Thursday, February 16, 2006
Liz's Biz (Relax, There's No Quiz)
[Your not-very-on-the-ball Post Editor has finally gotten off the old duff and searched out the following personal interest story for your enjoyment.]
A Sense of Order, Liz Bohn's new business offering customized organizational services, will celebrate its third anniversary on April 20th, and has recently become an LLC, boosting credibility with prospective clients. She says that the majority of her business is with clients who have standing appointments, and that she is usually only working with a about six or seven at any given time. Most of these are professional women or wives of professionals who have more going on than they can handle, so they hire Liz to take up the slack.
About the time Liz was going into business she was buying a new car. She told the Saturn dealer all the features she wanted in her new car, then gave them her top two colors. They were able to get her a blue car quickest, thus determining the theme color for the business.
Her work uniform is a pair of overalls, and she uses the many pockets to good advantage. She's able to whip out paper, pens, pencils, phone, business cards, or a nail file (handy in many situations) on the spot, which makes a good impression with clients. She stresses the fact that she is NOT merely a consultant, but gets right down to the hands-on work. Organizational work is very different from what people see on TV. There is absolutely no theatrics.
Liz also hired a business coach for 3-4 months not long ago to help her take the business to the next level. She reports that the coach provided tremendous insight and as a result she's more relaxed in her role as owner of A Sense of Order.
She became a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO), who formed a St. Louis chapter not long ago. January is "Get Organized" Month, and the group plans to be prepared to sponsor a "GO" event in January 2007.
As a member of Toastmasters International (recently elected VP for PR), Liz will soon deliver her fourth speech in a series of ten. It's likely she'll continue beyond the first manual, as the public speaking is good training for her future opportunities with NAPO St. Louis.
Not long ago, she initiated a program called A Sense of Community to enable clients to earn services without having to pay. The non-paying client would come up with a community service project, complete the agreed upon hours, and then turn in a voucher to Liz that "covers" her services. One client has already participated in this program, which she plans to make available indefinitely.
She has been working less now that granddaughter Zoe is in the picture, and her able assistant, Hillary, is no longer available to her. After she finishes her training, she may resume a heavier schedule.
Liz says it's the very positive feedback from clients about the difference she's made in their lives that is most gratifying. She hears things like "I had Christmas this year with only half the stress" and "I was able to do [something special] with my child because the [organizing project] was off my mind." So it's not about making a huge bundle of money, but having a big impact on families that keeps the wind in her sails.
Visit her website and check out the Before and After photos as well as more testimonials.
A Sense of Order, Liz Bohn's new business offering customized organizational services, will celebrate its third anniversary on April 20th, and has recently become an LLC, boosting credibility with prospective clients. She says that the majority of her business is with clients who have standing appointments, and that she is usually only working with a about six or seven at any given time. Most of these are professional women or wives of professionals who have more going on than they can handle, so they hire Liz to take up the slack.
About the time Liz was going into business she was buying a new car. She told the Saturn dealer all the features she wanted in her new car, then gave them her top two colors. They were able to get her a blue car quickest, thus determining the theme color for the business.
Her work uniform is a pair of overalls, and she uses the many pockets to good advantage. She's able to whip out paper, pens, pencils, phone, business cards, or a nail file (handy in many situations) on the spot, which makes a good impression with clients. She stresses the fact that she is NOT merely a consultant, but gets right down to the hands-on work. Organizational work is very different from what people see on TV. There is absolutely no theatrics.
Liz also hired a business coach for 3-4 months not long ago to help her take the business to the next level. She reports that the coach provided tremendous insight and as a result she's more relaxed in her role as owner of A Sense of Order.
She became a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO), who formed a St. Louis chapter not long ago. January is "Get Organized" Month, and the group plans to be prepared to sponsor a "GO" event in January 2007.
As a member of Toastmasters International (recently elected VP for PR), Liz will soon deliver her fourth speech in a series of ten. It's likely she'll continue beyond the first manual, as the public speaking is good training for her future opportunities with NAPO St. Louis.
Not long ago, she initiated a program called A Sense of Community to enable clients to earn services without having to pay. The non-paying client would come up with a community service project, complete the agreed upon hours, and then turn in a voucher to Liz that "covers" her services. One client has already participated in this program, which she plans to make available indefinitely.
She has been working less now that granddaughter Zoe is in the picture, and her able assistant, Hillary, is no longer available to her. After she finishes her training, she may resume a heavier schedule.
Liz says it's the very positive feedback from clients about the difference she's made in their lives that is most gratifying. She hears things like "I had Christmas this year with only half the stress" and "I was able to do [something special] with my child because the [organizing project] was off my mind." So it's not about making a huge bundle of money, but having a big impact on families that keeps the wind in her sails.
Visit her website and check out the Before and After photos as well as more testimonials.
# posted by Linda @ 7:50 PM 
