We recently connected with Jessica Terenyi and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Jessica , thanks for joining us today. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?
I first thought to start my own professional organizing business in late 2010 (when I was pregnant with my now 12-year-old daughter!). Fast forward to January 2020 and the light bulb went off again. I started to search professional organizing groups on Facebook and came across a group called Jumpstart to be a Professional Organizer. I joined the group and started working with the Admin, Beth Spiroff, who coached women to start their own professional organizing businesses.
Beth provided me the tools, resources, and guidance to get my business up and running. However, I needed to do my part to research business laws and regulations here in Maryland. I established my professional organizing business, JK Organizing LLC, the following month in February 2020. At the time I was working full-time as a surgical assistant for a group of oral surgeons. My first paid client was in June 2020 and by July 2020 I resigned as a surgical assistant and started my business full-time in August 2020.
My journey has been full of highs and lows as there is much to learn as an entrepreneur. While working with my clients I discovered the need to support them further with their inner world. So I joined the Health Coach Institute in April 2021 and was Certified as a Life & Health Coach in November 2021. However, I hit a scarcity space and dropped to part-time in my business in August 2021. I took on a full-time position as a nanny for one of my clients from August 2021 to December 2021 and finally returned to business full-time in January 2022.
January 2022 was a year of learning and growth. I dug deeper into my networking communities, attended a variety of networking events, had a feature article in Baltimore Real Producers, I was interviewed, I wrote articles, I spoke on podcasts, and started to collaborate with other business owners. I kept the momentum going with my training through the health coach institute as well. I took it a level deeper and was Certified as a Transformational Coach in July 2022.
I currently serve my clients in person by guiding them through sorting, purging, organizing, and laying out spaces in their homes. I also offer organizing and coaching virtually through a 1:1 or group setting through my Organizing Homes & Lives 90-Day Coaching Program. In addition to serving my clients, I give back my time as a Volunteer Coordinator for the Life of Joy Foundation. “Fostering a holistic approach to mental health and suicide prevention.” I also volunteer with the Love Wins Movement through my church, The Church at Severn Run.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I have always been creative, neat, and tidy. I simply love to organize. I guide my clients through the process of sorting, purging, organizing, and laying out the spaces in their homes to include garages, basements, and attics too. Organizing goes beyond the physical clutter so I also serve my clients through coaching their mindset around their physical clutter. Creating a healthier mindset and doing the internal work supports the external environment. I provide my clients with the tools and resources to succeed in the spaces in their homes.
I think what sets me apart from most professional organizers is coaching. I don’t personally know of many organizers who help their clients beyond their physical clutter. I am most proud of the work I do alongside my clients and their personal transformation stories. Many of my clients are going through life transitions such as moving, new baby, divorce, etc. These life transitions can flip our environments upside-down and inside-out. I love providing my clients with a new perspective on their thoughts and their home environments.
SERVICES:
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZING
Organizing services are packaged to include everything required to complete your organizing project for your home. Services include hands-on decluttering, sorting, purging, and organizing. It also includes a customized organizing plan, time spent shopping for recommended supplies (cost for supplies not included), space planning, hauling of donations and/or arrangements for pick up, and communication between sessions.
LIFE & ORGANIZING COACHING
Life & organizing coaching includes 12-weekly sessions (virtual) in a 1:1 or group setting, curated information, custom coaching exercises, accountability through action steps, and communication between sessions.
I love to support my clients above and beyond our time together. I consider my clients to be a part of my extended family. I also love to be active in giving back to my community through volunteer work. I support two nonprofits – Life of Joy Foundation and Love Wins Movement. Life of Joy focuses on a holistic approach to mental health and suicide prevention while “Love Wins Movement is dedicated to loving people well and to meeting the needs of our local community.”
I am most excited for my upcoming Ribbon Cutting on March 1st to celebrate my 3 year business anniversary (actual date 2/27). I also look forward to continuing to grow, learn, and build relationships for a healthier, happier, and stronger community.
What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?
The best source of new clients for me has been through networking. I love to make new connections and nurture my current connections. I love to be out and about at events to support my business as well as other businesses. It takes a community to build a community.
Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?
I am always looking to grow and learn within my business. I love to read books and listen to podcasts. Some of the books and podcasts that have most impacted my entrepreneurial journey are as follows:
The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy and You are a Badass at Making Money by Jen Sincero. I was never the greatest with finances growing up. I am still continuing to grow and learn in this space. It has been helpful to learn how to shift my perspective around money. Additionally, I enjoyed and found value in reading The 5 Second Rule by Mel Robbins and listening to her Audible exclusive Reinvent Your Life with Mel Robbins.
Practically Well podcast, because we need to be healthy ourselves to be able to pour into our business and The Mel Robbins Podcast, because her tools and research.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://organizinghomesandlives.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jkorganizingllc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jkorganizingllc
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jkorganizingllc/
- Twitter: N/A
- Youtube: N/A
- Yelp: N/A
- Other: https://linktr.ee/jkorganizingllc
Image Credits
All photos (excluding logo): Tia Bottum, Owner of TimeMarker Photography