Meet Michelle Brodeur

We were lucky to catch up with Michelle Brodeur recently and have shared our conversation below.

Michelle, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?
Prior to becoming a professional organizer, I worked in a stuffy corporate environment that stifled any creativity that didn’t fit in their rigid box. That slowly stifled my spirit and my mental health took a hit. When I discovered professional organizing after working with a career coach, I found the ideal way to use both the business side of my brain, to communicate with clients and discover bottlenecks in their processes, AND the creative side of my brain, to make any space feel lighter and brighter. Outside of the business, I keep my creativity alive by reading novels, singing and making music with my husband and making it a point to travel somewhere new once per quarter.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Professionally, I am focused on making a difference in the world, because I’ve learned that I can’t put my heart fully into something that doesn’t have pure intentions. I can’t work for anyone that puts the all-mighty dollar in front of the wellbeing of customers and employees. I’ve tried, I’ve failed, and I’ve evolved. That is why I started my own business as a professional organizer. I saw that I could make a real difference in the lives of women and families all across the Denver area, and that impact can be felt in just a couple of hours of working together. Another big part of my life is my part-time work with Life is Better Rescue in Lakewood. LIBR is an animal rescue that works tirelessly to transport dogs and cats from overcrowded shelters in the Midwest and give them a chance at a forever home out here in Colorado. Just last month, we held an adoption event at Petsmart and at the end of the day, over 3o dogs were adopted! It fills my heart to help these deserving animals live their best life.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
1. Find what works for you – If you don’t feel like you fit in your corporate environment, you don’t have to stay! Don’t know where to start? Hire a career coach to help point you in the right direction.

2. Always prioritize your health – If we don’t take care of ourselves, we won’t have the gas in our tanks needed to be our best selves and handle all the things that need handled. There are amazing nutrition coaches, personal trainers and mental health therapists out there to help.

3. Talk to people – Never stop networking! Seek advice from others that have been in your shoes, and surround yourself with inspiring people on the daily to keep you motivated. Your support system is everything.

Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
Every day can be overwhelming if you let it, so it’s important to have strategies in place to get you out of the rut and moving forward.

1. Break the task down into smaller sections – Don’t look at the whole staircase, just the step in front of you. What is one small step you can take today to help you get closer to your goal?

2. Take a break – If you’re burnt out, remove yourself from the situation for however long it takes. Go for a walk around the block to clear your head, get lost in a novel, or plan a weekend getaway.

3. Take care of yourself – Eat nutritious meals, drink water, get in 30 minutes of movement, or do a face mask to pamper yourself. When you’re overwhelmed, it’s time to take a break and add more gas to the tank.

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