We’re looking forward to introducing you to Teresa Dinneen. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Teresa, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
I wake up before the kiddos do. Coffee in silence while I play all the NYT games – that’s my little slice of peace before all hell breaks loose.
Then it’s go time. Getting the kids up, breakfast made, lunches packed, and everyone out the door by 7:45 AM. Pure chaos, but we make it work.
Do I wish I could wake up even earlier to squeeze in a workout and get my life together? Absolutely. But I’m only human, and honestly, that quiet coffee time might be all the self-care I can handle right now.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi! I’m someone who’s been passionate about organization since childhood – you know that kid who actually enjoyed organizing closets and Tupperware drawers? That was me. After building a career in fashion with leading brands like J Brand and TOMS, I found myself at a crossroads when I became a mother of two. I wanted to continue doing work I loved while having the flexibility to be present for my children.
That’s how LIFEstyled was born. What started as a natural extension of my organizing habits has evolved into something much more meaningful. While I may not be jetting off to New York Fashion Week anymore, and yes, my own house isn’t always as perfectly organized as I’d like (thanks, kids!), I’ve discovered something powerful: the ability to help others reclaim their spaces and, more importantly, their time and energy.
LIFEstyled isn’t just about making things look pretty – though that’s certainly part of it. We’re focused on eliminating the clutter that’s actually weighing you down and teaching you maintainable systems for editing and organizing your spaces. Our goal is simple but transformative: to give you back the time and mental energy to focus on what truly matters to you, in spaces that you actually love being in.
What makes this work special to me is that it combines my professional experience in design and retail with the very real understanding of how life – especially family life – can challenge even the most organized person. I bring both expertise and awareness to every project, because I know firsthand that the goal isn’t perfection, it’s creating systems that work for your actual life.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who taught you the most about work?
My dad taught me the most about work. He had this incredible work ethic that I’ve always admired – he could put in long, demanding hours and still make time for what mattered most to him: our family. Somehow, he managed to balance both without sacrificing either one.
What really stuck with me was his “no pain, no gain” philosophy. He’d tell my sister and me that every chance he got, and at the time, I probably rolled my eyes, but now I understand what he meant. He wasn’t just talking about working harder – he was teaching us that meaningful accomplishments require effort and perseverance, and that the struggle itself is part of what makes the achievement worthwhile.
Watching him live that balance showed me that being dedicated to your work doesn’t have to mean sacrificing your relationships. He proved you could be both a hard worker and a great, present parent. That example has shaped how I think about what it means to have a strong work ethic – it’s not just about grinding away, but about being intentional with your effort and making sure the people you care about know they matter too.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes, absolutely. Going through a divorce almost two years ago was probably the closest I came to giving up on what I was building. Suddenly, I was the sole provider for my kids, and the pressure to find something stable and secure was overwhelming. I kept thinking I should just go back to a corporate job – something with steady paychecks, benefits, all those safety nets that feel so important when you’re responsible for other people.
There were nights I’d lie awake doing the math, wondering if I was being selfish or irresponsible by not taking the “safe” route. The uncertainty of entrepreneurship feels very different when it’s not just about you anymore.
But I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had something real to offer my clients – a talent and perspective that could genuinely help people. Even in the biggest moments of doubt, I knew I’d regret walking away from that. It wasn’t just about me anymore; it was about the value I could bring to others and showing my kids that sometimes you have to bet on yourself, even when it’s scary.
So I didn’t give up. I found ways to make it work, to build something sustainable while still being there for my family. It was probably the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but also the most rewarding.
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?
Oh, there are so many, but these two are the ones I see and hear the most.
1. The “One-size-fits-all systems work for everyone” – The professional organization industry often pushes universal solutions (like specific bin types or labeling methods) without acknowledging our clients’ lifestyle, work, and family dynamics. What works for one person will definitely not work for another. LIFEstyled specializes in fully customized solutions for each individual client.
2. “If you just follow the system, you’ll maintain it.” While systems can work when properly implemented, this mindset ignores that maintenance is required. Many clients feel like they’ve failed when they can’t maintain Pinterest-perfect organization, when the real issue is unrealistic expectations about how chaotic life has become. The true goal should be creating systems that clients can realistically maintain on their own, with the understanding that they’ll need to do ongoing adjustments and tweaks. It’s about building the skills and flexibility to adapt organization methods as our needs evolve.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What light inside you have you been dimming?
The light I’ve been dimming is my natural sense of humor and playful approach to this business and industry!
I’ve caught myself overthinking every interaction, trying to sound more “professional” or serious than I actually am. Somewhere along the way, I started believing that to be taken seriously in business, I needed to suppress the part of me that finds genuine joy and humor in what I do. I’ve been treating everything with this unnecessary gravity when, honestly, we’re in the organizing business. When things feel intense, I like to remind my team that “we’re folding underwear, not saving lives!” It always lightens the mood.
My humor has always been one of my strongest assets. It’s how I connect with people, how I solve problems creatively, and how I make even mundane tasks enjoyable. But I’ve been keeping it locked away, worried it might seem unprofessional or that people won’t respect what I’m building.
The truth is, that playful energy is exactly what makes my business unique. When I let myself be genuinely funny and light-hearted about what we do, everything becomes more authentic and memorable. Customers respond to it, my team enjoys working more, and I actually remember why I started this in the first place.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.itslifestyled.com
- Instagram: @its.lifestyled
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teresadinneen/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/lifestyled-redondo-beach-2
Image Credits
Charlotte Lea – https://www.instagram.com/charlotteleaphotography?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
