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Interview with
Lori Firsdon and Barb Warner
Encore Professional Organizers |
WiBN: How long has Encore Professional Organizers been a business?
Encore Professional Organizers has been in business 3 years.
WiBN: In launching Encore Professional Organizers, what prompted you to start your own business as partners?
Our partnership works because our strengths compliment one another. Barb has 20 years of experience in the corporate world and Lori has raised a family which includes five children. We can see our clients as a whole person and know the kinds of things they struggle with both personally and professionally. It’s important when choosing a partner to pick someone who shares a similar work ethic and value system.
WiBN: What were your initial problems / surprises?
Our biggest struggle is bringing awareness of our industry to people. People think we focus on just the physical clutter. There is much more involved in getting someone organized and living efficiently. We help people understand why they are disorganized and then put simple organizing solutions in place for their physical and mental clutter.
WiBN: What advice did you receive that either spurred on your entrepreneurial spirit or made the journey easier?
Surrounding yourself with people who want to see you succeed and also share your passion for owning your own business.
WiBN: What is the secret to good client relations?
In our business, having compassion and being non-judgmental is key to building lasting client relationships. People are confident in what we deliver because we are honest and tell them the facts. Our goal is to help people enjoy a better life at work and home. We are very sincere with our service offerings.
WiBN: What is the biggest challenge facing an entrepreneur running a business today?
Many small businesses are discouraged by the economy. We have continued to market and manage our business without listening to the negativity around us.
WiBN: Both of you have children, how do you find the balance between your business and your families?
It’s good for our children to see us in a professional role and creating a business of our own, but we also know how quickly they grow and how precious time spent with them is. We work many hours while our families don’t miss us, which mean some late nights at times.
WiBN: With having children, successful marriages, and a business, what do you do to take care of yourselves?
We take time out to be with girlfriends. We all know how important those relationships are.
WiBN: What do you think the characteristics of a successful Entrepreneur are?
You must be self-motivated and have a passion for what you do.
WiBN: Has Encore Professional Organizers changed its direction, marketing strategy and overall direction since its founding?
We laid out our marketing strategy early on. It’s a stair step process that takes years to implement. We love climbing to the next level. Our recent focus has been more on the Professional Speaking and Seminars in a business environment. So many businesses are suffering from loss of time and money, with unproductive employees. We reach larger audiences in our speaking services area.
WiBN: What are you planning in the future to maintain your viability and, in fact, grow?
We always watch for the next opportunity and if what doesn’t present itself we make it happen. Continued networking with groups who take running a business seriously.
WiBN: What kind of advisers/mentors do you have?
We surround ourselves with successful people. We have worked with several people who have a similar business model.
WiBN: What encouraging words would you like to leave with our readers regarding the importance of organization in our lives?
Being organized is a learned skill. Being organized not only affects you, but others in your life. Whether in a workplace or at home, people are becoming numb to living in a disorganized and overwhelming setting. Our solutions and services bring relief to their mindsets so they can learn to work and live in a more productive and stress free environment.
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