Meet Kimberly Hairton-Neal | Certified Professional Organizer
We had the good fortune of connecting with Kimberly Hairton-Neal and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Kimberly, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
In 2010, I made a significant life decision and married my life partner. Our union produced a beautiful blended family of 5. Like most women, I prided myself on excelling in my secular career while also maintaining order in my household. Outnumbered from the start, I struggled in my new role. My desire was to create order in my life and home again.
My “aha” moment came after reading an article that suggested completing a survey to identify unique job opportunities. It helped me identify my strengths and unique abilities while focusing on the current needs of the market.
The thought process was to take the skill set that I was currently offering to the local university, for a nominal hourly wage, and craft them into an irresistible service for local overwhelmed executives and professionals.
The transition took me a total of six months. In January 2014, I started offering PA services (personal assistant/concierge) on a limited basis. Previously, I negotiated a four-day work week with my 9 to 5, so I used part of my day off and weekends to accommodate clients. Local business picked up fast! Based on my expertise and the needs of my clients, we expanded into Professional Organizing services. I officially resigned from my 9 to 5 in July 2014. Little by little we niched out a life that we enjoyed and allowed us to pour into our family.
Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Ever since Marie Kondo and the Home Edit hit the scene, the conversation around professional organizing seems to be trending. Some wonder whether it is really helpful or if it is just a fad. Based on our over decade-long experience, professional organization is not only beneficial but it is life changing.
To date, we’ve had the pleasure to work with hundreds of transitioning executives & local families, helping them bring order to their lives and homes. And though it’s not always easy to address the task of organizing your home, whether you’re relocating or your clutter has slowly consumed your living spaces, most of our clients will agree that the process of decluttering and organizing is eye-opening. After completing the initial process, the clients not only have a clean and organized living environment, they also gain additional life-skills and clarity in their habits and mindset.
As we have continued to niche down here at The Modern Steward, our team’s focus will always be the overall wellbeing of the lives and homes we have the pleasure of impacting. We believe that intentionally creating and maintaining organization will add functionality & ease to your life and home. One major difference is that we prioritize educating our clients on mindsets that center around sustainability, not limited to but including consumerism, and living an intentional life that focuses on experiences rather than an overabundance of material possessions.
One lesson that I’ve learned along the way is that times change so as an entrepreneur you have to have sticktoitiveness – meaning having the ability to adhere to your morals and your mission as to why you started your business. Blinders are required at times to focus solely on who you serve and why you serve them, this will help you get through the ups and downs.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
No matter how much we fight it, Pittsburgh is an industrious city with lots of character. With that said, over the years Pittsburgh has curated quite a diverse food and art scene. Depending on the time of the year, we could eat our way through the city- Fiores Pizza is a must while taking in some of the best art museums & galleries. The Spring house tours in the Mexican War Street & Highland Park areas are some of my favorite leisure activities as well.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would be remiss if I did not shout out my husband, Larry. He has always been extremely supportive and a wonderful example of faith. He made the leap in 2013 to be an independent business owner and his transition was rather smooth. He’s the adventurous one! As I pondered my next move, I was a bit anxious…I had become comfortable after 16 years of working at the university. Also, my close girl friends who truly supported me – no shade, no jealousy, all love – they know who they are. Starting a business is hard and having close friends who you can rely on for honest, constructive feedback is not only beneficial but necessary to attain any measure of success.
Website: https://www.themodernsteward.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themodernsteward/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ModernSteward
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themodernsteward/
Image Credits
Ray Carrington Photography LeeAnn K Photography
Nominate Someone: ShoutoutAtlanta is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
