Love, love, love it!

Keep Holiday Stress to a Minimum

Did you know that December is officially National Stress-Free Family Holidays Month? Here are 4 basic tips suggested in an article from Web MD. Then continue to read on for the complete article to have a more peaceful & happy Holiday Season!If you need help with your Holiday Planning or Decluttering your Holiday Spaces, call your favorite Professional Organizer today!1. Say No to Holiday Parties you don't want to attend.2. Say NO to out-of-control gift giving.3.  Say NO to unwanted houseguests.4. Say NO to taking on the work of a big holiday celebration.http://www.webmd.com/balance/features/keep-holiday-stress-minimum-learn-say-no

Start Your Morning with a Fast Start

If you want to start your morning being the MOST effective and productive, TAKE 10 to 15 minutes at the end of the prior day updating your master list, grouping like projects / items (I like using clear Project Files from The Container Store), and putting away unnecessary files.When you walk into your office and it looks like The Tasmanian Devil (cartoon) has made a pass by your desk, it's not a good way to start your day. By spending those valuable minutes the day before, it now helps to set the tone for the new, productive day, which you now control.An additional bonus to this 10 to 15 minutes spent? It allows you to help establish priorities and clear your mind of the day's tasks. Knowing you have taken this time will allow you to decompress on the trip home and at least, mentally, leave work at the office, until tomorrow.

Safeguard your identity when purging paper

Whether you deal with your paper on a daily or weekly basis, as you sort and purge items, be mindful of protecting your identity! This is a must-have tool for me from The Container Store. You can safeguard your personal information from prying eyes with this self-inking ID Guard Stamp. The unique pattern masks your name and address on discarded credit card offers, junk mail or magazines. Use it to cover up account numbers, telephone numbers or other identifiable information you don't want others to access.Safeguard your identity. Then, RECYCLE all that paper!

Happy Organizing ~ Kat Jacoby