Jamie Hord is the founder and CEO of Horderly Professional Organizing, a New York City-based In-Home organizing company with 30 employees and servicing 7 states. 

Horderly Professional Organizing is a group of magicians creating functional systems where space or clutter is an issue. Horderly has expanded across America to assist its clients in living a more streamlined, clutter-free, functional life - and that starts with an organized home. Horderly can organize any area - whether it’s completely unpacking and setting up your belongings from a move or simply the junk drawer in your kitchen - they will make you feel more in control!

Can you tell our readers about your background?

Since the age of 14, I have always been what some would call a workaholic. I’ve always loved working hard and being great at what I do - no matter what it was. That has always been important to me. Growing up in Ohio, I worked multiple jobs through high school and college, always in the hospitality industry. I worked all types of positions in restaurants and as a nurse’s aid. Before I moved to NYC and started Horderly, I was going to school for nursing. In the first few years I lived in NYC, I worked as a restaurant manager for Bobby Flay.

What inspired you to start your business? 

I grew up this way, very “neat freak” and OCD. Being inspired by organizing came easy but I never once in my life thought I would be running my own business. That definitely wasn’t the inspiration at first, but it quickly followed. My inspiration only grew and grew the more I got to see and understand how others can struggle with disorganization and I craved to help more and more. My husband, Fillip, also inspired me to take the leap of going full time and to keep going when I doubted myself. He now works full time for the business as well!

Where is your business based?

Horderly started in NYC. My husband Fillip and I live on Long Island but we have expanded across the U.S. and have teams based in New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, and Southern California. We also travel anywhere and offer virtual organizing services.

How did you start your business? What were the first steps you took?

The first step I took was researching the industry. I read a lot of organizing books and really dove into everything to see if it was the right path to take. There really wasn’t much information on the Professional Organizing business at the time, so I honestly had to learn a lot on my own. The next thing I did was create a business name and a website! The name came easy ;)

What has been the most effective way of raising awareness for your business?

Instagram has changed the world of business and I started posting regularly on our Horderly Instagram right in the beginning. When I started working with Instagram influencers, I really saw growth in Horderly followers, and clients came thereafter. 

What have been your biggest challenges and how did you overcome them?

Oh boy - I face challenges every day with owning a business with 30 employees and managing multiple jobs a day. I would say I overcome all challenges by leaning heavily on my team for all decisions! We are very strict on our hiring process -  each and every person on our team brings their own talent to the table - only making Horderly bigger and better! We are a big family.

How do you stay focused?

I am very work driven but I believe if you have a passion for what you do and find that “flow”, that is when you’ll naturally find focus as well.

How do you differentiate your business from the competition? 

I don’t think there is another organizing company out there that isn’t franchised with as big of a team. We are also very hands-on! Unlike some organizing consultants.

What has been your most effective marketing strategy to grow your business? 

Instagram has been huge for Horderly since day 1 (and it’s FREE marketing!) With all the perks that organizing has to bring - the visual part of it is addictive! Everyone loves a good before and after so having “the eye”  to take good photos is so crucial! 

What's your best piece of advice for aspiring and new entrepreneurs? 

Delegate! Do it all at first, to understand the in and outs but know when to delegate! It’s hard, but it’s only going to make you stronger in the end.

What's your favorite app, blog, and book? Why?

Favorite app: Instagram of course! Showing off our team’s amazing hard work, along with giving our followers tips and inspiration to getting organized!

Favorite blog: I would have to say Horderly’s blog! :) Aside from that, right now I’m really into Studio McGee’s to get tips and inspiration during my own home renovation.

Favorite book: Essentialism by Greg McKeown! So many reasons why. Read the book and you’ll know! ;) At Horderly, we are big believers in essentialism!

What's your favorite business tool or resource? Why?

My team - Bouncing ideas off each other, bringing new ideas to the table, and always pushing me outside my comfort zone!

Instagram - My love and passion for it.

My label maker - Because I don’t leave the house without it ;)

Who is your business role model? Why? 

My husband. He has all the strengths of my weaknesses and I love learning from him.

How do you balance work and life? 

My husband and I work together (he runs all operations) so it’s definitely difficult at times, but we have always worked really well together and LOVE working together so it works for us. We also don’t have kids yet so that makes a difference! Horderly is our baby ;)

What’s your favorite way to decompress? 

Movies are my guilty pleasure. I love getting sucked into the storyline, it helps settle my busy-mind.

What do you have planned for the next six months? 

Our team is working hard on getting our clients organized virtually at this time(!) but we’ve also been working really hard on the business internally. We hope to be back into homes soon and getting our team back in full swing!

How can our readers connect with you?

You can contact us at www.horderly.com/contact

Also, follow us on Instagram @horderly for tips and inspiration!