It’s March, which means two things are in full swing: Women’s History Month and the season of spring cleaning. I had the opportunity to talk with Katherine, the CEO of Tidy Milso, about her journey, challenges, and the impact she’s making as a professional organizer in the world of organization and entrepreneurship.
1. What inspired you to become a professional organizer?
I started the business in 2020, and the desire to help people organize started in 2017.
It was a few years after my husband and I graduated from college, and he decided he was going to join the military. I didn’t take it seriously until he came home and shared his date for basic training. As a big planner, I thought about how I could plan for this. I saw a blog that recommended all these things I should do: lose weight, pay off debt, declutter, and read a book. Being an overachiever, I did all those things.
I lost 40 lbs., and we ended up paying over 80k in debt. I gathered from the book Live More, Want Less, the idea that we can take back control of our lives. After decluttering, before virtual organization was a thing, I talked to my husband on the phone, and we got rid of 20 bags of stuff. I remember sharing on Facebook, and people responded. Even at that time, I didn’t see it as a business.
In 2020, I came across Marie Kondo. I watched her Netflix show not once, not twice, but three times. I was trying to get confirmation, “Is God trying to show me this because I am supposed to meet this woman and be doing this?”
I found out she had a certification program. After we finished our debt-free journey, my gift to myself was her certification program, and I started the business that month.
It wasn’t a straight and narrow path. With the pandemic happening, so many people were looking for professional organizers, which highlighted my desire to start a business.
2. As a Black woman in this industry, have you faced any unique challenges or experiences?
It's predominantly white women in the industry; they are at the top and making the money.
I never had those feelings of imposter syndrome. It was like my previous experience in property management. I did recognize earlier that many white women were getting more opportunities, including brand partnerships, and had a higher social media following.
As someone with a Communications background, as a society, when we see ads and we see white women, we lock in a little longer. This is from seeing them from decades to decades in ads. I try my best when I see an ad and it’s a person of color, to continue to watch it. Those metrics are what people are looking at to create opportunities for businesses.
With Black Lives Matter, it highlighted a lot of the Black professional organizers and those established. Six months into the business, I was getting articles and people were featuring my business.
My following is not a lot, but I recognize that my followers are true followers. They engage in my content, spread my name to others, and attend my events. When I started my business, I had to differentiate myself from being hired help and being the CEO, the boss, that I am. Tildy Milso is my brand, my business.
Running a home-based service business can sometimes lead to misunderstandings, where I may be seen as hired help. However, ultimately, when someone hires me, it is to provide a professional service.
3. What’s your best advice for someone overwhelmed by clutter but doesn’t know where to start?
I always start with a mindset that is as glorious as social; it’s an emotional and physical process. You go through your collection of items from 10 to 20 years. The best tip is to prepare your mindset and to make sure you’re ready to take it on.
Think about what you want to declutter and set expectations. For example, if you want to declutter your closet, the expectation is that you will get through it all in one weekend. This is unrealistic. Make the larger task more manageable, like tackling a section of your closet.
4. Are there any underrated or surprising organizing hacks you swear by?
As a millennial, I can relate to the trend of holding onto iPhone boxes. I recommend my clients keep their boxes until we've finished organizing. Certain boxes, like the sleek white iPhone box, can be repurposed and add an aesthetically pleasing touch.
5. Why do you think spring cleaning is such an important ritual?
January is "Get Organized Month," but many set intentions in March, naturally gravitating toward spring cleaning and decluttering. As nature blossoms and renews in spring, it's the perfect time to reset your home and take inventory of what to keep and what to let go of.
6. What’s one organizing habit every woman should adopt this year?
I always say the bedroom is the mind of the home. I encourage people to create a system for their bedside table and make it as clutter-free as possible. By having a tidy space, you have a tidy mind.
“Starting and ending the day with a clear mind.”
7. What has been the most rewarding part of running your business?
By far my clients! When they achieve success and mention my role, it feels incredibly rewarding. Hearing that I made a positive impact on their lives is truly heartwarming.
8. What’s next for you—any upcoming projects or goals?
Being a published author. The Room for Romance event series.
9. How can we connect with you?
On all socials @tidymilso and my website, tidymilso.com.
I hope this conversation with Katherine, a Professional Organizer, inspires you to start your spring cleaning, just as it inspired me!
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