Meet Michelle Parravani | Professional Organizer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Michelle Parravani and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Michelle, how does your business help the community?
We are a sustainable company. We do our best to keep everything we can from the landfill by recycling, upcycling, and donating back into the community. We partner with local charities and recycling centers to ensure our clients unwanted belongings are responsibly managed.
We are huge advocates of 2nd Life in Avondale as all the proceeds from donations go to local animal shelters. A cause close to my heart.
The men’s shelter,
Scrap Atlanta,
Habitat for Humanity Restore are all great options.

We also list on Nextdoor and Facebook Buy Nothing groups
For recycling, we frequent Charm Live Thrive

When working within a client’s home, we try to use products already in the home, if we purchase anything new we always opt for organizers made from recycled materials or sustainably sourced wood. Avoiding plastic is our main mission along with reducing waste.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I really think what set us apart from other organizers is our focus on sustainability. It’s very important to us to make sure, with all of the donations and “trash” we get from our clients homes that we give back to the community and not take the easy way out and add to the landfill. The resources that we have now are endless, so there is no excuse. There’s always a home for something.
I’ve learned along the way that this business is actually more of a mental health service than it is just decluttering and making things look pretty. Our clients get bogged down by all of their possessions, not realizing how much of a toll it takes on them mentally. Walking into your home after a long day at work and seeing endless piles of clutter is just another way to add more stress to your life. The goal should be to exhale when you walk through the door and be at peace in your home. I’ve learned that over consumption has profound implications for both our physical spaces and our mental health. I’ve always known over consumption was/is an issue that most Americans face but I had no idea to what degree until a few years into this business. I really believe we spend the first half of our lives accumulating “stuff’ and the second half wondering why and trying to figure out how to get rid of it. There’s any old saying…What you buy now for $200, you’ll sell next year in a yard sale for $2. It’s true. Ive learned to be intentional about my purchases.

I came to this country when I was 19 as an au pair from the UK. I spent most of my adult life working in a personal assistant/Nanny role. I took what I learned in those roles and applied it to starting my own business as a Professional Organizer here in Atlanta. I have a professional organizing partner and we for the most part go on jobs together. We both take on different roles depending on the clients personality. Building the business in the beginning was really difficult as I continued in my full-time job while developing the business. Being single and solely relying on myself as a single income can be really tricky to navigate. I learnt the ins and outs of marketing through networking and stepping outside of the box, learning things that I never knew, I had the capacity to learn, I managed to grow the business into a full time Professional Organizing company.

I want people to know that your space doesn’t have to become a landfill. By making intentional consumer choices we can avoid having to worry about where our things go when we are done with them. If you have made those choices and you do have too much stuff, there’s always somebody, less fortunate that can use your unwanted belongings. Always remember to give yourself some grace. You didn’t get to this point overnight. Start small.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Always a walk down the beltline to PCM, maybe stop by the skate but definitely hopping in the freight elevator and riding to the top of the market for some fun games and a little crazy golf while enjoying looking over the city. Pullman yards for whatever event they have on, right now it’s the opera. My favourite, favourite thing to do is catch a AU game at The Benz where I’m a season ticket holder.
Barcelona wine bar for some Tapas and Sober Social for a few mocktails. Oh and Vin Atlanta, another fave.
Catch a Yoga class at M3on Dekalb Ave or a kickboxing class at Roundhouse or X3 sports.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have so many people thank:
Melissa Klug from The Pro Organizers Studio podcast and Inspired Organizer course and group, for her knowledge, expertise and dedication to our worldwide network of Professional organizers.
Bridget Flynn my accountability partner. Bridget keeps me on my toes and pushes me to accomplish the things that I never really thought I could. Not only this but the lady cracks me up!
Savannah Samples my mentor and friend. I never really thought a person 19 years my junior would be a mentor to me, but Savannah’s grit, hard work and kindness is something I aspire to. She has introduced to me so many inspiring entrepreneurs. I’m forever grateful.
Saffron Hitchings my pro organizing partner, makes me laugh and challenges to keep going everyday. Working with her is a joy. I’m honored that she’s my friend and co worker. As two Brits working together the inside jokes are endless.

Website: https://Www.designingwithless.com

Instagram: https://Www.instagram.com/designing_with_less

Linkedin: HTTPS://www.linkedin.com/in/michelleparravani

Facebook: Https://facebook.com/designingwithless

Youtube: https://YouTube.com/@designingwithless

Image Credits
Jill Case from Little Wing Visuals