Kansas City-based professional organizer whips space into shape
As a professional organizer, Tracy Hoth has seen a variety of offices and households in various states of disarray. Regardless of the client, however, Hoth says the most common organizational problem she encounters is paper.
“Everybody has paper issues,” she says.
To combat those, Hoth relies on her go-to organizing supply: a portable action file.
“When you bring paper into the house, it needs to have a place to go so it doesn’t sit in a pile,” she says. “A portable action file is a temporary place for all of the papers to go until they’re put in their permanent place or thrown away.”
An example of Hoth's Portable Action File.
Hoth has owned her professional organizing business, Simply Squared Away, for about three and a half years, and says she’s always known that she wanted to organize.
When Hoth begins working with a client, the first thing she does is an assessment as she tours the space.
“I ask lots of questions to learn what’s working and what’s not working, learn what their goals are, and find out what would they want to happen if they could have the perfect outcome,” she says. “I can give them a general estimate of about how long the project will take, and from there we schedule organizing sessions.”
As Hoth tackles an organizing project, she relies on resources from The Container Store, See Jane Work, Organized Living and Stacks and Stacks to help get the job done. She also uses basic supplies such as a tape measure, label maker, trash bags and Post-It notes.
When Hoth isn't organizing, she also works as a professional speaker.
Although it’s not surprise that most clients are typically daunted by the task ahead, Hoth says she sometimes experiences a feeling of being overwhelmed. The best way to combat it? Break a task up into small steps.
“One time I organized a garage and was so overwhelmed when we were getting ready to start,” she says. “I couldn’t imagine doing it alone. I kept saying to myself, ‘One thing at a time. One step at a time.’ I like to finish one area at a time so that you can go back to that area, experience the great feeling of having it done and know you are making progress.”
For more information about Simply Squared Away or to inquire about Hoth’s services, visit www.simplysquaredaway.com.
Where to organize
Some areas of your home are more prone to disarray than others. The most common areas in need of decluttering and organization include:
*Basement
*Garage
*Attic
*Home office
*Kitchen
On the Agenda
Altered States: Adult Winter Reading Program, through March 13: How’s this for an incentive to finish some winter reading? Finish five books by March 13 and you’ll receive a free coffee mug and be entered to win a Nook e-reader. The theme of this year’s Adult Winter Reading Program is “Altered States,” including classics such as “Lord of the Flies,” “The Road” and “The Man in the High Castle.” Visit www.kclibrary.org/reading2011 to download your official reading log and check out book recommendations.
Benefit Performance of “The Vagina Monologues,” 7 p.m., Feb. 17: The University of Missouri-Kansas City presents a student performance of this famed play at the Student Union Theatre (5100 Cherry St., Kansas City.) Tickets are $15 for students and $20 for non-students at the door, and all proceeds benefit the UMKC Violence Prevention Response Project and V-Day’s 2011 spotlight campaign. For more information, visit http://www.umkc.edu/womenc/vday2011.asp.
YFA Art Trivia Smackdown, 6-9 p.m., Feb. 18: Want to test your trivia skills? Round up some friends and head to The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (4525 Oak St., Kansas City) for a Young Friends of Art competition. Questions include art, general Kansas City trivia and movies. Prizes will be awarded for best team name, round winners and overall winners. Entry is $12.50 and includes pizza. A cash bar is available. Visit http://www.nelson-atkins.org for more information and to purchase tickets.
Betsey Johnson Trunk Show, 8 p.m., Feb. 18: Craving a dose of spring fashion? Head to Luna (1520 Grand Blvd.) for a Betsey Johnson trunk show that will highlight the spring line. Once you’ve planned your wardrobe, dance the night away to the sounds of DJ Shaun Duval. Visit www.lunakc.com for details.
AMC Best Picture Showcase, 10 a.m., Feb. 19: The first half of AMC’s Best Picture Showcase begins Saturday with “Toy Story 3,” “127 Hours,” “The Kids Are All Right,” “True Grit” and “The Fighter.” The second half of the showcase will be held Feb. 26. Admission for both days is $60 and includes a $20 concession gift card. Single-day passes are $35 and come with a $10 gift card. For participating locations and more information, visit http://www.amctheatres.com/bps.
–Katy Ryan
Photos in lead story courtesy of Tracy Hoth
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