How to Start Your Own Professional Organizing Business

When opening your professional organizing business, keep these essential aspects in mind:

1. Services — Decide on the types of organizing services you will offer, such as home organization, office organization, decluttering, downsizing, moving coordination, and digital organization.
2. Certification — Consider obtaining certification from a recognized organization such as the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals (NAPO) to enhance your credibility.
3. Equipment — Invest in essential tools and supplies such as storage bins, labels, filing systems, and organizing products. Ensure you have reliable transportation to travel to clients’ locations.
4. Home office — Set up a home office or small commercial space to handle administrative tasks, client consultations, and planning.
5. Register your business — A limited liability company (LLC) is the best legal structure for new businesses because it is fast and simple. Form your business immediately using ZenBusiness LLC formation service or hire one of the best LLC services on the market.
6. Legal business aspects — Register for taxes, open a business bank account, and get an EIN.
7. Website and online presence — Create a professional website showcasing your services, portfolio, and client testimonials. Maintain active social media profiles to engage with potential clients.
8. Personalized plans — Create personalized organizing plans for each client based on their specific needs and preferences.
9. Partnerships — Build relationships with related businesses such as real estate agents, interior designers, and moving companies to generate referrals and collaborate on projects.

You May Also Wonder:

Can a professional organizing business be profitable?

Absolutely!  The average organizing job costs $500, so even if you just have 3 clients a week, you can make a healthy profit. Your ongoing expenses are very low, so most of what you make will stay in your pocket.

Do I need training to be a professional organizer?

Training is not required, but it can certainly add to your credibility, particularly if you are trained by a professional association. You can take classes through the National Association of Productivity & Organizing Professionals (NAPO). 

What are the duties of a professional organizer?

The duties of a professional organizer include assessing clients’ organizing needs, developing personalized organizing plans, decluttering and purging belongings, creating efficient storage systems, providing guidance and support, teaching organizing skills, and collaborating with clients to maximize space utilization.

How do professional organizers get clients?

Professional organizers can acquire clients through networking with related professionals, building an online presence, offering workshops or webinars, seeking referrals from satisfied clients, collaborating with local businesses, and utilizing targeted advertising or direct mail campaigns.

What types of spaces or areas can a professional organizing business help organize?

A professional organizing business can help organize various spaces, including residential spaces such as homes, apartments, closets, garages, basements, attics, and storage areas, as well as office spaces like home offices, corporate offices, and workspaces.

Can I start a professional organizing business on the side?

Professional organizing makes a great side hustle. Starting small and gradually expanding your client base can help manage workload and accommodate your other responsibilities. 

Step 1: Decide if the Business Is Right for You

Pros and cons

Starting a professional organizing business has pros and cons you should consider before deciding if it’s right for you.

Professional organizing industry trends

Industry size and growth

• Industry size and past growth – The US home organization market has grown more than 40% over the last decade.((https://www.statista.com/statistics/622446/value-of-the-us-home-organization-market/)) Analyst Research and Markets values the US home organization products market at $12.2 billion in 2021.((https://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/5389715/us-home-organization-products-market-2021-2030))  
• Growth forecast – Between 2018 and 2028, demand for professional organizers is expected to grow 7% and create 9,600 job opportunities across the US.((https://www.zippia.com/organizer-jobs/))
• Number of people employed – There are nearly 45,000 organizers employed in the US.((https://www.zippia.com/organizer-jobs/demographics/))

Trends and challenges

Trends in professional organizing include:

• The aesthetics of organizing is becoming just as important as usability due to the social media influence. People are posting pictures of their closets and want them to be visually appealing.
• Professional organizing is becoming more of a science, considering the psychology of the customer and their needs. For example, some care more about what is most visible rather than making the most used items the easiest to reach.

Some challenges also exist in the professional organizing industry including:

• Big players are entering the industry such as The Container store, creating a more competitive environment.
• Barriers to entry into the industry are low, increasing the competitive environment even more.

What kind of people work in professional organizing?

• Gender – 53% of all organizers are female, while nearly 47% are male.((https://www.zippia.com/organizer-jobs/demographics/#gender-statistics))
• Average level of education – 62% of organizers hold a bachelor’s degree and 11% finished high school. Organizers usually study political science, business, or psychology. ((https://www.zippia.com/organizer-jobs/education/))
• Average age – The average age of organizers is 40+ years old.((https://www.zippia.com/organizer-jobs/demographics/#age-statistics))

How much does it cost to start a professional organizing business?

Startup costs for a professional organizing business range from about $2,000 to $5,000. The largest expenses are for a website set up and an initial marketing budget. The high end also includes professional organizing classes which are not required but can add to your credibility. You can take classes through the National Association of Productivity & Organizing Professionals (NAPO). 

Start-up Costs	Ballpark Range	Average
Setting up a business name and corportation	$150 - $200	$175
Licenses and permits	$100 - $300	$200
Insurance	$100 - $300	$200
Business cards and brochures	$200 - $300	$250
Website setup	$1,000 - $3,000	$2,000
Professional organizing courses	$0 - $400	$200
Initial marketing budget	$500 - $1,000	$750
Total	$2,050 - $5,500	$3,775

How much can you earn from a professional organizing business?

The average price that customers pay for an organizing job is about $500. The price will vary based on the size of the job and the time that it takes. Your profit margin should be around 90%. 

In your first year or two, you could do 3 organizing jobs per week, bringing in $78,000 in annual revenue. This would mean $70,000 in profit, assuming that 90% margin. As your brand gains recognition, sales could climb to 10 jobs per week. With expected annual revenue of $260,000, you would make about $234,000.

What barriers to entry are there?

There are a few barriers to entry for a professional organizing business. Your biggest challenges will be:

• You need to know good organizational methods
• It will take some marketing dollars to get a large customer base

Step 2: Hone Your Idea

Now that you know what’s involved in starting a professional organizing business, it’s a good idea to hone your concept in preparation to enter a competitive market. 

Market research will give you the upper hand, even if you’re already positive that you have a perfect product or service. Conducting market research is important, because it can help you understand your customers better, who your competitors are, and your business landscape.

Why? Identify an opportunity

Research professional organizing businesses in your area to examine their services, price points, and customer reviews. You’re looking for a market gap to fill. For instance, maybe the local market is missing a professional business organizer. 

This could jumpstart your word-of-mouth marketing and attract clients right away. 

What? Determine your services

You need to determine what types of organizing services you will do. You could specialize in something like closets, or you could organize a variety of things including:

• Basements
• Garages
• Kitchen cabinets and pantries
• Attics
• Business establishments
• Home offices
• Files

How much should you charge for professional organizing services?

Prices for organizing jobs range from $250 to $800 and average about $500. You should determine your prices based on the time that the job takes you. Prices should work out to an average of $50 to $100 per hour. Your ongoing expenses should be limited to fuel and marketing so you should aim for a profit margin of about 90%.

Once you know your costs, you can use this Step By Step profit margin calculator to determine your mark-up and final price point. Remember, the price you use at launch should be subject to change if warranted by the market.

Who? Identify your target market

Your target market will be broad, although the people that will be willing and able to pay for your services are probably more established. You can find them on sites like Facebook and LinkedIn. 

Where? Choose your business premises

In the early stages, you may want to run your business from home to keep costs low. But as your business grows, you’ll likely need to hire workers for various roles and may need to rent out an office. You can find commercial space to rent in your area on sites such as Craigslist, Crexi, and Instant Offices.

When choosing a commercial space, you may want to follow these rules of thumb:

• Central location accessible via public transport
• Ventilated and spacious, with good natural light
• Flexible lease that can be extended as your business grows
• Ready-to-use space with no major renovations or repairs needed

Step 3: Brainstorm a Professional Organizing Business Name

Here are some ideas for brainstorming your business name:

• Short, unique, and catchy names tend to stand out
• Names that are easy to say and spell tend to do better 
• Name should be relevant to your product or service offerings
• Ask around — family, friends, colleagues, social media — for suggestions
• Including keywords, such as “professional organizing” or “home organizing”, boosts SEO
• Name should allow for expansion, for ex: “TidyUp Solutions” over “Office Organizers”
• A location-based name can help establish a strong connection with your local community and help with the SEO but might hinder future expansion

Once you’ve got a list of potential names, visit the website of the US Patent and Trademark Office to make sure they are available for registration and check the availability of related domain names using our Domain Name Search tool. Using “.com” or “.org” sharply increases credibility, so it’s best to focus on these. 

Finally, make your choice among the names that pass this screening and go ahead with domain registration and social media account creation. Your business name is one of the key differentiators that sets your business apart. Once you pick your company name, and start with the branding, it is hard to change the business name. Therefore, it’s important to carefully consider your choice before you start a business entity.

Step 4: Create a Professional Organizing Business Plan

Here are the key components of a business plan:

• Executive Summary: Highlight the vision of your professional organizing business, its services, target market, and what will make it successful.
• Business Overview: Detail what organizing services your business will provide and the organizational problems it aims to solve.
• Product and Services: Describe the specific organizing packages you offer, like home decluttering, office systematization, or digital organization.
• Market Analysis: Examine the demand for organizing services in your area, including potential customer segments and their needs.
• Competitive Analysis: Identify other professional organizers in the market and how your business will differentiate itself in service quality, methods, and prices.
• Sales and Marketing: Outline how you will market your services and what strategies you will use to sell them, such as social media campaigns or partnerships.
• Management Team: Present the experience and qualifications of the team that will manage and grow the business.
• Operations Plan: Explain the process of how services will be delivered, client management, and workflow.
• Financial Plan: Summarize the financial aspects, including startup costs, pricing strategy, and projected financial growth.
• Appendix: Include any additional documents like client testimonials, detailed market research, or organizational certifications that support your business plan.

If you’ve never created a business plan yourself before, it can be an intimidating task. Consider hiring an experienced business plan writer to create a professional business plan for you.

Step 5: Register Your Business

Plus, registration is exciting because it makes the entire process official. Once it’s complete, you’ll have your own business! 

Choose where to register your company

Your business location is important because it can affect taxes, legal requirements, and revenue. Most people will register their business in the state where they live, but if you are planning to expand, you might consider looking elsewhere, as some states could offer real advantages when it comes to professional organizing businesses. 

If you’re willing to move, you could really maximize your business! Keep in mind, it’s relatively easy to transfer your business to another state. 

Choose your business structure

Business entities come in several varieties, each with its pros and cons. The legal structure you choose for your professional organizing business will shape your taxes, personal liability, and business registration requirements, so choose wisely. 

Here are the main options:

• Sole Proprietorship – The most common structure for small businesses makes no legal distinction between company and owner. All income goes to the owner, who’s also liable for any debts, losses, or liabilities incurred by the business. The owner pays taxes on business income on his or her personal tax return.
• Partnership – Similar to a sole proprietorship, but for two or more people. Again, owners keep the profits and are liable for losses. The partners pay taxes on their share of business income on their personal tax returns.
• Limited Liability Company (LLC) – Combines the characteristics of corporations with those of sole proprietorships or partnerships. Again, the owners are not personally liable for debts.
• C Corp – Under this structure, the business is a distinct legal entity and the owner or owners are not personally liable for its debts. Owners take profits through shareholder dividends, rather than directly. The corporation pays taxes, and owners pay taxes on their dividends, which is sometimes referred to as double taxation.
• S Corp – An S-Corporation refers to the tax classification of the business but is not a business entity. An S-Corp can be either a corporation or an LLC, which just need to elect to be an S-Corp for tax status. In an S-Corp, income is passed through directly to shareholders, who pay taxes on their share of business income on their personal tax returns.

We recommend that new business owners choose LLC as it offers liability protection and pass-through taxation while being simpler to form than a corporation. You can form an LLC in as little as five minutes using an online LLC formation service. They will check that your business name is available before filing, submit your articles of organization, and answer any questions you might have.

Step 6: Register for Taxes

The final step before you’re able to pay taxes is getting an Employer Identification Number, or EIN. You can file for your EIN online or by mail or fax: visit the IRS website to learn more. Keep in mind, if you’ve chosen to be a sole proprietorship you can simply use your social security number as your EIN. 

Once you have your EIN, you’ll need to choose your tax year. Financially speaking, your business will operate in a calendar year (January–December) or a fiscal year, a 12-month period that can start in any month. This will determine your tax cycle, while your business structure will determine which taxes you’ll pay.

It is important to consult an accountant or other professional to help you with your taxes to ensure you are completing them correctly.

Step 7: Fund your Business

Securing financing is your next step and there are plenty of ways to raise capital:

• Bank loans: This is the most common method but getting approved requires a rock-solid business plan and strong credit history.
• SBA-guaranteed loans: The Small Business Administration can act as guarantor, helping gain that elusive bank approval via an SBA-guaranteed loan.
• Government grants: A handful of financial assistance programs help fund entrepreneurs. Visit Grants.gov to learn which might work for you.
• Friends and Family: Reach out to friends and family to provide a business loan or investment in your concept. It’s a good idea to have legal advice when doing so because SEC regulations apply.
• Personal: Self-fund your business via your savings or the sale of property or other assets.

For a professional organizing business you probably won’t need any outside financing and can just use your personal funds since startup costs are low.

Step 8: Apply for Licenses and Permits

Starting a professional organizing business requires obtaining a number of licenses and permits from local, state, and federal governments. You can become a certified professional organizer through NAPO to add credibility to your business. 

Federal regulations, licenses, and permits associated with starting your business include doing business as, health license and permit from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), trademarks, copyrights, patents, and other intellectual properties, as well as industry-specific licenses and permits. 

You may also need state-level licenses and local county or city-based licenses and permits. The license requirements and how to obtain them vary, so check the websites of your state, city, and county governments or contact the appropriate person to learn more. You could also check this SBA guide for your state’s requirements. 

If you feel overwhelmed by this step or don’t know how to begin, it might be a good idea to hire a professional to help you check all the legal boxes.

For peace of mind and to save time, we recommend using MyCorporation’s Business License Compliance Package. They will research the exact forms you need for your business and state, and provide them to you to make sure you’re fully compliant.

Step 9: Open a Business Bank Account

Before you start making money, you’ll need a place to keep it, and that requires opening a bank account. Keeping your business finances separate from your personal account makes it easy to file taxes and track your company’s income, so it’s worth doing even if you’re running your professional organizing business as a sole proprietorship. 

Opening a business bank account is quite simple, and similar to opening a personal one. Most major banks offer accounts tailored for businesses — just inquire at your preferred bank to learn about their rates and features.

Banks vary in terms of offerings, so it’s a good idea to examine your options and select the best plan for you. Once you choose your bank, bring in your EIN (or Social Security Number if you decide on a sole proprietorship), articles of incorporation, and other legal documents and open your new account. 

Step 10: Get Business Insurance

Business insurance is an area that often gets overlooked yet it can be vital to your success as an entrepreneur. Insurance protects you from unexpected events that can have a devastating impact on your business.

Here are some types of insurance to consider:

• General liability: The most comprehensive type of insurance, acting as a catch-all for many business elements that require coverage. If you get just one kind of insurance, this is it. It even protects against bodily injury and property damage.
• Business Property: Provides coverage for your equipment and supplies.
• Equipment Breakdown Insurance: Covers the cost of replacing or repairing equipment that has broken due to mechanical issues.
• Worker’s compensation: Provides compensation to employees injured on the job.
• Property: Covers your physical space, whether it is a cart, storefront, or office.
• Commercial auto: Protection for your company-owned vehicle.
• Professional liability: Protects against claims from a client who says they suffered a loss due to an error or omission in your work.
• Business owner’s policy (BOP): This is an insurance plan that acts as an all-in-one insurance policy, a combination of any of the above insurance types.

Step 11: Prepare to Launch

As opening day nears, prepare for launch by reviewing and improving some key elements of your business. 

Essential software and tools

Being an entrepreneur often means wearing many hats, from marketing to sales to accounting, which can be overwhelming. Fortunately, many websites and digital tools are available to help simplify many business tasks. 

You can use industry-specific software, such as SMM Ware, to manage your sales, scheduling, quotes, and billing. 

Accounting

• Popular web-based accounting programs for smaller businesses include Quickbooks, Freshbooks, and Xero. 
• If you’re unfamiliar with basic accounting, you may want to hire a professional, especially as you begin. The consequences for filing incorrect tax documents can be harsh, so accuracy is crucial.

Develop your website

Website development is crucial because your site is your online presence and needs to convince prospective clients of your expertise and professionalism.

You can create your own website using services like WordPress, Wix, or Squarespace. This route is very affordable, but figuring out how to build a website can be time-consuming. If you lack tech-savvy, you can hire a web designer or developer to create a custom website for your business.

They are unlikely to find your website, however, unless you follow Search Engine Optimization (SEO) practices. These are steps that help pages rank higher in the results of top search engines like Google. 

Marketing

Here are some powerful marketing strategies for your future business:

• Targeted Workshops and Seminars: Offer free or low-cost organizing workshops or seminars in your local community to showcase your expertise and attract potential clients.
• Collaborate with Realtors: Partner with real estate agents to offer your organizing services to clients preparing to sell their homes, emphasizing the appeal of an organized space.
• Social Media Challenges: Engage your audience on social media by creating organizing challenges or tips series, encouraging followers to share their progress and experiences.
• Client Testimonials and Before/After Photos: Build credibility by sharing success stories and visually striking before/after photos on your website and social media platforms to demonstrate the tangible benefits of your services.
• Referral Programs: Implement a referral program that rewards existing clients or partners who refer new business to you, fostering a network of advocates for your services.
• Local Partnerships: Establish partnerships with local businesses like furniture stores, cleaning services, or home improvement stores to cross-promote services and tap into each other’s customer base.
• Printed Materials and Direct Mail: Design eye-catching brochures, flyers, or postcards to distribute in local businesses or mail to targeted neighborhoods, showcasing your services and offering exclusive discounts.
• Online Presence Optimization: Enhance your online presence through search engine optimization (SEO) techniques, ensuring that your business ranks high in local search results.
• Community Sponsorships: Sponsor local events, sports teams, or community activities to increase brand visibility and demonstrate your commitment to the community.
• Specialized Packages or Seasonal Promotions: Create special packages or promotions during peak seasons, such as spring cleaning or back-to-school, to attract clients looking for specific organizational solutions.

Focus on USPs

Unique selling propositions, or USPs, are the characteristics of a product or service that sets it apart from the competition. Customers today are inundated with buying options, so you’ll have a real advantage if they are able to quickly grasp how your professional organizing business meets their needs or wishes. It’s wise to do all you can to ensure your USPs stand out on your website and in your marketing and promotional materials, stimulating buyer desire. 

Global pizza chain Domino’s is renowned for its USP: “Hot pizza in 30 minutes or less, guaranteed.” Signature USPs for your professional organizing business could be: 

• Make your closet shine
• Can’t find stuff? Let us put your house in order
• De-clutter your office and improve your business efficiency

Networking

You may not like to network or use personal connections for business gain. But your personal and professional networks likely offer considerable untapped business potential. Maybe that Facebook friend you met in college is now running a professional organizing business, or a LinkedIn contact of yours is connected to dozens of potential clients. Maybe your cousin or neighbor has been working in professional organizing for years and can offer invaluable insight and industry connections. 

The possibilities are endless, so it’s a good idea to review your personal and professional networks and reach out to those with possible links to or interest in professional organizing. You’ll probably generate new customers or find companies with which you could establish a partnership. 

Step 12: Build Your Team

If you’re starting out small from a home office, you may not need any employees. But as your business grows, you might want to hire an assistant to help you with organizing jobs.

Free-of-charge methods to recruit employees include posting ads on popular platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, or Jobs.com. You might also consider a premium recruitment option, such as advertising on Indeed, Glassdoor, or ZipRecruiter. Further, if you have the resources, you could consider hiring a recruitment agency to help you find talent. 

Step 13: Run a Professional Organizing Business – Start Making Money!

In a busy world, people need to stay organized to have time to do all there is to do. Professional organizers have expertise that can help to streamline people’s lives. Organizing has also risen in demand because people want their spaces to look nice, as well as be utilitarian, and they are willing to pay for a professional’s help. 

By starting a professional organizing business, you can capitalize on that demand and make a healthy profit. Now that you have all the knowledge that you need, you’re ready to start organizing your entrepreneurial plan and launch a successful business!