We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Laura Ellis. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Laura below.

Laura, appreciate you joining us today. Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?

Absolutely, I am excited to be here and always thrilled to talk about the nitty gritty, which is actually my favorite part! For me, organizing has always been a bit of a family affair —my mom and I used to tackle organizing projects over the weekends, finding joy in sorting out everything from the kitchen drawers to the linen closet. It was our idea of fun! Living in New York City, where every square inch counts, my knack for neatness didn’t go unnoticed. Friends and family were constantly dropping by, amazed at how I could make even the tiniest apartment seem spacious, and soon enough, they were asking for my help to whip their own spaces into shape. After moving to Los Angeles, I discovered that organizing isn’t just a hobby but a legitimate career, my interest in turning this passion into a profession really sparked. However, the safety of a steady paycheck held me back—at least initially. Curiosity got the better of me, and I started to dive deep into the organizing industry, exploring how professional organizers turned chaos into order and made a living out of it.

Then, life threw a curveball my way. I was laid off after 11 years with the same company, walking out with a box of personal mementos. When I called my boyfriend—now my husband—to break the news, his response was a surprising, “Congratulations!” And honestly? It felt right. “Now you can finally start your business,” he said. It was as if the universe itself was giving me a nudge, or maybe a friendly kick, telling me it was time to stop dreaming and start doing. So, that’s exactly what I did.

Laura, 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?

Sure! I’m Laura Ellis and I have an organizing addiction, haha! I mean, I am a Professional Organizer and I absolutely adore organizing—it’s something I’d happily do even if I weren’t being paid (but let’s keep that between us and not tell my clients!). There’s nothing quite like taking a cluttered, chaotic space and transforming it into something beautifully organized. It’s like magic! Each time I see a space go from mess to magnificence, I fall in love with what I do all over again.

At Organized by Ellis, we offer a variety of top-notch organizing services, each tailored to meet the unique needs and lifestyles of our clients. Everyone’s looking for something different, and that’s exactly what we deliver—a customized experience that perfectly aligns with their goals and supports their daily life.

We’re also big on move coordination. Whether it’s packing and unpacking for a remodel or organizing from scratch for a brand-new home build, we handle it all. Our goal is to sort, streamline, and create easy-to-maintain systems, ensuring that when clients settle back into their spaces, everything is exactly where it should be—simple and sensible.

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 used to think that to succeed in starting my own business, everything had to be spot on from the start—the perfect name, the ideal website, flawless business cards, and impeccable branding. However, I quickly learned that’s a recipe for never getting off the ground. As a recovering perfectionist, I had to embrace that it’s okay not to have everything perfect. In fact, striving for perfection right out of the gate isn’t just unrealistic; it’s unnecessary.

Take my website, for example. Initially, I agonized over getting it just right. Back then, the DIY resources weren’t as abundant as they are today. Now, you can set up a polished website quickly, a far cry from the early days. Yet, what’s crucial to remember is that your business will evolve. What you launch with on day one will likely be very different after just six months. The business grows, shifts, and finds its true path, so investing too much time, energy, and resources into crafting the perfect website or branding upfront doesn’t make sense, especially for a service-oriented business like ours. It’s about progress over perfection, and adapting as you grow.

Can you share one of your favorite marketing or sales stories?

Yes, this gets me fired up. At the beginning of my business, venturing into the realm of luxury home services, I was all in on attracting high-end clients. However, my first high-end consultation was a real test. Imagine walking through a $30 million home, trying to convince the owner that I was the right person for the job. Despite my skills and confidence in my abilities, selling myself was a whole different challenge. Needless to say, the consultation didn’t go as planned—I was nervous, unsure, and it showed.

Driving home, feeling defeated, I thought I had squandered a golden opportunity. But then, my entrepreneurial spirit wouldn’t let me give up without a fight. I picked up the phone and called the client back. I admitted that I hadn’t been at my best and asked for another chance to prove myself. To my relief, she agreed.

Returning with renewed determination, the second meeting went wonderfully, and she became not just a client but one of my longest-standing clients. This experience taught me an invaluable lesson: never be afraid to put yourself out there and fight for what you want. Sometimes, a second chance is all you need to turn a setback into a success.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://organizedbyellis.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/organizedbyellis/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OrganizedbyEllis/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/organizedbyellis/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeYVZMV_01OnPi44hSgC6hA

Image Credits
Chris Loupos