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Organizing Career: Get PAID to Take Their Stuff!

Organizing Career: Get PAID to Take Their Stuff!

Author: Time We Discuss May 3, 2026 Duration: 24:52
Time We Discuss | Career Exploration Podcast with Real Professionals and Real Stories
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What does it really take to turn decluttering into a business? And is being a professional organizer as simple as it sounds?

In this episode of Time We Discuss, I sit down with Mary Ellen Lundy, founder of An Eco Organized Approach®, to break down what it is really like working as a professional organizer and removal expert.

From helping clients reclaim their spaces to giving unwanted items a second life in the community, Mary Ellen has built a unique, eco friendly organizing business that goes far beyond just cleaning up clutter.

We talk about how she turned a simple skill into a thriving business, the emotional side of decluttering, and what you need to know if you are considering this as a career.

In this episode, we discuss:

  • What a professional organizer actually does day to day
  • How Mary Ellen built her business from scratch
  • The eco friendly approach to decluttering and removal
  • Why sentimental items are the hardest to let go of
  • The physical and emotional challenges of the job
  • Opportunities in the organizing and decluttering industry
  • What it really takes to succeed in this career

About Mary Ellen:

Mary Ellen Lundy is the founder of An Eco Organized Approach®, a business dedicated to helping people reclaim their spaces while keeping items out of landfills. Her team works directly with local communities to repurpose and redistribute items to those in need.

Thinking about becoming a professional organizer?

This episode gives you a real look at the pros, cons, and realities of the job so you can decide if this is the right career path for you.

Subscribe for more career insights:

If you are exploring career paths and want to know what jobs are really like, make sure to subscribe for more episodes of Time We Discuss.

Timestamp:
0:00 - Intro
0:39 - What is a professional organizer and removal expert?
1:56 - Throw away, recycle, donate, second life
3:55 - From a Master's in Education to starting a business
5:37 - Getting a first client in the professional organizer business
7:52 - Business woman and mom as a role-model
8:43 - Removing items that are hard to get rid of
12:07 - Opportunities for a removal expert and professional organizing business
14:26 - Bridging the gap for business skills
17:45 - Speaking professionally
19:08 - How competitive is the home organizing industsry?
21:27 - Barriers to entry - be aware of this
23:18 - Shout out to Web Designer Liz Theresa
23:49 - Talent has the floor
24:27 - Outro

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Guest Information:

Mary Ellen Lundy

Also Mentioned Directly or Indirectly in This Episode:

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Original Music: Original Music furnished by Dan Swift
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Figuring out what you want to do for a living is one of life's biggest puzzles, and Time We Discuss tackles it by bringing real voices into the conversation. Instead of abstract advice, each episode sits down with people who are actually doing the jobs you might be curious about. You'll hear the unvarnished details of their daily routines, the challenges they didn't see coming, and the moments that make their work worthwhile. This podcast moves beyond glossy job descriptions to explore the practical realities of different paths, from traditional professions to less conventional roles. Whether you're a student weighing college against direct entry into the workforce, someone considering a complete pivot, or simply fascinated by how other people spend their working hours, these discussions offer grounded insights. The focus is on career discovery through honest storytelling, providing a resource that feels more like a series of candid conversations than a formal guide. By listening, you gather the nuanced, firsthand information needed to make more informed decisions about your own professional journey.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

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Time We Discuss | Career Exploration Podcast with Real Professionals and Real Stories
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