Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sasha Merelli. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Sasha, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today One of the most important things small businesses can do, in our view, is to serve underserved communities that are ignored by giant corporations who often are just creating mass-market, one-size-fits-all solutions. Talk to us about how you serve an underserved community.

My approach to providing organization stems from an observed need from those experiencing common mental health issues, such as: depression, anxiety, and ADHD. I believe that those with mental health challenges are underserved in my industry due to fear of being judged, misunderstood and/or turned down by professionals in home organization. This prevents them from reaching out for help with a situation that will continue to build on the overwhelm they are already struggling with. The evidence for this lies within the feedback I receive time and time again from friends, family and former clients that have expressed what’s held them back from asking for support.

The Bee’s Knees Home Organization Company combats this fear by gaining trust through a free, non-judgmental consultation process. This offers space for clients to dive into the root cause of the problem. Empathy and a hefty amount of optimism are key components to creating a safe space for authentic relationships to form. Pricing has also been a contributing factor for this population to obtain help. So, we have created a monthly membership program in which clients gain access to one-on-one sessions at a rate that is more financially attainable and less overwhelming.

Our physical environment is a direct reflection of our current psychological state, and so it is our intention to offer services that are both collaborative and compassionate. Organization is a form of self-care and what our company allows its clients to build, is confidence in the ability to care for their home with tools that are sustainable no matter what highs or lows come about. Having a routine in place, even in the darkest times, helps to establish a baseline of success. The more common this perceived level of success is reached, the more likely it is that each client can maintain a new system. Our experience is that this increases opportunity for overcoming adversity and embracing joy.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

The Bee’s Knees Home Organization Company was born January of 2021 in the midst of uncertainty due to a global pandemic. Following a shutdown of my previous company in the title insurance industry, I decided not to let the unemployment process consume me, but instead embrace what truly felt was aligned with my soul. Combining my background in abnormal psychology, my experience in hospitality and my love for visualizing and creating functional spaces is what allowed this idea to come to life. The industry of professional organization was still new to the area I lived in at the time. However, more and more evidence of this practice was being portrayed in mainstream media – like the introduction of Marie Kondo and The Home Edit. These professionals have created a path for more of us to follow which has reinforced the validity of our work. When our environment is free of unnecessary clutter, then our minds are free to explore and make space for happiness.

A more personal illustration of my inspiration is that of my mother’s battle with autoimmune disease and chronic illness. Both her experience and my father being the sole provider for the household is what granted me the example of strength that I needed to conquer obstacles. You see, life is hard enough when it is devoid of physical health challenges and/or being a caregiver for a loved one. The relevant nature of this in my life added a whole new layer to the importance of having an organized environment. Medical supplies being delivered on a daily basis, medical bills piling up and essential medical devices needing to be stored in case of emergency was a constant struggle on top of managing and being an advocate for my mother’s care. This led to bouts of depression for my mother and the helpless feeling you get when you watch a loved one suffer was not an option for me. I know now that if my family has come across this amount of overwhelm due to circumstances outside of our control, then I am sure there are many others needing support. I am a helper living in a community of people who have been taught to thrive on their own. The truth is that it is okay to rely on others to hold you up when you can no longer stand.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

A lesson that I had to unlearn when it comes to starting a business from the ground up, is that entrepreneurs have to work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in order to be successful. While it is challenging in the beginning to get your name out into the world, it is an unrealistic expectation to push past the limits of burnout and still offer a service or product that is authentic to the most aligned version of you. Taking space as a business owner to remind yourself why you started is essential to not losing that spark. We are only human and that is the most important part of my ability to relate with clients.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I’ve had to pivot in all aspects of my life numerous times and that alone makes me qualified to teach methods of adaptation. In the moment, I may have interpreted unexpected events as significant inconveniences. However, I realized much later that when life throws you off your intended course, it is because you were never meant to go down that path and to instead experience a chapter of growth and resilience.

Going back to my original motivation for reference, my family – I’ve had to mentally pivot my priorities in times of stress, when my mother’s existence was quite literally in the hands of a higher power. I’ve had to physically pivot when employers did not understand the severity of my situation. I’ve had to emotionally pivot when the world shut down and my comfort zone was eliminated. From pivoting, I have cultivated more joy than I ever thought possible as it provides a fresh perspective on the current situation. We all know the saying, that the only thing guaranteed in life is change. Accepting to surrender and venture off into the unknown is a practical skill that can be implemented for the remainder of our time here.

As an entrepreneur, your business will inherently evolve as you take lessons from clients and advice from friends and family on the journey with you. With that said, we should be appreciating the growth that is derived from making mistakes. It is okay if the business looks a little bit different than you imagined it would at one point in time. Pivots do not have to be as monumental as the examples that I’ve given. Small changes can make a world of difference. The point of the matter is that pivots sanctify progress.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.thebeeskneeshomeorgco.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/tbkhomeorgco
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/tbkhomeorgco