Tracy Ross

What do you love most about running your own business?

I always loved this question. As you know the service that I provide is both confidential and non-judgemental. These are core business values at Blissfully Organised. There are so many special moments that I cannot share with you.

Firstly, I love creating calm out of chao. When I step into a space, I can see the potential and how the space will look once we have finished organising.

Secondly, I love motivating my clients to get started with their home organisation without feeling overwhelmed.

Thirdly, I love the transformational impact that simplifying each client’s home management has on my clients wellbeing. Not only is the space easier to manage but they also have a less cluttered mind. Outer Order = Inner Order

There must have been challenges along the way, can you share any and your learnings from these?

I think that when you first set up your own business there is a lot to learn. Luckily coming from a marketing background, I knew that I had to create a business plan, do lots of market research, think about service offering, pricing, and my ideal clients. Luckily at the time I set up I had lots of support from STANTA and attended lots of free seminars and practical workshops to help me define my offering.

Networking and joining a supportive local business community was also an important part of my journey. It was so energising to meet other business owners and share ideas, talk through any challenges, and collaborate. I have met some amazing people on my journey and love seeing how their businesses have developed.

Social Media I think was one of my biggest challenges. I always try and apply the same principles to my business wherever I am. For me I try to be myself on social media, as I am with my in-person clients. Authenticity is key. It is one of the reasons why I set up a private Facebook community Becoming Blissfully Organised. I wanted a space that I could share my tips and free advice for anyone wanting to feel inspired to get started.

What tips would you give to people thinking of setting up their own business and do something they are passionate about?

My top tips are:

• Research your business idea and create a business plan. This is the best starting point.
• Ask for any support that you need.
• Outsource the things that you cannot easily do yourself to have more time to focus on your business
• Plan you time effectively to avoid feeling overwhelmed
• Find likeminded people to collaborate with.

What keeps you energised during the difficult periods?

I love this question and it is so relevant right now after the lockdown period. During lockdown I couldn’t be in my clients’ homes, so I had to pivot the business completely to offer virtual organising sessions. I have often offered a virtual service to clients who live to far away to make a in-home session feasible. But during lockdown it was the only way I could interact with clients. It worked really well, and I supported new clients in the USA, France, Denmark and Germany, in addition to my existing clients.

What keeps me energised is my belief that I provide a valuable service that can make such a big difference to my clients lives, both to their space but also boost their wellbeing. I believe that.

This motivates me to keep adapting to find new ways that I can offer support.  I am also a big planner to help balance the time that I have between work, family life and time for me.

If you could go back and give advice to your past self at the beginning of this journey – what would it be?

Just do it. Believe in yourself. It will be a journey, but the journey is part of the fun.

Who or what inspires you?

My clients always inspire me. I love finding new ways that I can support them to simplify their daily lives and home management. I am always researching new ideas, new products and focusing on the importance of mindset in everything that I do. Listening is a big part of my role as a Professional Organiser. I love that my clients have placed their trust in me to support them on their organisational journey.

What has been the best piece of advice that you’ve received along the way?

Be yourself.

I think this is so important in the role that I play as a Professional Organiser. I need to build trust quickly when meeting a new client and understand how I can best support their needs.

What would be the one piece of advice you would give to someone who wants to follow their passion and set up their own business?

Research and ask for lots of advice. There are some amazing ways of gaining support. I worked with a business mentor through the Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce that provided valuable advice when transitioning out of the lockdown.

What would be the one piece of advice that you would give to your younger self, starting out on your business journey?

You have what you need to make this happen.