Trading Boardrooms for Sock Drawers: Why I Became a Professional Organizer
Professional Organizers get asked a lot of questions. It’s true. But the #1 question I'm asked, hands down, is “Why Did You Become a Professional Organizer?” (Which is then often followed by, “I mean, how does that even happen?”)
If I had a dollar for every time someone asked me this question (usually while eyeing their own overflowing junk drawer), I could retire to a perfectly organized beach house. But the truth is, I love telling this story because starting BrightHome Organizing here in Portland has been quite the adventure. I get to help people transform their spaces into organized homes that truly support them every day - and now, I can’t imagine doing anything else.
Let's be real - nobody grows up thinking, "You know what I want to be? The person who helps other people figure out what to do with their sock drawer!" And yet, here I am, helping others turn overwhelming spaces into peaceful places they love coming home to. (And yes, I do have strong opinions about sock drawers, but we'll save that for another post!)
Why I Started BrightHome Organizing
The real reason I started this business goes much deeper than my reputation as the friend who will reorganize your kitchen spice cabinet while you're making coffee. While that passion for order might make my friends laugh, it stems from something more meaningful: I'm deeply passionate about helping others conquer the overwhelming clutter in their homes and lives because I've been there myself.
Despite having a successful corporate career, it wasn’t that long ago when my own home had become a source of constant stress rather than comfort. I found myself struggling to relax, unable to shake the feeling of disarray both in the physical space around me and in my mind. What I didn't realize then was how directly connected my home environment was to everything else in my life.
As you’ll find to be the case with most professional organizers, I started out in a completely different career.
For years, I was very successful in the corporate world, where my organizing skills definitely came in handy (it turns out executive teams need just as much help getting organized as their file cabinets do). Eventually though, I realized that moonlighting as the friend who could declutter any chaotic space could be more than just my unpaid hobby - and it deserved to be, considering that’s where my heart truly was. I absolutely love helping others find the calm that’s around them at home (it’s usually just hiding behind their stuff). Trading my corporate meetings for in-home consultations? Best career move ever.
Here's what I've learned: organizing doesn't come naturally to everyone - and that's completely okay. Some people are naturally organized, some people are naturally creative, and some people are naturally athletic. We all have different strengths. The problem is that society often makes people feel like they "should" be able to organize their homes without help.
But think about it - we don't expect everyone to be their own personal trainer, tax accountant, or hairstylist. So why do we put that pressure on ourselves when it comes to organizing? Whether you're someone who's achieved many life goals but still feels overwhelmed, or someone who simply knows organizing isn't your strength - that's exactly why professional organizers exist.
The most fulfilling part of my work isn't measuring drawers or placing labels (though I do enjoy that). It's knowing that I've helped someone transform a source of daily stress into a place of calm. That moment when someone looks around and says, "I never thought my home could feel like this" - that's what drives me. The transformation isn't just in the physical space; it's in how people move through their days with more ease and confidence. Helping someone find peace in a space that once caused anxiety isn't just about organizing their stuff - it's about transforming how they feel in their own home. That connection, that impact, is why I do this work every day.
I started BrightHome because I wanted to help people create homes that work for them - spaces that reflect their lives and aspirations - spaces where they can truly relax and thrive. Not a "perfect" home, but a home perfect for them. Big difference.
The Professional Organizing Industry Today: Not Just Pretty Bins
The professional organizing industry has grown into a diverse field with many different approaches. Some organizers excel at creating gorgeous, Instagram-worthy spaces with perfectly matched containers and beautiful labels, and there's absolutely a place for that! Those transformations can be stunning and bring real joy to people inspired by food beautifully decanted in containers and who have the budget for those projects. For others, organization may simply mean superb functionality - perhaps making a tight space work really well for them.
When I founded BrightHome, I chose to focus on what matters most to whomever I’m working with. For me and my clients, organizing begins with mindful decluttering - making conscious choices about what we carry forward with us in our lives. Of course, I create organized spaces that are beautiful (always as defined by my wonderful clients), but always with intention at the heart of the process. Organizing is really as we define it - it can simply be decluttering and downsizing. It can be sorting and organizing. It can be labels and bins - or a combination of all. Organizing is truly about what works for YOU. No more, no less. There’s no what organizing “should be” or is “supposed to be” involved. It’s all about what you need.
This focus is one of the reasons why I chose to become a certified KonMari consultant, although it's just one of the tools in my organizing toolbox. I love having the flexibility to blend different approaches based on what works best for each client.
So, What Does a Professional Home Organizer Actually Do?
Honestly, ask ten different organizers and you'll get ten different answers! We're a diverse bunch with our own unique superpowers and specialties. That's why it's worth shopping around a bit to find your organizing soulmate. When someone reaches out to me but might benefit more from another organizer's expertise or unique skills, I'll happily play matchmaker. And yes, my fellow organizers return the favor when they meet someone who needs my particular brand of organizational magic. So, what's my answer to the burning question of what I actually do? Well, I'm a professional organizing hub, filling multiple roles based on what’s needed:
Part decluttering guide (navigating the path from too much to just right)
Part therapist (because sometimes that "junk drawer" is actually full of memories)
Part systems maven (creating order that actually sticks)
Part reality check provider (do you need 28 reusable water bottles? Just wondering.)
Part educator (helping organizing to work through aha-moments, whether in your pantry or at a community workshop)
And most importantly, I'm a real person who understands that life gets messy sometimes. My own home isn't perfect 24/7, but I do know how to get it back in shape quickly, and that's what I teach my clients. Having some tricks and systems up your sleeve can help you stay afloat when unexpected things happen, and this is all part of setting your home up to work FOR you. For example, setting up a “GCO” (Guests Coming Over) system for those panic moments when unexpected visitors are on their way really helps! Super easy + major impact = less stress.
Looking Forward (Organizing Just Keeps Getting Better)
The organizing industry keeps evolving in exciting ways, and trust me, it's not just about folding shirts anymore. As our lives and needs change, professional organizing is changing too. These days, we're seeing:
Virtual organizing (bringing professional organizing support right to you, no matter where you are)
Sustainable organizing (because the planet needs our help too - and together we can make thoughtful choices about what we keep and how we dispose of what we let go)
Tech integration (though I still believe in the power of a great label maker, digital tools help us maintain our systems and stay organized long-term)
New ways to make organizing work for you (because no two spaces - or people - are exactly alike, and your organizing solutions should be as unique as you are)
Community-based organizing (helping those around us through donations and educating through interactive workshops and engaging speaking events that make organizing principles accessible and fun)
What really excites me about these changes is how they're making organizing support more accessible to everyone. Whether you're a busy parent who needs flexibility, someone dealing with a big life transition, or just ready to make a change in your space, there's a way to get the support you need, when you need it, in a way that works for you.
Whether you're looking for a complete home organization transformation, help with decluttering, or support during a stressful move or downsizing project, working with a professional organizer can make the process so much easier. I bring the expertise, systems, and supportive approach that turns overwhelming spaces into functional ones that truly work for your lifestyle.
Whether I'm rolling up my sleeves in your home to create personalized systems that match your lifestyle or bringing laughs and lightbulb moments to your team or community through an interactive workshop, this is what brings me joy. Nothing beats seeing that moment when someone realizes "it doesn't have to be this hard" - whether that's in their living room or during a fun group session where everyone's sharing their organizing challenges. Let's create some organizing magic together!
Hey there! I’m Kerry, and I’m a professional home organizer in the Northwest, specifically the Portland, Oregon / Vancouver, Washington area. I also travel up to the Mat-Su Valley region of Alaska (Anchorage, Palmer, Wasilla) a few times a year - going everywhere clearing clutter from people’s homes. I’ll meet you where you're at, zero judgment (and will bring along a sense of humor).
We can declutter, organize, and create spaces that support the life you want to live!
If you’d like, you can learn a bit more about me here.
Want to schedule a no judgment, complimentary consultation? I’d love the opportunity to meet you, hear your story, and learn how I can help.
