Nonnahs Driskill, Founding Organizer Get Organized Already! Inc.
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Nonnahs Driskill is the founder organizer at get organized already! inc, a home organization firm in Southern California. After working with clients on her own for two years, Nonnahs expanded the firm to be a collaborative effort, combining the skills and experience of eight delightful organizers. She has also served on a number of design panels, news shows, and been featured in lifestyle magazines. Nonnahs loves to play tennis and her passion is connecting people and ideas.
Can you tell our readers about your background?
I’ve always been very organized and detail-oriented. When my high school counselor asked what job I was interested in, I said, “I’d like to be a professional friend.” Now I am exactly that.
What inspired you to start your business?
Busy girlfriends inspired me to go into business doing for others what I did for them naturally. “You know this is a job, right?” They asked me.
Where is your business based?
We have two teams of professional organizers. One team serves NELA, Pasadena, and DTLA; the other team serves residents of Long Beach, CA.
How did you start your business? What were the first steps you took?
This is my third official business. So I knew I needed to get a DBA and open a bank account and all of that boring stuff first. Like I said, I was already organizing for my friends whenever I could. So I put up a website, did some research, and started charging.
What has been the most effective way of raising awareness for your business?
We have the most success reaching potential clients online. That seems to be where women search for an organizer.
What have been your biggest challenges and how did you overcome them?
It is harder than I ever imagined to find women I trust to represent my company name. You hear people say, “Good help is hard to find.” But I never felt that in my heart until I started hiring people.
I’ve made so many mistakes that I don’t know if I’ve overcome the challenge at all! I keep trying though.
How do you stay focused?
I’m all about quality of life so I tend to compartmentalize my schedule. When I know there will be time in my day to do other things, it is really easy to stay focused on work.
How do you differentiate your business from the competition?
Get Organized Already specializes in helping women who are chronically disorganized. We don’t do Pinterest-worthy make-overs. We are in our clients’ lives for a long time, offering them real, day-to-day relief from the stress and guilt of having a cluttered home.
What has been your most effective marketing strategy to grow your business?
Because I want us to have notable internet presence I’m always creating online content. We have a blog, video tips, and use social media to drive traffic to our website every day.
What's your best piece of advice for aspiring and new entrepreneurs?
Work for a similar business for a year. Take copious notes about everything you see and learn, good and bad.
What's your favorite app, blog, and book? Why?
The Bodhi timer is my favorite app. It’s so simple. The timer sound is beautiful and using a timer is one of my favorite productivity tricks.
My favorite blog is our own, “Get Organized Already”. It’s funny, educational, and pretty.
“The E-myth Revisited” by Michael Gerber inspires me to delegate and keep growing my business.
“The not so big life” by Sarah Susanka helps me stay more grounded and focused on the good stuff.
Those are two books I re-read often.
What's your favorite business tool or resource? Why?
I’m pretty sure I use google calendar more than I use toilet paper! All of our organizers have a calendar. My family members each have a calendar. I have 2twofor myself. It helps me relax when I can see all of my responsibilities for the day in pretty colors.
How can our readers connect with you?
website:
GetOrganizedAlready.com/blog-organizing-tips
social media links:
http://www.facebook.com/getorganizedalreadyla
http://twitter.com/GetOrganzdAlrdy
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_pDnJJIhhunw6uqgeomMig
https://instagram.com/getorganizedalready/