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

Michelle, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Naming anything – including a business – is so hard. Right? What’s the story behind how you came up with the name of your brand?

The name Magic by Michelle originated from my very first client. Sharon was kind enough to allow me to organize her basement office and craft space, as well as her first grade classroom, in an effort to help me collect the before and after pictures, client testimonial and confidence I needed to begin building my portfolio as a professional organizer. Sharon and I worked side-by-side for several days organizing her space, and during that time, she kept calling me “Magic Michelle,” commending me for my ideas and giving me confidence in my skill and ability. When we were finished with her space, Sharon proudly looked around and exclaimed I had “worked my magic.” Thus, Magic by Michelle was born.

Sharon’s testimonial can be found below:
“Michelle (of Magic by Michelle) is absolutely the best person to work with you to accomplish your organizational goals! Her unique approach allowed me to face some very big and scary piles of clutter without feeling shamed or embarrassed. Michelle’s warm and caring personality combined with her natural ability to see beyond the clutter and envision a system for sorting, making decisions, and even safeguarding treasured items, will amaze you! Thank you, Michelle! You truly are Magical!”

Michelle, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Years ago, I graduated with a business degree and went to work full-time at a job that didn’t light me up because I thought that’s what I was “supposed to do.” During that time, I felt my creative energy and hope depleting, and I struggled daily with anxiety. After three years of not showing up as my authentic self, I decided enough was enough. I quit my job, hired a career coach and got to work figuring out who I was and what I wanted.

I knew I had to be doing something I was truly passionate about in order to feel fulfillment, I knew I wanted an active job that was new and exciting every day, and I also knew I wanted to help people and to see that impact immediately, but there wasn’t an obvious answer — yet. One day, in June 2021, my career coach asked me if I’d seen The Home Edit TV show on Netflix. I told her I hadn’t heard of it, but that I’d check it out. I binged the entire season in one day. I was hooked. Not only did I find out organizing as a career was in fact a thing, I knew in my soul, with every fiber of my being, that professional organizing is what I wanted to do.

The following month, in July 2021, I founded Magic by Michelle LLC and began helping clients in the Denver area tackle the chaos in their homes, and I haven’t looked back. Creating order from chaos lights me up. Helping people find the light at the end of their tunnel motivates and inspires me. My brain just works this way. Every organization project is a puzzle, and I love figuring it all out. Plus, I feel good about the work I do because I know I’m making a direct positive impact on my client’s lives.

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

The most effective strategy for growing my clientele is definitely in-person networking. In business, there are going to be so many others who do what you do, so the sooner you realize YOU are the secret sauce, the better. As a natural introvert, I will be the first to admit that networking isn’t my favorite activity. Getting dressed up to mingle in a room full of strangers is daunting, and it probably always will be, but I’ve learned in order to be a successful business owner, you have to push yourself out of your comfort zone, do it scared, and find what works best for you. People buy from who they know, like and trust, so putting yourself out there in a positive light is a must.

Last February, I discovered SHE Leads Group here in Denver, and that completely changed the networking game for me. Prior to finding SHE, I was a member of two networking groups that weren’t doing it for me personally or professionally. I went to the meetings and happy hours, but I didn’t find myself forming connections or getting leads, most likely because I felt super awkward and out of place. For starters, I was one of few women in the group, I was the youngest person, I was new to Colorado, and I was representing my own small business, not a large company. Talk about imposter syndrome!

After a chance encounter with a kind woman at The UPS Store, I went to a SHE Leads Group meeting to see if this group was a better fit for me. After a single meeting, I knew I found the leads group for me. SHE stands for “Supporting Heart and Enterprise” and that is exactly what this group is all about. Not only do we get the opportunity to network with 100+ women in the Denver area, there are professional development trainings, community service opportunities, social gatherings, as well as countless leads for your business.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I was always told to keep working hard in school so I could earn my college degree and get a high paying job, and then I would be happy. In 2018, I graduated with a MBA and started scouring Indeed for the highest paying job I could get with my shiny new degree. I eventually decided to pursue marketing and operations in the tech industry. For two years, I worked in a fancy co-working space in my fishbowl of an office, I attended meetings, I built websites, I ran social media accounts… and I was miserable.

I didn’t understand. I had crossed this incredible finish line when I got my degree and landed this gig, but somehow, I wasn’t happy. I began to think my education was a waste because this whole corporate thing wasn’t doing it for my soul, and I felt depressed. I thought moving to a new state might help give us a fresh start, so my husband and I moved to Colorado in 2020. Again, I found myself scouring Indeed to see what corporate box I could fit myself into and be the least miserable. I jumped at an opportunity to be Operations Coordinator for a HOA in fancy neighborhood in Arvada and lasted a couple of months before I realized yet again, my soul felt trapped and this was not a good fit, despite the paycheck and benefits.

After that whole debacle, I started working with a career coach to help me figure out what direction to take. After interviewing friends, family, former bosses and colleagues, the general consensus was that I’m organized, I’m efficient, and I’m a good problem solver, but I don’t thrive under a rigid corporate structure where my creativity is stifled for the sake of profit. At that point, I knew I needed to be running my own business, but doing what?

My career coach asked me if I’d seen The Home Edit TV show on Netflix. I told her I hadn’t heard of it, but that I’d check it out. I binged the entire season in one day. I was hooked. Not only did I find out organizing as a career was in fact a thing, I knew in my soul, with every fiber of my being, that professional organizing is what I wanted to do. It was a total game changer realizing that I don’t need a fancy job with a fancy title in a fancy building to be happy. I need PASSION for what I’m doing. They say do what you love and the money will follow. Becoming an entrepreneur was something I never imagined for myself, but sometimes The Universe guides you and helps you pivot when you need it most.

Contact Info:

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