Networking and speaking to groups have broadened my client list and put me in touch with many of my clients. I speak to any group that will listen to me.
Lisa Gessert has been organizing since 1999. She specializes in home offices and small business offices as well as hosting workshops on time management and space management. Having built a reputation of excellence on time and space management Lisa is in demand by individual professionals and businesses alike. Working one-on-one or in groups, Lisa helps people build customized time and space management solutions that work for them.
Lisa is a Real Colors Certified Facilitator since 2003. Using this fun and interactive tool to discover more about your temperament.
Lisa is a member of:
NAPO – National Association of Professional Organizers
Powerful You Women’s Network Group
FindMyOrganizer.com
Lisa is an organizer, blogger, wife, mother and grandmother. She is a golfer, ballroom dancer and runner.
Where did the idea for Organizing.buzz come from?
I am an organizer and buzz is a term I use for “news” what’s the buzz about. I thought it was catchy and stated what I do. Organizing.buzz
What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?
Depending if I have a hands on client or a client assessment. My day starts by getting my supply bag ready and making sure I am on time to start my client projects. I blog very early mornings, return emails at days end.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I love making space more functional for my clients, giving direction on how better to utilize their space and their time, I love creating a great space that reflects my clients personality.
What’s one trend that excites you?
The downsizing of “stuff” people put a lot of stock in things they buy and own, I am hoping the trend to downsize gets bigger and more people “learn to let go” of their items.
What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?
I use 2 things that keep me on track, 1. Google calendar and 2. My Planner Pad. Planning out my week and putting everything down on paper is key to making sure it gets done and done on time. I couldn’t live without a routine.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I would have started my business long before I had, sometimes our fears hold us back from moving forward, I would tell myself I am great at what I do and people have a need for my experience.
Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.
When I tell a client “Everyone can be organized” they don’t believe me until we are done with the project and they realize they are maintaining their spaces!
As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?
Purge, purge & purge. It’s just “stuff” live in the space you have and stop purchasing things that mean nothing to you. There is a saying “Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.” by William Morris and if more people realized it’s “Just Stuff” and live life more the better they would be.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?
Networking and speaking to groups have broadened my client list and put me in touch with many of my clients. I speak to any group that will listen to me. Seniors, students, teachers, etc.
What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?
Trial and error on marketing, where to market, whom to market to, who am I? Figuring out what my target market was and is. Who am I selling to? Finding your niche is very important in my field.
What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Customer Success is huge right now, companies wanting to please their customers. Companies are looking for great new ideas for keeping their customers happy. Consulting in this area will surely be used and needed.
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?
I spent $100 for an event I am attending in April 2018. I could have paid nothing but that $100 is going to get me marketing for hundreds of potential clients that I couldn’t get elsewhere for that amount of money. Plus a list of attendees. Wise $100 spent.
What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
I blog a ton. I blog weekly so wordpress is a big service to me and my newsletter I send via Madmimi has a great format and allows me to stay in touch with my contacts
What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?
If you want to get a handle on your productivity I highly recommend Getting Things Done: the art of stress free productivity by David Allen. This has been a tremendous help in setting priorities in all facets of my life.
What is your favorite quote?
For every minute spent organizing, an hour is earned. ~ Benjamin Franklin
Key learnings:
* Do your toughest projects during your peak hours. Find your peak working hours when you are at your best at concentrating and do the tasks at those peak times
* Create a great calendar – you will come to rely on this everyday, all day long. I use Google calendar which I share with anyone, color code it and can bring it up while I am working outside the office
* If you love what you do, your clients will know it, they will also know it if you don’t
* Try to have a friend to bounce things off, I am a solopreneur, I do not have a team of people in my office, so being able to bounce ideas off to someone is invaluable to me.
Connect:
Blog Page:
Organizing.buzz on Facebook:
Organizing.buzz on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lisagessert1
Organizing.buzz on Twitter:
Lisa Gessert on Pinterest:
Carlyn runs the day-to-day publishing operation here at ideamensch and interacts with our awesome customers and entrepreneurs. She is likely editing this with a cat on her lap.