Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenn Hsu.
Hi Jenn, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Even as a kid, I loved taking out all my stickers, pencil boxes, and notebooks to reorganize until everything felt right in its own space. And I still remember getting into trouble as a kindergartner because I organized all the chubby wooden pencils to be facing the same way when I was supposed to be paying attention during story time. This desire to create physical and mental order in my space didn’t go away even during my 8 years working in brand marketing for a national fashion retailer. The goal of getting consumers to buy more stuff felt contrary to what I believed in. But I was also a single mother raising my young daughter, and the stability of a predictable paycheck with benefits was an important necessity. When I turned 40, however, I was in a different season of life. I wanted to pursue something I was passionate about and innately good at. After quitting my job at the tail end of the pandemic, I worked briefly for a celebrity organizer and social media influencer as part of a team that organized the sprawling homes of celebrities I saw on TV and online. But because I really wanted to help everyday families and individuals struggling with their stuff in normal-sized homes, I took the plunge in starting my own organizing company. My business is less than 2 years old and I love the ways I have been able to help clients find comfort and rest in their home, instead of stress and chaos.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Most people will readily say they could use my services when I first meet them and introduce myself, but they will not follow through because of several prohibiting factors. Inviting a stranger, or even a friend, into a home that is full of clutter creates a lot of shame and embarrassment. I recently had a booth at our city’s birthday party that showcased local businesses. I had laid out drawers of organized kitchen utensils, neatly folded sweaters, and videos showcasing Before and Afters as tangible examples of my work. I eagerly awaited young families and tired moms to approach me asking for ideas or inquiring about my services. However, quite the opposite was true and many people who looked like my ideal client avoided eye contact and walked hurriedly past me, even after I overheard husbands jokingly (or not?) tell their wives they should hire me. After much thought, I realized that these moms perhaps felt judged or incompetent because their home was not Home Neat Home. Even when I initially step into the home of someone who has already hired me, they inevitably apologize or feel embarrassed. I have told nearly every client that I am not there to judge them, but to help create order and a system that fits their daily life. I feel like Professional Organizing is still a relatively new industry and people think I somehow made up this business idea. Educating potential clients about what I do, how it benefits their mental health, and why having an organized space is worth the financial investment is a constant challenge of mine.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I love creating both form and function in a client’s space that I am organizing–I want the space to look both pretty and be organized, which feels like both a giant puzzle to solve and a creative outlet for me. I will remove everything from the space, categorize similar objects, and go through items with a client to understand the importance of each object. I ask a ton of very specific questions– what’s your favorite coffee mug to use in the morning, where do you take your Zoom calls, what are the daily staples in your wardrobe, how tall are your kids and what snacks can they reach? This helps me customize an organizing system that feels intuitive and can be maintained after I leave. Every client thinks differently and my goal is to help them stay organized. A pretty acrylic bin or rainbow coordinated bookshelf can’t just look nice, it has to serve the client’s needs and fit their daily routine. I think through the goals and wish list of what a client has described and organize around those. As a result, each space, drawer, and cabinet I organize is as unique as the client, their thought process, and their hobbies. I set up donation services, give them pointers on how to build good shopping habits, and teach them how to file fold their clothes. I want to educate, encourage, and empower the client to bring peace and order to their personal space and home.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
Working from home at my desk job during the pandemic was a nice change of pace. Prior to the pandemic, I worked long hours at the office and felt like the hustle and bustle of daily life wore me down. I rarely had dinner with my husband because I got home late and the weekends were used to catch up on chores. I rarely picked up my daughter from school because that was during work hours. I loved working from home but I didn’t love the work itself. And it took a global crisis to help me realize that life was too short to work a job just for the paycheck. Quitting a stable job with benefits was quite a risk and is still scary. But hearing the reaction and seeing the excitement of clients when I show them their organized space will never get old. I love that I can save someone time and money in the long-run, and create a sense of peace and order in a once chaotic space. I love that their home can now become a sanctuary, not a place of stress.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.homeneathome.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homeneathome_ig/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/home-neat-home-diamond-bar
- Other: https://maps.app.goo.gl/3mbTQE3dCa844ikn8
Image Credits
Lauren Scotti for Personal Photo only
