Stacy Thomes shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Stacy, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
I start and end each day with a gratitude practice. I typically wake up between 7:15-7:30, Waking up slowly, I take big stretch, drink a large glass of water (with my pro-biotic), roll out of bed onto my knees, take a deep breath and thank my higher power for multiple things… this day, my health, my kids, my husband, my parents, my business, my friends and everything I have been blessed with. I may also throw in some more specific manifesting thoughts if inspired. A quick trip to the bathroom for some morning hygiene and back it bed to drink my coffee (A MUST), check my calendar and emails and then settle in for a 10-15 meditation and get ready for the day ahead.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a Pro Organizer based in Calabasas, California. I was born and raised in Los Angeles, where appearances often matter just as much as reality. I’ve felt the pressure to keep everything looking perfect, even when life behind the scenes felt anything but. So I know just how overwhelming home life can get.
As a mom of two, I hit a point where I realized I didn’t want to keep chasing “more.” I craved simplicity, not just for myself, but for my family. That’s when everything shifted. I saw how powerful it could be to let go of the excess and focus on what truly mattered. And I knew I wanted to help others do the same.
In 2009, I launched Strive to Organize. Since then, I’ve worked with a wide range of people, busy professionals, stay-at-home moms, new homeowners, and even a few celebrities. In 2021 I earned my certification as a Home Stager which has given me the tools to reinvent and refresh any space a homeowner may have outgrown, or, need to showcase in a new light for potential home buyers. No matter who I’m working with, my goal is always the same: to help bring peace, order, and a sense of calm and control back into the home.
Organizing isn’t about perfection, it’s about creating space to breathe, think, and live more intentionally. I feel incredibly lucky to guide people through that process every day.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
Wow, that’s a very thoughtful question! Lately, I’ve been gaining a new appreciation for letting go of the belief that I’m only valuable if I’m being productive. I used to think that the busier I was, the more value I had, and that mindset led me to burnout. It also caused me to feel really down on myself whenever I wasn’t overextending in every area of my life. Now, I strive for balance and allow myself to enjoy downtime, knowing it won’t last forever.
Another part of my personality that I’ve been working on is my need to control everything and everyone. I’ve come to realize that control is an illusion; what I can do is focus on myself and trust others to do the same. If people or situations become too draining, I’ve learned to take a step back and reflect on what truly matters to me.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I would tell my younger self that it’s okay to make mistakes. It’s okay not to get everything right, not to be perfect. As a kid, I struggled with school, self-esteem, and motivation. I often felt there was something wrong with me because I didn’t fit into every box, and I made a lot of mistakes. But over time, I’ve come to realize that a mistake isn’t a problem, unless you learn nothing from it.
Today, this mindset serves me well, especially in my work with clients. Some may feel shame or embarrassment about their current living situation, but if they’ve had the courage to come to me for support, I reassure them: we can change any situation, simply because they are open to accepting help from a professional. When we treat mistakes as opportunities to grow, we can gain so much from all of our experiences, good or bad.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
Between social media, TV shows, and retail shops, we’re constantly bombarded with standards and ideas about how our homes should look. Home organizing took a major turn in 2019 when Marie Kondo rose to popularity, telling people, “Once you get organized, you never have to organize again!” BS!
New things come into our homes every day, and the reality is this: we need solid habits and systems in place to maintain our spaces and manage our belongings.
Hiring a professional organizer doesn’t have to cost a fortune, and you definitely don’t need to spend a ton of money on containers, bins, and every item at The Container Store.
During my initial intake call with clients, I ask about their budget and their goals, because every client is different.
Some simply need help decluttering and letting go of items that no longer serve them. Others need help unpacking and setting up functional systems in a new home. And some want their space to look like the Pinterest boards they’ve been saving for years.
With 16 years of experience, I’ve seen it all. But ultimately, it’s about listening, really listening, to each client and creating custom systems that are realistic, sustainable, and custom tailored to their lives and families.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. If you retired tomorrow, what would your customers miss most?
They would miss the interaction and conversations we have about why it’s important to declutter, be mindful of their shopping habits and maintain their space. It’s not just about the service I provide, and actively changing their space, it’s about a mindset shift they undergo once we have worked together. I am privileged to have so many wonderful conversations with clients about the emotional attachment we have to our belongings, our shopping habits and the state of the environment due to over consumption. I learn as much from them as they do from me and am so grateful to them for opening up their homes and their hearts to me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.stacythomesorganizing.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stacythomesorganizing/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacy-thomes-asp%C2%AE%EF%B8%8F-663b4424/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stacythomesorganizing/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/stacy-thomes-organizing-woodland-hills-3?osq=Stacy+Thomes+Organizing
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Stacythomesorganizing
Image Credits
Photos of Stacy – credit @Jessi Gray
