Please meet my client, Virginia Maddan, owner of Comfortable Structure. Virginia is a wonderful creature who loves, loves loves to organize. I’ve enjoyed working with this smart lady and learning more about her business and other amazing stuff, like virtual organizing and how lives have been transformed. Read more about Virginia and her interesting profession.
What does a professional organizer do?
As a professional organizer, I help my clients reduce their stress and overwhelm by changing their relationships with their ‘clutter.’ Most often, people think of clutter as physical (e.g., piles of paper). In addition to that, I also help people with mental clutter (e.g., time management).
How did you get into professional organizing?
I grew up with a lot of stuff. My generous parents surrounded me with lots of toys, books, art supplies, and on and on. I realized at a young age that I would need to figure out how to organize my stuff if I ever wanted to find what I wanted. That, coupled with the fact that we lived in San Francisco, a place not well known for its abundant storage space, helped me get creative with organizing. Many years later, when working in corporate America, I realized that I had the most fun organizing. Desk tops, drawers, storage spaces, computer files, you name it! That launched me into my career.
How can a professional organizer help me?
A professional organizer brings a lot to client sessions. We offer an objective perspective to your space, accountability, as well as knowledge of products, services and vendors that can enhance your systems and productivity. A lot of times, this is at no extra cost to our clients. There are a plethora of free services as well as creative reuse of the items you currently own. The most important thing we bring is an open, non-judgemental approch so you feel comfortable throughout our working relationship.
What can a professional organizer help me with?
Professional organizers help people in nearly any aspect of space and time. We work in every room in your home, from the garage to the attic, in offices and storage units. We help people coordinate moves, as well as packing and unpacking and organizing. Many people don’t realize that professional organizers also work with people manage systems flow, inter office communication, and time management.
Do you have to come to my home or office?
No! It’s surprising to most people that organizers don’t need to necessarily be present for the sessions. Not all organizers offer this service, but I work with clients virtually. My virtual clients are typically busy business owners who want to chip away at their project. I’ve worked virtually with clients on many different projects: email management, reorganizing a desk, reorganizing entire office, creating a mobile office, prioritization, delegation, task management and scheduling, and more. The process and results are the same as they would be if I were in my clients’ offices.
How long will it take to get organized?
It really depends on several factors. How well are your systems working now? If they need a complete overhaul, it will take a longer to set up systems that work for you. Also, the amount of time you want to dedicate in between appointments will dictate how long we work together. Some of my clients really tackle a lot in between appointments and others choose to do all of the work while we’re together. I always work with my clients budgets and abilities, so if you have a concern, we can adapt our work to accommodate it.
I know someone that wants help, but they’re a little embarrassed to have you see their mess, what can you do?
I think embarrassment is a common feeling, along with stress and overwhelm, that’s associated with clutter. Many of my clients report that when they first thought about hiring me, they felt embarrassed. The reason they worked with me is that they felt comfortable with me and the frustration surrounding their clutter outweighed the embarrassment. After working together, they found that I’m comfortable to be around and the embarrassment gave way to excitement over conquering their clutter. I can also offer a complimentary half hour consultation so we can discuss the project. It’s the first step to overcoming embarrassment and seeing a path to results.
Does everyone get the same kind of “organization”?
Not at all! We’re all different and the organizational tools I suggest depend on who my clients are. If you’re a visual learner who is using an organizational tool that is designed for a linear thinker, it will be a little tougher to maintain that system. During my work with clients, I ask tons of questions about how they process information, what their current habits are, any challenges the face (such as ADHD), what their other obligations are, etc. The answers to all of these questions shape the suggestions I offer.
What rooms do you organize?
I have helped people organize any room you can think of: living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, family rooms, offices, and more. I even have worked with parts of rooms. Sometimes a room is working pretty well, but there’s one closet, drawer, or other area that is a ‘catch-all’ for clutter. Aside from rooms, I also work with people on organizing their calendars, tasks, systems flow, and helping them increase their productivity and effectiveness.
Do you do the organizing work for me or do I do it with you?
The majority of my clients work with me during every session. On occasion, I have worked alone while my client is away. However, most of these times, I had worked with the client prior to me working solo so I could learn their goals, habits, etc. Since we all prioritize differently, it’s important for me to know what the expectations are so my clients are satisfied with any work I do solo. But, there are exceptions to every rule! A common type of project that doesn’t require the clients’ constant attention is moves. Unpacking and organizing from a move can be straightforward. I always schedule a client call prior to the move so we can discuss their goals and anything special that they’d like organized a certain way.
Do we have to tidy up before you show up?
Please don’t! My ultimate goal is to teach my clients how they can maintain the systems we set up as well as adapt them as their lives change. If you tidy up and remove clutter before I arrive, I won’t know if certain areas attract clutter and need a solution.
Will a person stay organized after working with you?
Yes! I’m happy to report that my clients tell me that they are able to maintain the systems we set up together. People have success whether we work together for one session or 20. On occasion, I have had a client who wants a system tweaked. In those cases, there’s something that has changed in my client’s life and they request my advice and support as they change the systems.
Special Offer…
Virginia is generously offering a discount on her services to my network, something I know a few of you could use (come on, admit it). You will receive the FULL-ON! Virginia treatment. See below for details and call to reserve your spot today!
10-15% discount with Comfortable Structure
Just in time, Virginia is offering to help clear the clutter with a 3 hour organizing session!
This is perfect for those of you who have “get organized” or be more productive on your resolution list. Virginia is able to hone in on the problem and have a plan of action ready in a matter of minutes. Get ready to have your life transformed by changing your relationship with your clutter. You can expect to be more organized, significantly reduce your stress and increase your quality of life. You can’t ask for much more than that!
Virginia is offering her organizing session 15% discount to anyone who has worked with me, Angie Glotzbach. Need Virginia’s help, but haven’t worked with me? Virginia is still happy to offer you a 10% discount.
This offer is limited to the first 5 people who sign up. When you contact Virginia, all you need to do is mention “Angie Glotzbach” and you’ll be on your way to a stress and clutter free space.
Virginia Maddan | 415.868.5694
virginia@comfortablestructure.com | comfortablestructure.com
Bio
Virginia Maddan loves to organize and thinks being organized makes life easier. As a professional organizer, she helps people by giving them a helping hand and expert advice. Often times it’s beneficial for someone with an objective eye to look at a project. This is exactly what we bring to each job. We listen, observe, and work with you to solve your organizational challenges. We bring an open approach to each job and we provide attentiveness and focus to your organizing needs.
Throughout our professional relationship, everything is confidential. As a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO), we hold ourselves to their code of ethics. In addition to confidentiality, we promise to “serve…clients with integrity, competence, and objectivity, and will treat them with respect and courtesy.” (NAPO)
Virginia is active in her community and is a member of The National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) and has served on the board of the San Francisco Bay Area chapter of NAPO.
