Sarah Deitz is an Otford local who offers decluttering and organisation services for families and small homes. We spoke to Sarah about the origins of her business, key challenges and learnings.
Why did you start Reclaim Your Space?
My home is my sanctuary. Having a home that I not only love being in, but also is set up in a way that is functional and makes my life easier has always been really important to me.
When I decided on a change of career, I knew I wanted to make a tangible difference in people’s homes, and ultimately their mental well-being, so I chose to study interior design.
But, life had other plans for me. When I graduated I was three months pregnant, so my dream of an interior design business was put on hold. During my maternity leave, while mapping out my business, I stumbled upon the world of professional organising.
It was like finding the missing puzzle piece! Not only could I design brand new kitchens for people, but I could also wave my magic wand and transform their existing homes into organised havens. I knew I had found my purpose.
What challenges have you run into and how have you overcome these?
As a solopreneur, I am my brand so it’s really important to be visible. But, it’s really scary putting yourself out there. So, I’ve had to become more resilient, embrace the unique value I bring and learn to shout it from the rooftops.
As for Covid, with most of my work being in-home services, I had to cancel most of my bookings, which meant a really big hit on my income. But it gave me an opportunity to look at diversifying my services with a stronger focus on virtual services and NDIS clients.
What have been your key learnings?
A key learning for me is that a successful business isn’t just about the money in the bank account. In fact, success is different for everyone. For me, it’s about having the flexibility to be there for my family, like attending Easter hat parades, and maintaining a sense of space and balance in my life.
And probably the biggest learning for me is realising the importance of mindset for creating a successful business. Cultivating a positive mindset and self-care practices have been instrumental in achieving my goals.
How has your business changed over the years?
Over the years I have recognised how profound the correlation is between our physical environment and our mental well-being.
As a naturally organised person, I didn’t fully appreciate how difficult it can be for some people to create and maintain a functional space, and the impact it can have on a person’s life.
Around 60% of my business is now working with NDIS participants. I’m also a Level 2 ADHD organising specialist with the ICD (Institute of Challenging Disorganisation) and I absolutely love supporting people to reclaim not just their homes, but coach them with strategies to improve their day-to-day productivity and reach their goals.
Additionally, in the last year I have started mentoring other professional organisers to support them in creating their own abundant businesses as I believe that more people need access to our valuable services to experience the positive transformation a professional organiser can bring to their lives.
This year, I am also planning to hire my first team member.
Would you do anything differently if you had a chance to do it all over again?
Well, it would have been good to recognise the impact of mindset earlier on, so that I could have pro-actively worked on over-coming some of my limiting beliefs allowing for faster growth.
However, I now know that having your own business is a personal growth journey. Through my own experiences and challenges, I have gained valuable insights and lessons that have put me in a unique position to help others. It has equipped me with the wisdom and empathy to make a positive impact on others navigating their own businesses or personal growth goals and thrive in their own journeys.
Who has helped you – any family, friends, small businesses you’d like to thank?
My family has, of course, been a major part of my journey. I’m in a privileged position in that my husband earns a good salary so we’re not solely reliant on my business income, however, one of my goals is to be able to retire my husband early [only joking].
I’m grateful to The Hope Church in Helensburgh who were an early supporter of my business. I redesigned their kitchen and did a couple of workshops as part of their MOPs program for a couple of years.
I’m also thankful for the sub-contracting work I did early on in my business with other organisers. It gave me lots of exposure to different types of jobs and ways of working as well as growing my professional network.
What advice would you give to someone who is looking to start their own business?
Having your own business can be challenging. Recognise that it’s a journey and approach it with a combination of passion, adaptability and a willingness to seek support when needed – you don’t have to do it alone. Embrace your uniqueness and let it shine through.
- Avoid getting caught up in endless planning. While planning is essential, don't let it become a roadblock to taking action. Embrace a mindset of experimentation and be open to pivoting and adapting as you gather feedback and insights from the market.
- Be flexible and attentive to the needs of your target audience. Engage in conversations with people to understand their challenges and pain points. Design your services or products around their specific needs to ensure that you offer valuable solutions.
- Seek guidance from mentors. Recognise that you can't be an expert in every aspect of business. Surround yourself with mentors who can provide valuable insights and guidance. Their expertise will help you navigate challenges, save you time and make informed decisions.
- Don't undervalue yourself. Acknowledge your worth and the unique experiences you bring to the table. Consider the skills and knowledge you have acquired from all areas of your life. We all have our own unique purposes and areas of genius, so leverage your strengths and confidently price your products or services accordingly
For more information on Reclaim Your Space, visit the website.
