We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jakia Muhammad a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Jakia, thanks for joining us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

I remember being in middle school and we were given a task to write down four goals on popsicle sticks. While I can’t recall each goal that was written, I do remember writing a goal of being my own boss! Even at that young age, I recognized that I was meant to carve out my own path. So, I would have to say that was the starting point of this journey. Fast forward to college and post-graduation, I forgot about that goal and started working because I had bills and student loans to pay. However, I will say that every position I have ever held has allowed me to lead and manage in my own way because I believe my supervisors knew that I was innately equipped to handle every aspect of the role. I’ve been a Program Coordinator for a local agency that provided care to older adults so that strengthened my level of empathy and compassion. I’ve been an Executive Assistant where I excelled and as a result was promoted to an Operations Coordinator and in that role for four years – that really allowed me to display my strong organizational skills. And then lastly, for the last 10 years, I was a Program Manager, who was responsible for creating and streamlining processes and systems.

When I reflect back on those held positions, I realized how they played an essential role in shaping me to become an entrepreneur and launching my Organizing Consulting business, SoleOrganizer, LLC. I launched my business in 2015 at the height of many businesses popping up on social media – particularly Instagram. I also knew of someone who had quit their 9-5 and was doing what they love and that sparked something within me to create my own business. I’m a big believer in energy and diving timing and what I mean by that is my business name came to me when I was driving – it was a literal download from out of nowhere. The name that came to me was SoleOrganizer because it honors both of my Grandmothers Sonja + Lena by combining their first two initials. They’re both Virgos and every Virgo I know is very detail-oriented and my moon sign is also in Virgo. Now, I’m not here to convince anyone about astrology but when I did my research on what it means to have a moon sign in Virgo – systems, organization, and order kept showing up which definitely describes me. And then the word ‘sole’ means the ‘only one’ and while there are other amazing women who work in this space, there’s only one me that has my style, creativity, and personality.

I think when I started out, I didn’t know how far I would go with the business. If I’m being honest, I was very naïve and thought once I created my business page on Instagram then all these people would be come flocking to me for my services (haha). But I quickly learned that wasn’t the case. But I knew that this business was worthwhile is when clients would be amazed and taken aback by how tidy and organized their space looked after I worked my magic. It was their reaction to seeing their space in a totally different way that they never could have imagined. Organization is not new but over the last couple of years it has been in the mainstream media. And what I find so exciting about my business is that there are no rules! As long as the focus is always organization, I love that I get to create services and resources to help people who are looking to become organized!

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.

I got into the organizing industry because I love organization and how it makes me feel. I feel calmer, grounded, and less stressed when my surroundings are in order. And honestly, I just wanted to do something that I enjoy while also helping others in the process. I know that social media has shown a light on the organizing industry and there are many videos circulating on the internet showcasing fridge and snack restocks (which is aesthetically pleasing) but organization is deeper than that. That’s why I call myself a consultant because not only do I provide organizing services where I transform clients’ homes; but my business also has an education component where I host workshops (virtual + in-person) discussing the science of organization. For example, I came across a study that said “61% of women who have a hard time finding anything in their closet end up buying new clothes (OnePoll Survery).” You know what that says to me as an Organizing Consultant? That tells me that their is a lack of organizational systems within their space making it challenging to easily view what they have. Therefore, their closet space has to be assessed, their habits and lifestyle has to be assessed, and then a custom plan and organizational systems have to be created to combat those challenges. So, that’s what I mean when I say that it’s deeper than the aesthetics because you have to get to the root of the problem first.

I believe that organization is therapeutic, a form of self-care, or as I like to say it is good for your SOLE. I mean just reflect back to a time where you entered a space it may have been cluttered, restrictive, and cramped. How did your energy or body react to that space? Now think back to a time where you entered into a space that was open, orderly, and you could easily view everything? How did your energy or body react to that? I’m sure there was a stark difference in how your energy shifted to the two spaces because energy doesn’t lie. Our bodies, our energy can pick up good and bad energy especially if it stems from our belongings. And this is why I feel organization is so important. I help clients transform their energy within their space by guiding them along the way to sort through their items. After the sorting process is complete, then I create an organized setup specific to my clients and whenever I reveal the new space to them, the response is always how much lighter they feel. And that makes me happy because it means I have done my job.

I am most proud that I created a business that truly has helped transform people’s lives. I didn’t grow up in a family of entrepreneurs or anyone who talked about business and I had no clue what it meant to operate a business. However, my mother always told me that I could be and do anything that I put my mind to and I figured it along the way.

I would like potential clients to know that when they invest in my services they are going to receive results! I am their accountability partner, I provide a listening ear, I offer compassion & understanding, and most importantly no judgement. As an Organizing Consultant, I’ve seen a multitude of spaces in disarray but I don’t judge because life can be hard and there’s so much that must be managed. Honestly, now that I’m an adult and have my own space and life, I cannot fathom how my mother, Grandmothers, and aunts managed to run a household, work, and nurture their family yet made it look effortless when I know it was a lot. So, I find myself speaking to clients and potential clients that there’s no need to feel ashamed or even apologize for how their space looks because I’m here to change that.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I have invested in business coaches/consultants and have listened to much of their advice on podcasts and online. And I will say that much of what they have shared made sense; but I started to become really overwhelmed with the wealth of information I was seeing on what you should do in your business and how you do it – that it just started to tire me out.

This may seem funny but I can be oxymoron at times because while I like order and systems, I don’t particularly enjoy routines, I am more creative at night than in the morning, I am goofy, I am unapologetically Black and love Black culture – and I just wanted to be ME within my business and have fun and wasn’t seeing that narrative being pushed. i know that structure is important when operating a business and I have those basics in place but if I’m not having fun then that translates into me not enjoying what I’m doing which then could impact how I show up for my clients.

So, I had to unlearn that it’s okay not follow every piece of business advice that was being shared. I had to really go within, trust myself, and figure it out on my own. I started creating workshops, services, and products that reflected my personality and what I had the capacity to take on. This made it easier for me to show up in my business because I was having fun in the process. Success is relative and looks different for everyone. I don’t desire too be filthy rich but I do desire to create a life where I’m comfortable and my loved ones are comfortable because finances aren’t an issue. I don’t desire to have 4-5 cars – that’s not my style, 2 would be sufficient, I don’t even desire to be well-known. However, I do desire to make an everlasting imprint on those who are ready and willing to become organized and make an impact in that manner.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

My best source for acquiring new clients has been Instagram and word of mouth. I am also not above putting myself in places where I believe my ideal client would be. I believe in shooting your shot which means I have DM’d, emailed, and just have reached out to other entrepreneurs who are parallel to my industry to collaborate. I think social media is a great tool and an introduction for people to get to know you but I’m also not afraid to get out there and speak directly to people.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.soleorganizer.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soleorganizer/?hl=en
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SoleOrganizer.6

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