Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Julie Stobbe, Founder of Mind Over Clutter, located in Beamsville, ON, Canada.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

I started Mind over Clutter Professional Organizing and Coaching Services in 2006. I help clients in-person and virtually remove distracting clutter, develop systems and routines and manage their time. I have a wide variety of clients, women who need help in their homes, busy families keeping up with changing routines, entrepreneurs needing to help in their home offices, and clients needing guidance on how to let go of things that are less important now. I enjoy teaching organizing skills through presentations to groups, blogging, virtual organizing, and onsite work with clients.

Tell us about yourself

I learned about the industry of Professional Organizing in 1981. At that time, I didn't think I could successfully do a business doing it. Time progressed, and my life was very busy, so I waited about 25 years for it to be the right time for me. I am a naturally organized person, and I love organizing trips, parties, households, and moving, so becoming a Professional Organizer was a dream come true. I could use my skills developed in teaching, coaching, office work, parenting, and volunteering in combination with organizing. Organizing is like a puzzle to me. I come into a situation where all the pieces are there, and together with the client, we put them in the right places to make a beautiful picture. I enjoy helping people meet their goals and seeing their smiles.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Having been in business since 2006, 16 years, is a big accomplishment. Most recently, during Covid, I worked on building a website to host the new online course that I wrote, Create an Organized Home. Clients can work through the videos, step-by-step instructions, and worksheets to declutter and organize any room in their home. They have access to my expertise to answer their questions.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

One of the hardest things that come with being a business owner is keeping up with technology. It is constantly changing. Many of the changes make it easier to use software applications to do business. There are always updates that can cause problems to anyone's system.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Education is important. Keep learning, growing, and challenging yourself. It might be through courses, conferences, networking groups, mentors, coaches, blogs, or industry associations that will lead you to new ideas and ways to grow your business.
  2. When starting a business, have all your financial information established before you leave your employment. It is easier to get loans, increases on credit cards, and references when you are employed with a steady income. Having money available to use on the start-up costs will make it less stressful until you are making an income at your new business.
  3. Don't worry about making mistakes. Easier said than done. You will make decisions that don't turn out the way you had planned. The only mistake you can make is not learning from your decisions. You will need to try things to grow your business, and mistakes will happen. Consider that you're learning and moving ahead, and that is the only way to grow your business successfully.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Organizing takes many forms. Most people think of it as removing unwanted things and setting up good organizational solutions for what they are keeping. Organizing is so much more. It helps people with developing a mindset about having things and having less stuff, planning efficient moves, setting up filing systems, and helping clients overcome procrastination. It is about developing household routines so life is easier and they have more time for fun, morning routines to start the day well, and family routines to teach about responsibilities.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://mindoverclutter.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mindoverclutter/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliestobbe/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Julieorganizer
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliestobbemindoverclutter/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.