We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Nancy Peham. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Nancy below.
Nancy, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?
When I first started my professional organizing business over 20 years ago, I didn’t have many role models to follow. I did know one or two women who were organizing for a living, and sometimes they would refer a client, or let me shadow them on a job. I developed my confidence over time by joining NAPO, the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals, reading everything written about organizing-related topics, taking classes, becoming a CPO – Certified Professional Organizer, and talking to other organizers.
But the greatest benefit has come through working with thousands of clients over the years. I’m continually striving to be a better listener, to both verbal and non-verbal messages, and trying to get to the root of the problems behind their disorganization.
I’ve learned about brain-based conditions that can impact decision making, the ability to focus, and maintaining attention to tasks. This makes me more aware of the difficulties that some of my clients may experience.
I try to solve problems in new and inventive ways, and I also rely on tried-and-true solutions that have served me well over the years.
I also learn from my clients. They help me understand how certain challenges and life-situations are affecting their ability to get or stay organized. By better understanding what’s holding them back, I’m able to try different approaches that might benefit them, and possibly other clients who struggle in similar ways.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
My company is Helping Hands Personal Services, but most people know me as “Helping Hands.” I’m a Certified Professional Organizer, which means I’ve helped many clients over the years, taken a certification exam, and participate in continuing education to improve my skills and knowledge on an ongoing basis.
I work primarily with homeowners and have 3 main areas of focus. I organize and de-clutter all areas of the home including kitchen and pantry, wardrobe closets, bathrooms, laundry rooms, closets, kids’ rooms playrooms, craft rooms and practically every other area of the home, including garages.
In addition, I work with clients to reduce or eliminate paper clutter, set up and maintain filing systems, and organize home offices.
My third core service is assisting with moving, which includes downsizing, de-cluttering a home for sale, packing, unpacking, and setting up my clients’ new homes.
I also work with senior citizens and their families when downsizing or moving is necessary, which includes all the tasks mentioned above. I love the variety in my day-to-day work and consider myself lucky to enjoy all aspects of my business.
Having worked with a lot of clients in major life transitions, I’ve begun offering assistance to estate executors who need help with many of the tasks that need to be taken care of when someone has passed.
Some of the new services I offer are listed below.
Identify and set aside valuables including:
photos albums / loose photos / film cameras / family movies
genealogy information
jewelry
coins / stamps / other collections
heirlooms / antiques
memorabilia and keepsakes
artwork
personal journals / diaries / letters
sentimental items
tools and equipment
keys / loose change / uncashed checks / other currency
• Work for the executor to find missing or hard to locate items
• Identify and gather property named in will
• Search for important documents which haven’t been previously located
• Gather all items specified by executor for donation
• Make arrangements for the pickup or drop off of donations
• Arrange for the recycling of electronics and other hazardous material
• Arrange for the disposal of bulk trash items
• Sort and categorize contents of garages / attics / on-site storage units
• Empty off-site storage units
• Arrange for disposition of contents of off-site storage units as specified by executor
• Gather all electronics including:
cell phones
laptops / tablets
hard drives / flash drives
digital cameras
• Safely pack items for heirs if needed
• Maintain frequent contact with executor, communicating progress and discussing issues
Clients can choose as many or as few of these tasks as they need help with.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Adaptability.
Being an organizer requires that you are prepared to try new approaches when working with clients. Each person is different in terms of their goals, the obstacles they’re facing, and the degree of disorder and disorganization in their homes.
Clients have their own ideas about what constitutes “being organized” so it’s important that we don’t make assumptions or try to make them conform to our standards. As organizers, we tend to want perfection, but that isn’t practical for everyone.
Being aware of the client’s words and body language to be sure they’re not overwhelmed, distracted, or have reached their limit during an organizing session.
Knowing your niche within the organizing field will help you to say “yes” to the clients you can help, and “no” to those who need something you can’t provide.
Ask yourself whether you’re happy being a generalist who does a bit of everything, or for example, are you only interested in closet design and organization, or helping homeowners get settled in a new home?
Do you want to work with seniors, or do you prefer families with young children?
There are so many directions this profession can take you.
Over time your choices will result in your business being unique to you and your strengths and will give you the rewards you’re looking for.
Continual Learning.
It’s important to continue learning and improving your skills and knowledge throughout your career. Reading and taking classes about organizing, working with physical and mental issues you might encounter with client, and anything related to communication will help you in this profession.
That’s why I’m a member of NAPO, the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals, as well as being a member of ICD, the Institute for Challenging Disorganization. It’s also why I became a CPO, or Certified Professional Organizer. NAPO and ICD offer a wealth of learning opportunities, and earning a CPO designation tells my clients that I’m committed to learning and self-improvement.
Compassion and a Desire to Serve.
It would be difficult to be a successful organizer without a desire to help people. Our clients show their vulnerability when they allow us into their homes, especially when they’re embarrassed or ashamed.
It’s very rewarding to share their success when we’re able to help them achieve their goals.
Being non-judgmental puts them at ease and lets them know that we understand their struggles and are there to help.
Not all clients are like those I just described, and just need a partner to keep them on track, share ideas, and help them get the goal accomplished.
Whether it’s organizing a closet or kitchen, helping with paperwork, or simply decluttering or downsizing, it’s great to know that you’ve made someone’s life easier and less stressful.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
My parents were entrepreneurs. My dad’s creative imagination and my mom’s business support were great examples for me growing up. I observed and absorbed a strong work ethic, and a sense of humor that kept things light.
I saw that they loved what they did and knew that their life revolved around our family and the business. The only knowledge I had about a work life was what they showed me. As a kid I was able to go to my dad’s manufacturing plant, see where he worked and do some little chores with one of my sisters.
As we got a little older, we were able to earn some money preparing some of his products for shipping to customers. I was always excited to help out and be part of it.
I had no idea that one day I would start my own business, but I think the seeds of my success were rooted in those early experiences.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.HelpingHandsPs.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nancypeham/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HelpingHandsPS/
Image Credits
I took all the pictures
