#BossLadySeattle // Lilian Chiu
My kitchen sink, after a much-needed purge
HOME ORGANIZATION!?!
Are you OCD like me but don’t have the patience to work on your own space anymore? Or, you just have too many other things going on to tackle a certain area of your house? I’m right there with you!
Living in a little over 1,500 square feet with 5 people in my home, we try to keep things pretty minimal. But with kids, it can be really hard to do with all their little toys, their art activities, and who knows what else they collect. And, my kitchen gets a lot of use since my husband and I are avid home cooks. I sometimes dreaded opening some of my cabinets. There would be things like potatoes growing eyes or an old lighting fixture just hanging out in random kitchen cabinet. Why were there? You tell me. No real system. Or spices in two different areas. It was hard to keep track of simple stuff like this.
So that said, pre-global pandemic, I searched for some outside resources to help me declutter my townhome and found Lilian Chiu, is the owner and professional organizer at Peony Professional Organizing here in the Seattle area. She made it super easy to work together VIRTUALLY. Yes, without human contact. She walked me through decluttering and reorganization process over video chat over two sessions. I was really surprised how easy our process together was and the results of having organized system in my kitchen again. Curious about how our process working together was? Check out more here.
BEFORE //My messy kitchen after a busy morning
AFTER // A much need cleanse with Peony Professional Organizing
AFTER // It’s so much easier to find food items now!
BEFORE // The saddest spice rack you ever saw.
AFTER // With a few easy suggestions made by Lilian, my spice rack is now AMAZING. We can easily find oils, vinegars, and spices that we use multiple times a day.
Post-session, I had the chance to talk more with Lilian about her business since I had such a great experience working with her. And, I wanted to know more how she’s been doing during this time of staying home for us all.
BOSS LADY LILIAN CHIU, OWNER OF PEONY PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZING
Image courtesy of Vikki Kwan
1. Tell me a bit about Peony Professional Organizing. What kind of business do you run, and how did this come about?
I started Peony Professional Organizing in 2018 after realizing how much I wanted to help other people feel less stressed and overwhelmed by their homes. Life is busy and messy, especially in this time of COVID-19. Sometimes, you can't find what you need, you feel overwhelmed by the amount of stuff you have, and you don't have the time to organize it yourself (or even know where to start). I wanted to help people bring some calm into their homes.
We offer a luxury, done-for-you organizing service. We learn about your routines and lifestyle to set up organizing systems that work for you and your family. This way, you can eliminate the stress, get that calm home you've always dreamed of, and have more time to do the things you love.
2. What do you love most about having your organizing business?
Two things! I truly love organizing. I have that weird brain that just loves to look at spaces and figure out how to fit things in it (maybe that's why I constantly played Tetris as a kid?).
The second (and absolutely best) part of my job is getting a text or email from a client, telling me how much the systems we created helped them feel happier and more calm in their home.
3. What are you doing to support your clients right now?
Even though I'm not currently able to go to their homes to organize, I'm available to support them virtually (email, text, phone, and video chat). I also share tips and tricks on Instagram and in my monthly blog and newsletter. Think of me as the "Organizer in Your Pocket!"
4. What is the biggest challenge for you running your usually face-to-face business right now? How can we help?
For sure, the biggest challenge is not being able to work in a client's home. We love being there to organize everything for you! With that said, we know this is temporary, and we can still move forward if you're itching to get your home organized. Currently, new clients can book virtual consultations so we can discuss how we can help you. Also, you can reserve organizing sessions for June, which is when we will tentatively go back to work under Phase 2 of our state's Safe Start plan.
How can you help? Follow me on Instagram (I hang out there a lot) for organizing tips and tricks, and like, comment, and share with any friends you think would find them helpful. We also have gift cards available if you'd like to give an organizing session to a loved one (or for yourself!). You can email me at hello@peonyproorganizing.com to get one.
5. How have you pivoted since the pandemic?
I know how odd this time feels right now. There are so many of us who are juggling working from home with your spouse, homeschooling your kids, meal planning, and trying to find toilet paper. Even though I can't be in your home physically, I can offer organizing solutions virtually. We'd start off with a video consult so you can walk me through the spaces you need help with (whether that's setting up a home office or organizing the kids playroom). Then, we would schedule one- or two-hour sessions on Skype, where I coach you on how to organize that space and design an organizational system that'll fit your needs. I offer suggestions for where to donate or consign items and will send you a list of recommended organizing products for your space after our session. It also takes a little time to adjust to a newly organized space, which is why I follow up with the client up to two weeks after the completed project. If you're interested in getting your space organized, you can find more info here.
6. What's your favorite comfort food right now?
Ice cream! Either Humphry Slocombe's Blue Bottle Vietnamese Coffee Ice Cream or Ben and Jerry's Coconut Seven Layer Bar. Gotta stock up for this upcoming hot weather...
If you don't already, be sure to follow Peony Professional Organizing on Instagram and Facebook . Also, you can schedule your free consultation directly through here.