Today, we’d like to introduce you to Kate Swenson.
Kate, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
It’s been quite a journey. At 23, I moved to Atlanta from a small town in Connecticut to work in the television industry. I began my marketing career at one of the top national TV networks, where I honed my skills as a marketer while having the opportunity to travel and meet and work with network executives, producers, and TV celebrities.
After 19 years of amazing opportunities, the network dynamics started to change, and as an individual, I was changing in terms of my overall life goals. I started wondering what else was out there, what I could do to help others, and how I could impact society. Just shy of my 20th anniversary at the network, I resigned. No job lined up and no idea what I was going to do. I knew it was time to start a new chapter. I remember waking up after my last day at work and thinking, I have nothing to do; who am I, and what will I do now?
At 43, I ventured into the unknown, searching out my next chapter of life. I love animals, so I started a non-profit called BC2A (Bring Change 2 Animals). I found myself helping animals financially but not earning enough money to pay my mortgage. I cut my expenses, sold my house, and moved back into my townhouse. Not long after I moved back into the townhouse, a couple of my friends, 1 of whom is a realtor and the other a landlord, reached out to me asking me if I could assist with a personal rental property and a client’s home.
They both knew I enjoyed organizing my own home and knew I wasn’t working and had time on my hands! I accepted the challenge. My first client told me I had a special talent and asked if I would start an actual business! I told her I didn’t know. She then posted a review on Angie’s List about my service, and the calls started trickling in. It was slow initially, and I remember jumping off my chair every time a call came in that I didn’t recognize!
No matter where I was, I would stop what I was doing and answer the phone. I had no idea nine years later that ORDER by Kate would be a successful small business. My group of fabulous girlfriends was my initial focus group. I asked them, in a group text, what the name of my organizing company should be, and viola, ORDER by Kate was born!
Thinking back, there was an event that I attended in my 30s that changed my way of thinking and created so much excitement about starting my own business. I flew to Los Angeles to attend a Loral Langemeier Live Out Loud workshop. Loral is an inspiration and a leading entrepreneurial thought leader. I remember her saying one of her goals when she first started her journey was to take home at least $10,000 a month. I thought, wow!
$10k a month I would love to take home $10k a month. It was all about goals and living smarter, being your own boss, and taking control of your destiny. Her workshop made me think about my talents and passions. What was I good at? How could I monetize my talent, and what was I passionate about? Where did I want to be in 5 years? In 10 years? She asked a few questions during her workshop.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It wasn’t easy getting started. I booked two clients per week, which equated to 12 hours per week. My first business mentor pushed me to book at least 40 hours per week, to add other team members, and to network and partner with various movers and shakers, including Realtors, Interior Designers, Builders, etc.
It’s not always what you know but who you know, which is absolutely true in the service industry. I needed to network, so I hit the road and met with potential strategic partners. Everywhere I went, I would talk about ORDER by Kate and how ORDER by Kate was going to be the number 1 Professional Organizing company in Atlanta, helping clients create order in their homes and making lives easier during the moving process!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
ORDER by Kate is a luxury home organizing company specializing in move management and home organization. We are the preeminent home organizing company in Atlanta and N. Fulton. We specialize in preparing homes for the market, decluttering homes, packing up and unpacking, and organizing homes. We also stage homes with existing furnishings. Our goal is to create order in homes and make moving less overwhelming for new homeowners.
Making others feel at peace and happier while doing what I love and what my team loves is the ultimate dream come true. Our clients include CEOs, professionals, sports and entertainment celebs, and families of all sizes. We service areas from Decatur, Midtown, and Buckhead up to Alpharetta and Milton and surrounding areas. We also travel nationally. Our clients trust us to take care of their belongings and know that our team of Organizers will ease their stress and give them peace of mind. No judgment zones!
Next year, ORDER by Kate will be 10! I am thankful for my team of talented women, who ‘wow’ our clients every day, and I am thankful to my friends, business mentors, financial mentors, and strategic partners who have supported me and ORDER by Kate along the way. The best is yet to come!
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most important lesson I have learned along my journey is that passion and the willingness to help others bring happiness and success. Have a passion for what you do. Do what makes you happy and do something that makes you feel good.
Something that helps people helps society, and gives back. Do whatever it takes to get the job done and done right. If you do it with grace and utilize your talents to help others and bring happiness to others, you will have a sense of accomplishment. Don’t focus on money; focus on what you love to do, and the money will follow.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.orderbykate.com
- Instagram: @orderbykateofficial
- Facebook: Facebook.com/orderbykate
- Linkedin: linkedin/orderbykate
