Who I Am
Working with you to manage the Business of Life…because
we all can use a helping hand.
My niche is paper.* I love it (and that’s why I’m good at it). I’ve organized garages, kitchens, closets, and kids’ rooms, but I always light up when paper overload is what needs attention. From my years as an administrative assistant making executives look and feel organized, I know how to create systems that others can then follow. Keeping track of important details and sorting them as needed is something I really like to do, but I know many people who would rather [insert any other painful activity here].
Bookkeeping for the home and small business is part of my services package as a smart solution to keep financial data organized. Shoes on a shelf, numbers in Quicken; I encourage clients to adopt an accounting software application, whether on Mac or PC (but I’ll tell them why I prefer Mac). As a member of the American Association of Daily Money Managers (AADMM), I stay connected with best practices and abide by their code of ethics. I’m also a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) since 2004. Their code of ethics remains a touchstone in my practice with clients as well.
In organizing my own life, I make sure to include healthy food, dance and yoga, and time with friends and colleagues. I was the secretary of the board in 2014/15 and the treasurer of the board in 2015/16 for NAPO-SFBA, our association’s regional chapter. I also serve on the board of a conscious dance community (we run a fabulous summer camp, check it out).
I was born in New York, grew up in Florida, moved back to Manhattan, and then to the magical world of San Francisco. I live in Berkeley with in-house tech support, who also happens to be my wonderful and talented husband. I’m grateful every day for beauty and freedom in the Bay Area and in my life.
* Paper isn’t going away, although we’ll do all we can to go paperless, diminish the piles, use digital storage, and get off lists. Here are some things you can do right now to reduce your junk mail and calls.
“I feel comfortable, safe and secure working with Susan around sensitive emotional areas like money, expenses, income, taxes, and the clutter of papers, books, clothes, and other stuff that I need to organize.”
“Susan, gently and clearly, helps me separate the wheat from the chaff. She helps me reach through my piles of denial and shame with just the right blend of humor, truth and encouragement.”
