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

Jolin, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

It was 2015, and I had been living in New York City for three years. I knew I didn’t want to be an actor anymore, but I didn’t know what my next big career move was going to be. My best friends husband was offered a job out in California. She asked if I wanted to do a cross-country road trip to help them move out there. Having very little life plan and an incredibly free schedule, I thought what the heck, why not! We hopped in the car and drove from Cincinnati, Ohio through the mountains all the way to San Jose, California. The most ridiculous adventure of my life, but that’s a story for another day lol

When we arrived, we assumed that her husband, having already been there for a month, would’ve unpacked some of their things and settled in. Turns out he had been living off of two pairs of underwear and a plastic fork for four weeks! As they proceeded to get in quite the squabble, I said, “guys don’t worry about it. I got this!” Over the course of the next 12 hours, I managed to unpack every single box. I had art on the walls and food cooking in the kitchen. My friend was like,” Jolin, this is what you should be doing! All the unpacking-you get weirdly excited about it and everyone else in the world hates it. It’s like this strange secret superpower. This is what you should be doing in life!” I said, “is that a job?” She wisely responded, “everything‘s a job in New York City.”

Upon returning from California and doing some research, I learned that low and behold it wasn’t just a job. It was a budding industry that had been sitting under my nose the entire time. I knew there was something to this idea of professional organizing. It was my opportunity to share this random yet very useful skill I had and it could genuinely help people. What an opportunity.

I quickly landed a part time job as an organizing assistant for a small company called Appleshine. I observed how she interacted with her clients, picked product and the ins and outs of the business. After six months, I thought, I can do this. I built my own website, started an Instagram page and in 2016, Sage Organization & Design was off to the races.

Ever since then, I’ve been honing my craft organizing some of the most lavish luxury apartments and brownstones in New York. When I started, professional organizing was not as prominent as it is today. There were no viral IG reels or Amazon stores to peddle product. It was just me, the skills I was born with and a passion for creating serene, exquisitely organized spaces that help people live a peaceful life at home with their loved ones. It’s such an incredible gift be able to share the knowledge I’ve gained. That moment after a big reveal of a newly organized space, to see my client’s shoulders literally drop and take a huge sigh of relief, thats the moment that makes it all worth it!

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.

As a professional home organizer, I create bespoke organizational systems, tailored to every client’s home. In New York City, everyone’s spaces are so different. Everyone’s stuff is so different. We create systems that speak to each unique client’s lifestyle and needs.

With a background in closet design and as a brand ambassador for The Container Store, I have unique set of credentials. I know every bin basket and random closet solution to solve any spatial problem in someone’s home.

I am most proud of building a company from the ground up. My inspiration came from my mother, who was also a small business owner. She opened her own clothing store at just 21 years old and continued her entrepreneurial journey until she retired in her late 60s. She is an incredible role model, demonstrating what it means to be independent and exceptional in her field. Following her example, I have persevered and succeeded in one of the most competitive cities in the United States, and that is something I take great pride in.

I feel so accomplished in the work I do because I genuinely care about the outcome of every single project. For me, it’s not just about creating beautiful custom systems—it’s about changing lives. I strive to develop systems that provide my clients with not only functional and aesthetically pleasing solutions but also restores precious time and mental clarity, especially in a city that seldom offers respite. I believe that my dedication to detail and my commitment to delivering truly transformative results set me apart. My goal is always to ensure that my clients feel supported and understood, knowing that I am as invested in their success and well-being as they are.

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

In 2017, about a year into my company, I was contacted by a mildly famous C-list reality television star to help organize their studio apartment. I remember the excitement when I got the voicemail at 6:30 in the morning—I almost dropped my phone out of bed! Working with this person, I was so starstruck that I learned a valuable lesson the hard way about contracts and negotiation. I was incredibly naïve about valuing my work, the services I provide, and ensuring people uphold their end of verbal agreements. They ended up taking advantage of my time, generosity, and services. Although I eventually got them to uphold their end of the bargain, it took considerable effort and persistence on my part. From that experience, I learned to NEVER agree to any work or service exchange without a signed agreement or terms sheet.

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

I’ve found that the most fruitful source of new clients for me has been expanding my understanding of complementary industries and actively networking within them. Over the past year, I’ve developed closer working relationships with closet designers, interior designers, and realtors. One of the most valuable pieces of advice I ever received regarding networking was to initiate conversations by focusing on what I can offer the other person. This approach not only opened doors but also fosters a sense of mutual benefit. When both parties are committed to supporting each other, everyone wins!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sageorganization.com
• Instagram: @sageorganization
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jolin-polasek-1b7bb839

Image Credits

Travis Emery (photos of me)

I took all other photos.