Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Calyn Collie. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Calyn, thanks for joining us today. Alright, let’s jump into one of the most exciting parts of starting a new firm – how did you get your first client who was not a friend or family?
My first client was a baseball players wife, I was so nervous. She hired me to organize their master closet and I showed up exuberant and as prepared as I could be. She had seen my first ever Facebook post about my business. As a busy mom of two, she needed an extra hand to help jumpstart her decluttering. The process took only four hours, and seeing her happiness after the job was completed, really encouraged me to pursue this as a full time business.
Calyn, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I started realizing, at a very young age, my gift for organizing. As the 8th child of 13, we had a lot of clothes, rooms, furniture etc. I relished my position of the director of furniture, distinguishing the better areas for the clothes and hundreds of shoes, and designing the layout of the home. As I got older, my siblings- older and younger- would come to me for help with design or decluttering. It grew me into what I am today. Today I provide three main services: staging, organizing, and interior design. I believe what sets me apart from others is my efficiency and attitude. My efficiency comes from years of practice of cleaning quickly and learning the best and quickest methods of going about issues that arise. My attitude comes from the joy of my salvation in Jesus Christ, and practicing peace and love in all situations. My relationship with Jesus grants me bounds of patience and joy! The main thing I want someone to take away from meeting me, or using my services, is that it IS possible, it is going to be completed well, and for them to be inspired for the future of their home and happiness.
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
Being a genuine person. Most people have good intuition. If you are genuine and trustworthy, that gets you farther than solely a job well done. People will always remember how you treated them and spoke, and currently word of mouth is a wonderful way of gaining clientele. Once you make a change in someone’s heart and home, they remember you and want to share the gift of feeling at peace in their own space.
How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?
I grew up working in my family’s business, and our family business was pizza! Originally we, all thirteen of us alongside our parents, took on the rolls of servers, cooks, cashier, and manager. As I got older and more ambitious, I started serving at local restaurants and cafés as well. Saving was easy, and I put all my money and energy towards the business I had in mind.
Contact Info:
- Website: 817design.com
- Instagram: Eightseventeen_817
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083005141008&mibextid=LQQJ4d