Who are we?
Glad you asked!
Karen started her Mess Masters organizing business in 2010 to augment her successful real estate consulting career. She had a desire to help others in a more tangible way.
Karen graduated from Bowling Green State University with degrees in International Business and Selling & Sales Management and an MBA from Ball State University. She has been working in the retail & commercial real estate industries for over 30 years and has had her own consulting business for over 20 years.
In her consulting business, she routinely takes documentation from clients from many different sources and very methodically sorts through it then puts it into a software program, which allows for the information to be presented in an orderly summary with support schedules to provide more detail. Many of the projects are very detail-oriented, large and time-consuming yet not overwhelming to Karen. She has done extensive coaching and training over the years as well. Her skill-set in working projects like a jigsaw puzzle – patiently, systematically, one piece at a time – translates well into the business of helping people organize their homes while at the same time providing the “personal touch.”
In many ways, Karen has been organizing her whole life. As the middle of 5 children, she was usually assigned the task of helping clean her siblings’ rooms. She often assisted with “spring cleaning” projects like cleaning out the garage or basement. Over the years when friends needed help moving, she was often the first to volunteer. And, she has helped sort, organize and clean out living spaces for several family members who have needed to move or downsize. Karen has been married for 23 years and raised a family so has managed and organized her own homes (in Chicago and Chattanooga) as well.
Favorite quote: “There’s a place for everything, everything in its place.” – Ben Franklin.
Karen has been a member of the National Association of Professional Organizing (NAPO) and Chicago NAPO Chapter since 2010. She attended the National Conference in 2010.
Karen graduated from Bowling Green State University with degrees in International Business and Selling & Sales Management and an MBA from Ball State University. She has been working in the retail & commercial real estate industries for over 30 years and has had her own consulting business for over 20 years.
In her consulting business, she routinely takes documentation from clients from many different sources and very methodically sorts through it then puts it into a software program, which allows for the information to be presented in an orderly summary with support schedules to provide more detail. Many of the projects are very detail-oriented, large and time-consuming yet not overwhelming to Karen. She has done extensive coaching and training over the years as well. Her skill-set in working projects like a jigsaw puzzle – patiently, systematically, one piece at a time – translates well into the business of helping people organize their homes while at the same time providing the “personal touch.”
In many ways, Karen has been organizing her whole life. As the middle of 5 children, she was usually assigned the task of helping clean her siblings’ rooms. She often assisted with “spring cleaning” projects like cleaning out the garage or basement. Over the years when friends needed help moving, she was often the first to volunteer. And, she has helped sort, organize and clean out living spaces for several family members who have needed to move or downsize. Karen has been married for 23 years and raised a family so has managed and organized her own homes (in Chicago and Chattanooga) as well.
Favorite quote: “There’s a place for everything, everything in its place.” – Ben Franklin.
Karen has been a member of the National Association of Professional Organizing (NAPO) and Chicago NAPO Chapter since 2010. She attended the National Conference in 2010.