We recently connected with Sara Bennett and have shared our conversation below.

Sara, appreciate you joining us today. Parents play a huge role in our development as youngsters and sometimes that impact follows us into adulthood and into our lives and careers. Looking back, what’s something you think you parents did right?

My dad really focused on optimism and “choosing to wake up on the right side of the bed.” I also think he had high expectations but was never overly critical. I have been a type-A perfectionist from the time I can remember, so my mom would say, “be easy with yourself” to quiet my inner-critic. My dad was always super expressive about how much he loved us and how proud he was. Even though we had a really big family, he always showed up to everything he could even though he was working full-time and stretched thin. My mom was a teacher (my second-grade teacher), so she instilled a love of learning and neither parent got annoyed at my incessant curiosity and precocious nature. As well, my dad pushed me to be independent but provided help and support when I asked. While my dad was strict, I think I needed those boundaries and would have gotten in more mischief if I didn’t have an early curfew.

I knew I wanted to be a teacher from the time I was in high school. In eighth grade, my parents had me do a cool thing: I job shadowed. I spent a day shadowing in an ER watching a doctor triage. I spent a day at a veterinary clinic. I had a big heart for animals and thought that’s what I wanted to do. I was into science and I got to see a Rottweiler spayed and was fascinated. However, the last thing I saw was a cat euthanized and I was over being a veterinarian.

I come from a long line of educators. My grandfather was a professor at Duke and the head of the college of education at USF. My grandmother wrote a book called “Awakening the Sleeping Giant” about teacher leaders. My other grandfather was also the dean of a local college and I think being surrounded by all that played a role in pursuing teaching. I think my parents felt like I could do anything. My dad probably kicks himself that I didn’t take over his law firm or attend Ohio State University, but he always let me, do me. My step-mom thought I should be on TV because I have the gift of gab, but I feel I can use that gift in the classroom. I love teaching, but one thing teaching doesn’t give you is instant gratification – especially in the high school setting. I was looking for something outside the classroom that could provide gratification and use my other skills. In 2020 when everything changed, I took all these lessons and my skills and started my own business. My dad helped me get my LLC and I was off to the races.

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

I’m Sara, I am a professional organizer, a wife & a mom of two little boys in Columbus, Ohio. I am a person who loves to help others. I work with people to create a residential space that is more usable. I see the bigger picture with a fresh set of eyes, helping my clients improve their productivity to save time and money. If you are in need of a better system, I am your girl!

What sets me apart is that I have a little bit of background in psychology, so I think of myself as a therapist, a cleaning lady, and a coach in a cocktail shaker. I work hard but I hope we have a lot of laughs. Downsizing or saying goodbye to your items can be emotional and I totally respect that.

I’m proud of the relationships I build with my clients and the results we create together, so I offer in person and virtual appointments and I do give a little bit of homework (I am a former teacher after all). I also provide shredding and donating services. I am really intentional about where I donate items. I pick specific nonprofits that align with my values like Dress For Success. When I donate women’s clothing it goes to empowering those in need. My clients feel better saying goodbye to their clothing when they know it is going to this awesome organization.

I call this business Ananda (आनन्द) because it is a Sanskrit word for joy and bliss. This is what I hope you bring into your home through this process. Professional organizing – but with a Zen twist!

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

What an excellent prompt. I started to have unexplained weakness in my right (dominant hand) in March 2022. After months of testing and doctors’ visits, I had spinal surgery in October of that year hoping this would alleviate my progressive symptoms. Unfortunately, things continued to get worse. In March of this year, I was diagnosed with ALS which is a fatal neurodegenerative disease. With a heavy heart, I retired from teaching this spring and very much had to rethink how I am going to continue to work and earn an income. After speaking with one of my best friends, I realized I needed to pivot.

This week we are rebranding The Ananda Edit to The Ananda Pivot. Sometimes in order to have joy you have to shift gears and examine what you had done before. For example, as I become more and more disabled I have actually had a lot of fun finding adaptive tools that help maintain my independence. My new Amazon marketplace will not just contain my favorite organization items, but also links to these resources in hopes that those having similar challenges can make life easier for themselves. As well, I have always been social, but one of the hardest parts of this disease is the gradual loss of one’s voice. So, the Ananda Pivot will hopefully give me an opportunity to talk about anything until I can’t anymore.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I grew up with five siblings. We were a very close blended-family – loud and full of laughter. My older sister and I were only a year apart and close growing-up. She always struggled with depression and issues of self-worth. In 2018, she took her life and it was extremely unexpected for everyone in my family. She had had years of financial success, was medicated, and in therapy.

Up to that point that was by far the most challenging and awful thing that had happened to me or anyone I knew. I never really thought of myself as resilient before she died, but now I feel more resilient. People are really uncomfortable talking about suicide and there is still a huge stigma talking about mental health. Taking my family’s pain and making it purposeful my family started a nonprofit called 33 Forever in honor of Danielle, my sister, which provides money for research and to support those like Dani. I think that loss reinforced the importance of vulnerability and authenticity in my own life and I hope that by modeling that I can encourage others to be themselves.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.anandaedit.com/
• Instagram: @theanandaedit
• Facebook: The Ananda Edit

Image Credits
@BigHousePhotography (Instagram)