“This 15-year Golden Circle NAPO member is a CPO® and has earned all five Specialist Certificates. She has been a chapter leader, a national committee chair, a NAPO board member for two terms, and a mentor to many. She’s an introvert by admission, a witty woman by choice, and an advocate for NAPO members.” – Susie Hayman, NAPO President, when presentingthe 2020 President’s Award to Lisa Mark, CPO®.

Lisa founded her business, The Time Butler Productivity & Organizing, in 2004. Lisa’s own life transitions took her from a career in high tech, to personal assistant, to business owner. Lori Reese, a member of the NAPO Awards & Recognition Committee, interviewed Lisa about her career path and NAPO experience. 

Q: How did you feel when you learned you received the award?

LM: I was floored, flummoxed, flattered and very flustered. There are just so many great people who do so much for NAPO. 

Q: Is there one particular service that you are best known for, or enjoy doing the most?

LM: I really like setting up file systems, both paper and electronic. This is always somewhat surprising to my clients and even some colleagues because most of them absolutely HATE paper. 

I also enjoy the project management aspect of large team projects like moves, office organizing, and large space organizing. And the hands-on aspect of the project itself. I try to make each week a combination of a team project, paper, long term repeat clients, and one other project. I am happiest when I am using my brain to think and my hands to do.  

Q: How has your business evolved since your started?

LM: When I started, I thought organizing was about the stuff – how to store it; how to maintain it; how to ensure it doesn’t take over your life and your space. Over time, I realized that it’s not about the stuff at all – it’s about people’s relationship to stuff. 

An epiphany moment for me was when I realized how difficult time management and productivity can be for some of my clients. I’d always thought that the reason some people are always rushing, or routinely late, or running to catch the next appointment was because they wanted to be. Or it was exciting. Or something. Then I realized that sometimes it’s really difficult for people to gain control over their time. I now work with clients to set up systems and processes to enable them to make the best possible use of time and resources. So, although I still organize stuff (and love doing it), I also provide time management and productivity services to corporate clients. 

Q:  You joined NAPO in 2006. What changes have you witnessed during your membership? 

LM: With professional organizing still an unregulated industry, NAPO membership is more important than ever. Newer, untrained, and less or not-at-all educated organizers can do a lot of unintentional damage to clients. It is more important than ever for NAPO to provide minimum industry standards and the support and camaraderie that we all need, especially when starting out. Member benefits have grown and evolved over the last 15 years since I joined. POINT is perhaps the biggest change that has occurred; before POINT we had a listserv but it was not as robust nor as well articulated as POINT. I also see increased transparency and better processes, which is a must for any successful organization.

Q: You have completed FIVE specialist certificates (awesome!).  Why?

LM: There is always more to learn and I love learning. With the specialist certificates, NAPO determined the curriculum and made it broad enough to be interesting yet specific enough to prevent overwhelm. Obtaining that certificate makes the learning process finite and much more manageable for me. 

Q: Do you have a favorite NAPO volunteer position or experience that stands out?

LM: I really liked being the National Treasurer. I learned so much, not only about the finances, but also about NAPO as a whole. From being mentored, I learned how to mentor. From strategic planning, I learned how to do a deep dive into business processes and to think more critically about running my own business. From the financials, I learned how little expenses can add up to big mistakes. I learned how to manage expectations on a budget. I learned and then refined the skills that enabled me to break into corporate organizing, something I’d wanted to do for a long time but didn’t feel equipped to even try until I served on the board. I cannot recommend a national board position highly enough – it’s a lot of work, but you get so much more out of volunteering than you put in. I learned so many things that I needed to know to become even more successful in my own business.

Q: What is your definition of success?

LM: To live a balanced, ethical, and introspective life with time for education, family, friends, self-care, while doing meaningful work for which I am appreciated and acknowledged, aptly compensated, and that fills my soul and moves me towards my goals.

This interview was conducted by Lori Reese, founder and owner of Consider It Done, LLC®, based in Harrisburg, Pa. Lori is a member of the Awards & Recognition Committee and also serves as the POINT Committee Chairperson.