The Founders’ Award is presented to a NAPO member, or a group of NAPO members acting in concert, for outstanding innovation, inspiration, and creativity both within, and outside of, the field of professional organizing and productivity consulting. The vote of NAPO professional members determines the winner of this prestigious award. 

The NAPO Founder’s Award is evidence that your peers admire and respect your professionalism and achievements and are proud to say that you are a member of our association. What an honor! 

Q. What was the first thing that crossed your mind when your name was announced as the winner of The Founders’ Award? 

My first thought when my name was announced as the winner of the Founders’ award “….was that really my name that she called?” I was pretty stunned. 

Q. What does receiving this award mean to you? 

I love NAPO’s Founders… In 2015 I had an opportunity to interview them for a project I was doing for NAPO’s 30^th anniversary.  And so I had an opportunity to know them on a pretty deep level. Their origin story is the origin story of so many of us who enter this profession. Many of us come from someplace else. In fact, none of them when they were little, woke up one morning and said I’m going to be a professional organizer when I grow up!`         

So to be honored with an Award that was designed to exemplify the spirit of what these 5 Founding women built with their bare hands and their fertile brain … I don’t know, I just feel them with me now and it just feels really good to be in their company. 

Q. What prompted you to start your business? 

It’s a story… But basically, I was laid off from my job at UCLA, with no prospects in site, and after having spent a few days visiting a friend in Jerusalem, where I decluttered and organized her kitchen. Two months into my layoff. I told my roommate I’m going to organize until something better comes along. Clearly nothing else has. 

Q. What was your biggest fear going into business for yourself? And what are you most proud of? 

I don’t know that I was fearful… I really didn’t have that luxury. I had to eat, and I had to figure out how to make that happen. So I became a flinger. I just would fling things out there see if it would stick, and if it did, I would just move in that direction. What am I most proud of now? Well, let’s see. I’ve got a seven-figure business, published 3 books, recorded a TEDx talk, earned numerous certifications to work with people with brain-based conditions. I’ve grown a veritable queendom! 

Q. Is there a mistake you made (that you’re willing to share) when you first began organizing? 

I don’t know if I made mistakes. Like I said earlier — I’m a flinger. So I just kept doing stuff to get my name out there… I was a Groupon special a few times and I’ve heard a lot of people complain about all that hard work for all that low pay but honestly, it was like the best thing I ever did, because I learned how to talk about organizing, the value of the work that we do as organizers and upsell. 

Q. What has been your most gratifying NAPO experience? 

All of my experiences with NAPO are gratifying. I really enjoy being of service, I loved all the work I did while on the NAPO board to get the education program up and running — that was an exciting thing to see unfold. I also love being a NAPO buddy… watching new folks come into our organization and see it through their eyes. 

Q. What are you working on currently (business or NAPO)? 

I’m working with Judith Kolberg on a workbook to complement our book, “Emotional Labor: Why A Woman’s Work is Never Done, and What To Do About It.” I’m also putting a lot of time and resources into my professional speaking platform. And I will continue as co-chair of the Multi-Person Business SIG.  

Q. Do you have any advice for newer NAPO members? 

Stick with it! Never give up! Just remember, this industry will carry us through the entirety of our lives because there’s so much that we do and so many ways we can help people.  

Q. Tell us something about yourself that we would never know just from looking at you. 

Oh dear, I’m so transparent and I wear everything on my sleeve. Let’s see… I ran for office of lieutenant governor of the state of California in 1998 and received 60,000 votes. 

Congratulations again Regina! What an amazing achievement to win this prestigious award.