TESTIMONIALS from NAPO-Georgia MEMBERS
What made you first join NAPO-Georgia?
I first joined NAPO-GA in 2005 to meet other professional organizers in the Atlanta area. As a sole proprietor, I felt it would be important for me, as a new business owner, to belong to a local professional association.
What I found at my first meeting was a great group of people who "get" what it means to be organized! Hallelujah! I had been organizing my friends, family, and employers for years with skills that come very naturally to me. Who knew there was an entire industry devoted to helping others get organized at home and at work?!
My NAPO membership has been beneficial to me by providing leadership, educational, and networking opportunities I haven't been able to find in any other networking group in Atlanta. I wholeheartedly recommend membership in NAPO-GA. Want to learn more? Call any NAPO-GA member and ask them why they joined.
Melinda Anderson, CPO®
Southern Home Organizers®
I met Monica Ricci at an organizing marketing research trial. She told me about the group and said I must join.
Adele Gross,
At Your Service
One of my very best business decisions was to join NAPO-Georgia in 2003 at the same time I became a NAPO member. The group is welcoming and supportive. Over the years, I’ve developed my leadership skills and have met and learned from many different types of organizers.
Leslie Walden, Past President,
It's Time to Get Organized, LLC
I am a proud chapter founding member. I think of my chapter membership kind of like disaster prepareness. When there is a severe storm, you can turn on the national weather and learn about how big it is and how it originated and where it is headed. But it is on the local stations that you learn all the on-the-ground information that applies directly to you: what schools are closed, where the nearest shelter is and what roads to utilize. A chapter is like that, giving you what you need to know locally.
Also, it is amazing how the reasons for the origin of the chapter continue to be the reasons why is it good to join:
- Professionalism. People who take the step from having a talent to having a business deserve the education and support of peers and mentors.
- Credibility. Chapter membership conveys to your customers that you make an ongoing effort to hone your craft. It also says are serious about delivering quality customer service. So even if you are not a business owner, chapter membership increases credibility.
- Moral support. Its a jungle out there! In our chapter there are 3 year, 5 year and even veteran organizers who've been at it for over 10 years! It inspires others to be persistent and work hard. My chapter still makes me feel like I have more to contribute. There is no better feeling.
Education or rather learning. It is in the chapter you learn how to avail yourself of classes, what to do and say in varioius client situations, the latest organizing tools, and what you need to know about the industry to deliver the best services at the highest level to your clients.
Judith Kolberg, Founding Member
FileHeads Professional Organizers
Looking for a group of professionals who are serious and capable in helping clients organize their stuff and lives. Thought we could provide assistance in the photo part of their work.
Jiffy Page, Associate Member
Pixorium
As a guest, I found the members of the chapter to be extremely welcoming and enthusiastic to have a "visitor". There was a true sense of sincerity and interest. I wouldn't have even gone to a meeting at first if it weren't for the warmth and encouragement I received from a few members I met in an organizing class I had attended. Once I witnessed the collaborative and cooperative nature of the NAPO Georgia members, I realized it would be a mistake not to join the chapter! Seven years have passed and I have found that the warmth, enthusiasm and cooperation have not ceased. In essence, we are all each other's competitors, but being part of this group has made me feel more like a member of a team.
Michelle K. Grey, MA, CPO®
AIP Organizing Solutions
After researching the NAPO and the professional organizing industry, I was very impressed with the number of NAPO-GA members involved at the national level. We have several industry pioneers and leaders in the chapter and I wanted to align myself with the best in the industry.
Monica Premo, Past President
Practically Perfect
I joined in 2004 when I first began my business because of the professional manner of the members, the meeting formats, and the camaraderie I felt, even as a guest. I knew I was going to pursue being an organizer not as a hobby but as a business and everyone at the meeting represented this occupation as a "profession"!
Sherry Lee Denton, President
The Orderly Touch
Why are you a continuing member?
It gives me the satisfaction of doing something to continue my endeavor in the field, and it's a very supportive -- not competitive -- industry and thus a valuable group to be a part of.
Helen Preston
Rise & Organize, LLC
The members (friends).
Adele Gross
At Your Service
I continue to belong to NAPO-GA for an abundance of reasons. The friendships and comraderie, the library and resources, the associate members who offer support services, the education that comes from good speakers at our monthly meetings, the fun that we have as a group at our socials, meetings and conference, the motivation and inspiration I get from other members, the referrals from the chapter website, and oh, so much more! When my annual dues bill comes each year, there is not a decision to be made. I know I will renew my membership with NAPO-GA….no matter what!!!
Michelle Cooper, CPO®
Put It There and Student Organizers of Atlanta
By far, the camaraderie and the library.
Barbara Skutch Mays
It's Time to Get Organized, LLC
I am a continuing member of NAPO Ga because I try to make a habit, in my business and personal lives, to surround myself with people smarter than I am! What this group of professional men and woman know about personal, financial and business organizing (and I'm not sure the word 'organizing' is large enough to describe it) is both surprising and inspiring. I gain so much from being in this group and I hope to be able to intelligently contribute to it in time.
Eileen Nebhut
NHabitation LLC
I love the connection with other organizers. We speak the same language! All the other members of the chapter are willing to share – resources, information, tips… you name it. It is similar to being a member of a club where you go to meet like-minded people and share experiences. The educational aspect of the meetings is wonderful but what I really like about our meetings is the camaraderie and fellowship among the members of our chapter.
Diane N. Quintana
DNQ Solutions, LLC
Simply put, it’s the people. The NAPO culture “Together We Are Better” fosters an atmosphere of support, sharing and collaboration in an effort to raise the bar for the chapter and the industry. When everyone’s better, we all win!
Monica Premo
Practically Perfect
The opportunity to learn from others and the access to first-class learning and support that cannot be found elsewhere.
Sherry Lee Denton
The Orderly Touch
What do you feel are the best benefits of NAPO-Georgia membership?
Being in the heart of what's going on in the organizing industry. If you're a professional organizer and not a member of your local chapter, it doesn't speak well of how serious you are about succeeding.
Helen Preston
Rise & Organize, LLC
Friendships, the yahoo group, the education at the meetings, and teleclasses
Adele Gross
At Your Service
The best part of my NAPO-Georgia membership is that it easily allows me to continue my education through monthly meetings, speakers, teleclasses, networking events and the chapter library.
Gigi K. Miller
Vision Organizing, LLC
I have enjoyed meeting other entrepreneurial, small business owners, and the group is as I’d hoped – one of serious, committed business people – who focus on the same market I do.
Jiffy Page, Associate Member
Pixorium
Aside from the personal relationships, the Organizers’ Roundtable and Lending Library are the two best benefits of membership. The roundtable discussions give you candid information and a venue to discuss issues specific to our businesses and industry. The library provides an enormous wealth of knowledge, especially from the annual conference sessions. NAPO conference presenters provide not only great information, but top-notch resources in their sessions. The cost is free; the knowledge is priceless!
Monica Premo, Past President
Practically Perfect
There are many benefits of belonging to NAPO-GA but the building of personal and working relationships with other organizers is way up there for me. I love really getting to know the other organizers and their expertise. If I want help with a certain area- I know who to call or email. If I want some emotional support or computer help or help with a certain client- I know who to contact. We are a very diverse, caring, and giving group.
Jonda Beattie
Time Space Organizing
What is your favorite thing about our monthly meetings?
Hearing what everyone's been doing, seeing what's out there that is a good fit for you, and networking. Plus the speakers have been very informative and useful.
Helen Preston
Rise & Organize, LLC
Education, socializing
Adele Gross
At Your Service
My favorite part of the meeting is when members stand up to "brag" about the exciting things going on in their businesses. Some veterans can be counted on to find something tale-worthy every month, but the true gems are those first timers, the timid organizers who have their first paying clients, or the members who stretch beyond their comfort zones to go after new experiences, like speaking gigs or book publishing. Every member's success is inspiring, and the exuberant applause each speaker gets is a reminder of the camaraderie we share.
Julie Bestry, CPO®
Best Results Organizing
Speakers at the chapter meetings are knowledgeable and help me continue to grow both professionally and in my business. Before and after the meetings I interact with other organizers, sharing strategies and best practices. Now that I am no longer on the NAPO-Georgia board, I plan on participating in Roundtable which discusses a variety of topics and is a wonderful perk of membership. I recommend NAPO-Georgia to every professional organizer.
Leslie Walden, Past President,
It's Time to Get Organized, LLC
What do you consider the "best bang for your buck" with NAPO-Georgia?
Everything together. Any one thing (the monthly meetings, being listed on the "find a pro org" site, etc.) are valuable in and of themselves, but getting all the member benefits together give the most *BANG* for the buck (plus you get free samples of the latest innovations!)
Helen Preston
Rise & Organize, LLC
Relationships
Adele Gross
At Your Service
The lending library...couldn't purchase all those materials or share as easily with someone without the library and the easy process provided by the librarian.
Sherry Lee Denton, President
The Orderly Touch
