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

Shannon, appreciate you joining 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.

In January 2020, I was in a waiting room with my daughter, thumbing through a Real Simple magazine and happened upon an article written by a professional organizer and it was like a brick dropped on my head. I didn’t know this was a “thing” let alone a profession; I nudged my daughter and she said, “Oh, mom!”, meaning it would be perfect for me.

I was in a funk personally and professionally after working most of my adult life for my father’s business then quickly failing in a job that wasn’t meant for me long-term. I’d never figured out nor found my own passion after deferring law school to help my father. This lit a personal fire within me to figure this organizing thing out. I went in feet first, not necessarily thinking about how or why this would work, only that it had to because I felt so strongly about finding something I fully felt I was meant to do.

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

In my daily life and therefore with my clients, I lead with empathy. Working with people in a vulnerable state, they’re sharing their homes and lives with me, isn’t something I take lightly. I want my clients to feel safe and that they’re in good hands. I’m not going to push someone past their limits while decluttering or purging, for instance. I work alongside them in this case while maybe gently offering an alternative way of thinking about the process.

I seek order and peace in my own home (and life) and I love creating this for clients. I think of one’s home as a refuge from the outside world and our interiors play a big role in how we feel externally (not to get too deep) but the phrase “outer order, inner calm” rings true. Transforming spaces in my client’s homes, allowing them a little peace and clarity, brings me so much satifaction.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I’ll never forget: it was the summer of 2021 and I was changing the sheets on my daughter’s bed while she was at a day camp and I was on the phone with my father. My business was slow and I just didn’t think I could do it any more, I was tired, scared , and my confidence was shot. With his encouragement, I just kept putting one foot in front of the other and I’m still here.

I don’t know where it comes from but I have a definite stick-to-it nature and after that moment, I bared down and was determined to keep going. I’ve had slow weeks and months since then and although I’m not a strong foot on the gas girl, I’m definitely not a press the brake person.

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

Definitely word of mouth and presence, meaning showing up at the right but unexpected time. Although I advertised in a local neighborhood publication for a few years and have purchased printed ads here and there, I never saw tangible results with more than a client or two. Although it increased my visibility in a somewhat saturated area, the yields were few.

I am not sales-y in the least and a fear I have is that people see me coming at an event and guard themselves thinking I’m going to pitch them my services. However, while volunteering at a school event a natural conversation led to my telling a mom about what I do for a living and a few weeks later, I was hired to pack and unpack her father for a move. This then led to (9 months later) running into said mom which reminded another school mom about what I do and she referred me to a pretty big and rewarding job. I think a little visibility and client referrals, along with repeat clients, are the most significant source of my income.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.holmanhope.com
• Instagram: @holman_hope_
• Facebook: /holmanhopehomeorganizing