Today we’d like to introduce you to Whitney Rice.
Hi Whitney, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I’ve loved organizing ever since I was a kid! I have vivid memories of visiting The Container Store on Burnet Road and buying hangers and trinket boxes in every color of the rainbow. I organized my closet by color, and friends would ask me to reorganize their closets when I would sleepover. My love for tidy, visually appealing spaces definitely started early!
In December 2019, I had the opportunity to organize a HUGE pantry for some friends. The project took a whopping 16 hours (even with extra help!), but the end result was so fulfilling that I knew I could turn my passion into a business—even if it was just my side hustle when I wasn’t teaching preschool.
In March 2020, Simplified Austin, LLC was born. The timing was less than ideal because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the shutdown was a great opportunity to work on finishing touches like the website, social media, training, and building a professional network. I also have to give credit to my sister, Page, whose background in marketing really helped me kick things off on the right foot.
By the time I wrapped up the 2020-21 school year, business was booming. I couldn’t help but notice how happy I felt when I was working in people’s homes, and it was clear that organizing is what I needed to be doing.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Luckily, my path to success has been pretty smooth! Starting a business is a complex process though, so I’ve had to ask a lot of questions and do plenty of research to make sure I’m doing everything correctly.
We’ve been impressed with Simplified Austin, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Simplified Austin is a full-service professional organizing business that serves Austin, TX, and the surrounding areas (Round Rock, Georgetown, Hutto, Pflugerville, Lakeway, Westlake…). Many people don’t fully understand what a professional organizer even does. A professional organizer helps their client develop and implement systems to get and keep them organized. We can help organize and declutter your home (kitchens, pantries, closets, bathrooms, garages, playrooms, bedrooms, and offices), archive memorabilia and teach you how to better manage your time and workflow, among other things.
Simplified Austin is a proud member of The National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals as well as the Inspired Organizer program. We are life-long learners, always seeking out the latest research and trends to best serve our clients.
As a former teacher, I love helping parents and children make their most-used spaces functional and beautiful while teaching the skills to help keep it looking great long after I leave.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
The ongoing pandemic has highlighted the importance of seizing the moment, which really inspired me to take the leap of faith to focus full-time on Simplified Austin and the organizing services we provide.
Pricing:
- $100/hour with package discounts for multiple hours
Contact Info:
- Email: hello@simplifiedaustin.com
- Website: http://www.simplifiedaustin.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplifiedaustin/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/simplifiedaustin
