Five years ago this September I was sitting on my deck, out of work, yet not ready to retire. I was eating my lunch and reading an AARP article about Barbara Reich, the self-prescribed “Queen of Clean.” Two pages later I could feel the hair on my arms standing on end, and I knew I had hit on something life-changing. The article described the role of a professional organizer. At that moment I knew that this was it for me—my next career, my reinvention.

As I reflect on that moment five years later and all the lessons learned, clients I have helped, along with their beautiful families (including dogs and cats, and turtles too), I feel so blessed. I am making a difference in my clients’ lives every day. My sessions end with hugs and smiles, and enthusiasm about our next appointment to continue our important work.

Whether I am helping a client sort through cartons in a cluttered basement, cleaning out their linen closet filled with 40-year-old sheets and towels, or simply holding their hand while they open their mail and sort, they are delighted to have the support for these tasks that would not get done without an organizer’s presence.

It takes a village to grow a business. Fortunately, I was blessed with great contacts, business-management experience and priceless involvement as a daughter, sister and niece to family members who needed my skills before I knew that organizing was a “thing.” My Uncle Eddie (whose photo appears on my website and marketing material) was my toughest challenge with family organizing/downsizing. Because of him, I am better able to understand the journey of aging and memory loss, and the loneliness of losing loved ones. My commitment to this business would never have launched without the support of my loving husband and son, as well as friends and colleagues who believed in my vision and sent business my way.

I would like to take this time to thank the staff and all the readers of The Jewish Link for your support and enthusiasm. I am grateful for the opportunities to serve the community. You trusted me before you met me because of my monthly advertising presence and articles that are written from my heart. Your support means so much and I am deeply appreciative of the families who have contacted me based on my exposure in your newspaper. In many cases I never met the owner of the home that I was de-cluttering as I was hired by their family members or their the person given power of attorney to sort through papers and household items to identify important documents and locate money and valuable memorabilia.

I’ve experienced the highs and lows of sorting through clients’ homes under a variety of circumstances. There is the joy of locating the original Last Will and Testament that everyone was scrambling for, the old-style bank book that had a significant balance that had not been updated in 25 years, original stock certificates and my favorite story—when my husband found a 100-year-old diamond ring that was hidden under the carpeting of a staircase.

I would be remiss if I did not mention my membership in the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals (NAPO). Joining NAPO was a priority when I started my business, and I made a commitment to attend annual conferences beginning with Los Angeles in April 2015, just a few months after I launched my business. The training and knowledge shared between colleagues has been extremely satisfying. I look forward to the conferences and choosing seminars that will help me be a better support system to my valued clients.

And last, a very special thank you to Moshe Kinderlehrer, who took an unknown entity and put her on The Jewish Link map. This relationship was sparked by a post by Jill Kirsch on the West Orange Shuls site. Both Moshe and Jill are responsive to my questions and appear to be up at the same late hours that I am to confirm receipt of my articles and discuss any issues.

Here’s to the next five years!

Eileen Bergman is a professional organizer and a proud member of the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals (NAPO). Eileen is listed in the resource directory for the Hoarding Disorder Resource and Training Group. Eileen may be reached at 973-303-3236 or [email protected].