Today we’d like to introduce you to Julie Cuadrado.
Julie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was born and raised in Miami, FL by a single mother and a large family. In high school, I met my husband CJ and a couple of years after graduating we welcomed our first child, Aubrey. We were told by so many people that we would never be successful after having a child so young. We knew however that we were going to make it no matter what. We worked hard every day and made sure that our daughter had all of the things we had as kids and then some. I stayed in college and started a career in banking a month after Aubrey was born. A few years later, we moved to Buford, GA. Quickly after that, I delivered our second daughter Ali. That same month my husband and his father started their own very successful company. We knew then and we know now that there is no secret to success. It’s hard work and showing up every single day no matter how tired you feel. Like my father in law always taught us “Excuses don’t pay bills.”
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My journey has had several bumps in the road. I have failed way more than I have succeeded but I have always bounced back stronger than I started. There were so many times that I thought to myself, “how am I going to do this?” or “will I prove everyone right who said I wouldn’t make it?” One of my mindset is, there’s no point in crying over spilled milk. So when I made a bad business choice or I wasn’t happy, I quickly decided what needed to be done and did it instead of complaining about the situation. I would say my biggest motivation has always been my family. My mother sacrificed so much for me and I have always tried to do the same for my girls. I learned very young that you are who you surround yourself with, so I try to spend my time with my family and friends that are a positive influence on me.
As you know, we’re big fans of Mad Neat. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I was very successful in my career but I wasn’t happy. I never had enough time to be with my kids let alone to get the practice I needed in order to start my own company. However, in 2020 that all changed, I found myself laid off with two kids at home. I almost immediately found new employment working in public health from home but I still wasn’t fully satisfied with my work. Overnight I went from working 12 hours a day sometimes to being a stay at home, part-time working mom. I used this free time to perfect my organizing system that I use for all of my clients today. That’s how I started Mad Neat last year during the pandemic. I took my passion for cleaning, organizing, and all things interior design to transform my client’s homes. What I learned was that I wasn’t just organizing. I was bringing tranquility and happiness using my perfected system. There is something about being in a space where everything has its own place. Being a home organizer means being a friend, a family therapist, an interior designer, a mediator and a negotiator all at the same time. All in all, I make people’s homes work for them instead of them working for their homes. What sets us apart from other organizing companies is that I am so adaptable and a huge people pleaser. So unlike other companies that try to use their same exact aesthetic in everyone’s home. I use a little bit of mine and a lot of my clients so that their home has one unique aesthetic that is functional, beautiful, and peaceful.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
During my childhood, we had so many family parties and gatherings consisting of loud music, dancing, singing, and eating delicious Cuban food. I loved playing canasta and dominos with my Tia and Abuela. I was very busy as a kid playing soccer and ballet from the age of 2 to 14. I was in the gifted honors program since 1st grade and later in the International Baccalaureate program which took up a lot of my time studying, doing projects or volunteering. I still found time to hang out with my friends playing outside in my neighborhood and just being carefree kids. I always say that my generation was the last generation sadly that was allowed to be outside riding bikes and climbing trees. Music was a huge part of my life, I used to burn the best playlists onto CDs and later MP3s and iPods for my friends in school. I have always been an outgoing introvert. I love meeting people and talking but I also craved time alone reading books and writing. I have written several fictional stories for fun growing up. I have always been an overachiever and because of that, I would sign up for so many extracurricular activities. I have always had a hard time sitting around doing nothing. Since I enjoyed being busy. I still find myself today very busy but also blessed.
Contact Info:
- Email: neatlymad@gmail.com
- Website: madneat.org
- Instagram: madneat
- Facebook: @neatlymad
