Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Moon Stanfield.
Ashley, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Well! This has been a very organic process.
Being neat and tidy was something I was expected to do as a child, of a minimalist mother with OCD tendencies. In high school I moved in with my dad and stepmom and they saw that I was always organizing and reorganizing my space, perhaps somewhat obsessively.
They began to have me help them with their businesses, then their friends began hiring me. After college, their friend, a professional organizer, trained and hired me to organize her clients. For many years though, I thought it was something I would do on the side.
It wasn’t until 5 years ago I left my job as an Executive Assistant/Secretary to pursue this as a full time business adventure. I’m so happy I did!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Yes and no. The biggest struggle: Balancing!
Some advised me to stay at my job until I had more money saved and more of a game plan established. Others said to leap- and the net will appear. So I did that.
Frankly, I was bored at my job. I began to feel depressed and was drinking way too much coffee! I didn’t feel challenged and there didn’t appear to be much room for growth quickly enough. I even met with my boss about it, who saw potential in me and encouraged me to start my own business, even though he hated to see me go. I gave my notice a week later!
The first couple of years I was hustling around the clock to get clients, service them, handle the administrative work, plus all the learning curves. Eventually, I started having plenty of customers; mainly because of Yelp and word of mouth, repeat business and networking. So that freed up more of my time (the “get clients” chunk) and I began to have a social life again.
About a year later though, I realized I was ready to go next level. And it was going to take sacrifice (my family was supportive and wise in encouraging this). I wanted to do more than just go in, tidy up, and leave. I wanted my clients to feel less cluttered (on the inside too!) and maintain what we established which requires more mindfulness. I began realizing what deep, powerful, transformational work this can be. And I wasn’t quite sure how to go about it.
So over the next few years, I began investing in myself and business more. Hiring coaches and mentors; attending coaching school, a yearlong priestess training, two yoga teacher trainings, Reiki, and the list goes on. I began facilitating meditation circles and most importantly, developed my own daily meditation practice and rituals to better understand myself, how to be of service, and balance everything. The magic I was experiencing, especially through the art of letting go~ and equally important~ the art of receiving, was something I wanted everyone to experience. Supreme organization!
It is why I’m now stepping into Life Balance Coaching, where we explore inner and outer space reflections.
The biggest struggles (and victories!) have been learning how to manage my time (there’s so much I want to DO!) and finances (when I make more, I tend to spend more). I’m learning and growing so fast ~ and just like organizing, it’s a life long journey.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Creatively Neat, Professional Organizing (and soon: Ash Moon coaching) – what should we know?
I first listen to where my potential client is at, where they want to be, and what seems to be standing in their way, mainly in terms of clutter.
From a pile or papers or tangled cords, to an entire home or office~ we go in and essentially follow these 3 steps: sort/categorize like items, release what no longer serves, organize the keeps based on access needed.
This is the very hands on aspect of my business, which I’ve been training others to do more, so I can delve deeper into the coaching realm and create more content, programs, and products.
I’ve probably serviced over a 1,000 people throughout the years, mostly residential. I’m super-fast at sorting in general (give me any junk drawer or a garage), making it much easier for the customer to see their inventory and only keep what they love or use.
I’m known for tackling the paper monster- helping reduce it and simplify systems. Other organizers in fact send paper clients to me!
I’m most proud of how much people enjoy working with me- even when they start off feeling very anxious and doubtful. By the end of a session or series, they look much lighter and happier. It brings me so much joy!
What sets me apart from other organizers is I truly listen and facilitate the process so they’re empowered, making their own decisions, such as what items to keep or release. I guide them in doing this from a place of love instead of fear, trusting in abundance, rather than lack mentality.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel has been essential to your success?
Being compassionate and non-judgmental.
They can feel it- so they feel safe with me and it opens doors to other worlds of possibility. I am so freaking honored and amazed by them!
Also finding my truth- my niche- and knowing when to say yes, or no, to ideal clients, projects, and opportunities.
Contact Info:
- Address: Los Angeles, CA 90065
(travel worldwide and virtually!) - Website: creativelyneat.com (and new one in the making, out in a few months!)
- Phone: 323-673-1981
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: (coming soon!)
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/creativelyneatprofessionalorganizing/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/CreativelyNeat
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/creatively-neat-los-angeles-4
- Other: ha! those google listing people are relentless omg. Not sure if this helps, I barely use it, may update more soon: https://plus.google.com/109215307042207229260
