Suggest a Story: CanvasRebel is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Teresa Dinneen a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Teresa, thanks for joining us today. Do you wish you had waited to start your own firm or do you wish you had started sooner?

I think about this often and 100% wish I had started my company sooner than I did. Before starting I wanted everything, from my website to social media to my back end systems to be perfect before starting. Which I now realize is far less important than the actual service I was providing. I knew what I was doing, but was scared to fully immerse myself into the business so made excuses that the ‘business side’ of things wasn’t ready. Oh how wrong I was. That comes with the trial and error of each new client and project and has changed along the way. So yes, I wish I had spend less time on the back end and started doing what I love, the organization much sooner.

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

Yes, as a kid I was the one that organized my closet and the tupperware drawer, just for fun.

Now, after multiple careers with leading fashion brands like J Brand and TOMS, I launched Lifestyled in 2017. It was after having two kids and wanting to do what I love, and also have the flexibility to be with my kids that this hobby became a company.

I may not be flying off to New York for seasonal trade shows anymore and because of my kids my house may not be as organized as I want it to be. But what I have created is a company whose goal is to rid you of the clutter that is negatively affecting your life. To teach you how to edit and organize your spaces to create more time and energy to do what you love, where you love.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Prior to starting Lifestyled I worked in the fashion industry for 20+ years. Therefore my first business plan was strictly closet organization and styling. The goal was to edit and organize clients and then style and shop for them, filling in key pieces missing from their wardrobe. It worked and clients loved the service. Yet, the more closets I organized the more clients would ask if I could organize more rooms in their home. The styling services soon took a backseat to the organizing. That is when I shifted the focus of Lifestyled and started offering organization services for all rooms in the home, full move-in services and even seasonal maintenance offerings.

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

Referrals, referrals and referrals. I cannot thank my clients enough for referring me to their friends and family. It is the biggest compliment to me and my team and I truly have the best clients in the world and so grateful to be able to help them declutter and organize their home and lives

Contact Info:

• Website: www.itslifestyled.com
• Instagram: @teresa.lifestyled
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teresa.lifestyled
• Other: Pinterest – https://www.pinterest.com/teresa_lifestyled/

Image Credits
Charlotte Lea Photography – www.charlottelea.com