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Let’s clear something up right away: a Professional Organizer is not just someone who likes bins and labels. This isn’t about rolling your socks into sushi and calling it a lifestyle. Real organizing—the kind people actually pay for—is part strategy, part psychology, and part logistics miracle.
Enter Kelsey Nodgaard, a Professional Organizer based in Omaha, Nebraska and founder of Smart Move Organizing. She’s not here to judge your junk drawer. She’s here to help you take control of your home—with less stress, more structure, and systems that finally stick.
We asked Kelsey to explain what she actually does—and in her words, not ours. The result? An honest, behind-the-scenes look at one of the most quietly life-changing professions around.
No two days look the same when you’re organizing professionally—and no, it’s not all The Container Store and before-and-afters.
“As a Professional Organizer, a typical day can really vary depending on the schedule,” Kelsey says. “Some days are spent on consultations and administrative work, while others involve hands-on organizing at a client’s home.”
She’s not just showing up with a tape measure and a dream.
“When working with clients, I start by getting to know them and their needs. I take measurements of their space and present product options if needed. I always recommend decluttering before purchasing any organizing products—often, once items are pared down, fewer products are needed.”
When she’s not in a client’s home, she’s doing everything else that keeps her business thriving.
“Behind the scenes, I work on SEO for my website, social media content, and email marketing,” she says. “There’s always something to do to attract new clients and maintain relationships with current and past ones.”
And she takes continuing education seriously. “I dedicate time to learning and growing in my field,” she adds. “That includes continuing education through NAPO and staying connected with my professional organizing coaching group, Inspired Organizers.”
If you’re unfamiliar, NAPO stands for the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals—a leading organization that provides training, ethics, and certification for professionals in this field. Yes, organizing is a real profession. And yes, the good ones are highly trained.
Kelsey’s clients aren’t calling for one junk drawer. They’re calling because their home has become a stress loop—and they’re ready for it to stop.
“I specialize in home organizing, helping clients manage their belongings and create systems that work for their daily lives,” she says.
That means everything from kitchens to garages. “I organize spaces like kitchens, pantries, closets, laundry rooms, bathrooms, kids' rooms, playrooms, craft rooms, garages, and more—any area that feels overwhelming or unmanageable.”
Her clients don’t just want a tidier space. They want relief.
Professional Organizers are often the first people clients call during major transitions—moves, renovations, downsizing, rebuilding. They make overwhelming situations manageable.
“Many clients come to me during life transitions like home renovations or new builds,” Kelsey says. “I help them declutter before the move, decide what to bring, and then unpack and organize in their new home.”
The result? Calm. Momentum. Clarity. “This saves them time, reduces stress, and helps them settle in faster.”
Organizers don’t just tidy your space. They remove friction from your day-to-day life.
“I offer packages that allow me to tackle multiple spaces without sending a separate bill for each session,” Kelsey says. “This gives clients peace of mind and ongoing support.”
She also manages the tasks that clients often don’t have capacity for. “I handle product sourcing—either recommending items or shopping on their behalf—and ensure everything fits their style and needs,” she says. “Additionally, I offer donation drop-offs to take that extra task off their plate.”
At AnyDrawer, we see this kind of support firsthand. Many of our Professional Organizer partners use our platform to design custom drawer inserts for their clients—solutions built specifically around what that person owns, how they use their space, and what’s actually going to make their day feel simpler.
Because real organization isn’t about buying more stuff. It’s about making what you already have work better.
Forget cookie-cutter solutions. The best organizing systems are completely personal.
“I always start by asking clients how they function best and what they need from their space,” Kelsey says.
“Some clients are easily distracted or overwhelmed, so working one-on-one and guiding them through each step is the most effective approach. Others prefer to declutter on their own and just need help creating systems that work.”
Her goal? “To meet them where they are and tailor the experience to make their life easier and more functional.”
This is where good organizing becomes great: it adapts to you.
There’s no separating the emotional side of organizing from the work itself. That’s why the best organizers bring compassion to the process—not pressure.
“I approach it with compassion and patience,” Kelsey says. “When a client becomes emotional—whether they’ve found an obituary, a sentimental item, or are simply overwhelmed by the process—I give them the time and space they need to process those feelings.”
That emotional trust is everything. “I take the time to get to know each client and make sure they feel heard and supported,” she says. “Organizing is about more than just stuff; it’s about helping people through life transitions, whether they’re joyful or difficult. Building that trust and connection is a big part of what makes the process meaningful—and successful.”
A common myth? That anyone with a label maker can do this work.
“One common misconception is that organizing isn’t a real profession—that anyone can do it,” Kelsey says. “In reality, Professional Organizers bring expertise, strategy, and experience to create systems that are both functional and sustainable for each client.”
And yes—it’s an investment. But the returns are practical, emotional, and long-lasting.
“Many clients find that it saves them time, reduces stress, and helps them avoid costly mistakes or duplicate purchases.”
Hiring a Professional Organizer isn’t a luxury. It’s a service that gives you your space—and your time—back.
Kelsey didn’t start in organizing. She started in science and education.
“My background is in science and education—I studied biology in college, worked as a middle and high school science teacher, and later as a high school school counselor,” she says.
That mix of problem-solving and emotional support shapes everything she does today.
“That experience in teaching, problem-solving, and supporting people through transitions directly influences how I work with clients today,” she says. “It helps me create systems that are not only practical, but easy to maintain and tailored to each individual.”
They help you create a home that supports your life—not one that overwhelms it.
They bring structure where there’s stress. They create clarity where there’s chaos. And they do it all with empathy, adaptability, and deep expertise.
Or as Kelsey says: “Organizing is about more than just stuff; it’s about helping people through life transitions.”
Many of our AnyDrawer Partners are Professional Organizers just like Kelsey—experts who combine hands-on help with custom solutions like drawer inserts, product sourcing, and full-space systems tailored to your home.
If you’re ready for a space that works better—because it was built around you—start by finding an AnyDrawer Partner in your area.
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