Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lauren Cunningham. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Lauren thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Your ability to build a team is often a key determinant of your success as a business owner and so we’d love to get a conversation going with successful entrepreneurs like yourself around what your recruiting process was like -especially early on. How did you build your team?

For the first two years I was in business, it was just me, wearing all of the hats! In year two I got to the point where I was working 5 days a week in clients’ homes and I was exhausted. I knew this wasn’t sustainable. And it wasn’t what was best for my clients. Because what took me 3 days to finish, could have taken a team of 3 just one day to complete. In and out in one day. So that became my ideal model. Always quote clients the number of team members needed to complete their space in just one day.

But I had no idea where to start. So I took an online course, I listened to podcasts, I educated myself on how to hire and create a team.

Some of the team members I’ve found have stuck around long-term; others were just for a season. But my favorite tip that I still use today is this. When someone wants to apply for the job, I have an auto-reponse email that asks them to complete a free personality test and email me their personality type after. It has nothing to do with the personality type they are. The whole point is to see if they are organized, good communicators, and can follow simple directions in a timely manner. All qualities that I greatly value in a team member. And you would be shocked at how many people can’t complete this one, simple step.

If I were starting again now, knowing what I know, I would have built a team much quicker. I think my business would have grown faster and I would have avoided the initial burnout I felt.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Everyday Organize is a team of women who organize both homes & businesses in the Kansas City Metro. We consider every aspect of your space – what isn’t working, what is working, and how we can make your day-to-day function smoother. Throughout the process, we offer services such as space planning, specific product recommendations & systems to improve your life, decluttering, donation haul-away, unpacking from a move, and full organizing & styling services.

I got into professional organizing by just starting somewhere. I organized for free for family & friends. All I asked was that I could use the before and after photos. Then after a few months, I created a website and social media account – I started posting photos of my work and suddenly people began reaching out to me for paid jobs.

I’m most proud of the quality of work we do in Kansas City. Not only are we creating beautiful, organized spaces for families all over KC. Spaces they can keep up themselves long after we leave. But we are helping our clients reduce their stress, helping them enjoy the spaces they spend all their time in. And the best part, our clients don’t have to even be present for most of the organizing process – we do the heavy lifting and hard work for you.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

When I first started the business, we didn’t get any leads from Google. But eventually I took a training that taught me the importance of the Google Business Profile and posting “updates” on there regularly. So I created an account and starting posting updates 1-2 times/week – and these updates cost me nothing. Two years later, almost every single lead we receive comes from Google now. And that’s without even paying for Google Ads.

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

We now use a CRM system called Dubsado for all of our client communication and invoicing. Through Dubsado, we have been able to create a workflow where we can plan touch points with each client – throughout the life of the organize – and long after – to stay in touch. I’ve noticed that those emails will generate repeat business from clients as we remind them we are still here, and they have additional spaces or maintenance needs.

For clients that refer a friend to us, I always send a handwritten thank you with a $25 Amazon gift card.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.everydayorganize.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everydayorganize
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/everydayorganize/

Image Credits

None – all taken by me.