Title/Company: Professional Organizer at Simple Organized Solutions (aka SOS)

Chapter: Scottsdale/East Valley, Arizona

Contact: Andrea@ProfessionalOrganizerAZ.com or call (480) 382-1085

Q: Tell us about yourself. You're a member of the Scottsdale/East Valley chapter, where do you live? 

I live in Mesa, AZ, and I am a professional organizer. I’ve been in the business since 2003, long before Marie Kondo became popular. My clients are corporate and residential, which also includes seniors looking to downsize. I grew up in Southern California, and I have been in AZ since 1988.

Q: What is one thing everyone should do at least once in their lifetime?

Take a risk! Do something that makes you uncomfortable and that stretches you. Write that book, hike the Grand Canyon, cross something off your Bucket List! The biggest risk I’ve taken so far was starting my own business.

Q: Did you choose your profession, or did it choose you?

Professional Organizing chose me. I worked in corporate America for many years. Typically, my roles were in office management and/or accounting. My primary focus was to streamline the processes and train employees. Once I got the business back on track and things were running smoothly, I would get bored and find my next company to straighten up and streamline.

People like me are usually born this way - with a Project Manager mindset. Organized and methodical. We are planners and have great foresight. I'm able to see the end of a project in my mind before it’s even started. In this profession, I feel blessed to have married my passion with my purpose. That’s what “in the flow” feels like to me.

Q: What goals are you working on now?

Personally, I'm prioritizing a healthy work-life balance, and to that end, I’m feeding my love for travel. The beauty of owning my own business is that I'm able to help my clients and also schedule trips here and there.

Professionally, I have a couple more books in progress. One is a children's book and the other is for seniors to help them 'right-size' their lives, and organize their estates.

I have two published books: One as the sole author and the other is a collaborative project with 45 other writers. Simplify Your Life: 8 Simple Principles to Turn Your Chaos into Calm and Guiding Grace: Wisdom of the Silver Sisters can be found here: https://professionalorganizeraz.com/shop/

Q: What do you like to do when not working?

I love to spend time with my family. Whenever my kids or husband ask what I want for holidays or birthdays, I always ask for time that we can spend together. I have two daughters; one daughter is in Sandy, Utah and the other is in Houston, TX.

Q: How does your work connect you to The W Source network?

I know most W Source members work with the type of people I can help. For example, attorneys will meet with clients and send them home with paperwork that doesn't get done; that's where I come in. I enjoy helping people with their paperwork. I also help real estate agents and their sellers with decluttering and staging their homes.

The W Source was attractive to me because of the high caliber of professional women I have met. In fact, I have known our chapter head for over 30-years. I've done a lot of networking over the years, and I'm so happy with this unique format.

Q: What else would you like W Source members to know about you?

I’d like to close with two quotes from my book:

“Organization is a lifestyle, not a project.”

“If you keep everything, nothing matters.”

Our Mini Member Spotlight series was created for you to meet the many amazing women who make up The W Source®.

If you are a current member and would like to be nominated for a future spotlight or know someone who could benefit from connecting with The W Source®, please contact us for more information!