EIGHT years?! Someone cue the confetti! Eight years, nearly 250 families, seven amazing organizers, and more transformations than we can even begin to count!
What started as a Facebook post and a little curiosity has grown into something we never could have imagined. And if there’s one thing I know for sure… I was MADE for this and it’s all GOD’S doing!!
As The Orderly Sort celebrates eight years in business, we’re taking a look at how it all began, how the name came about, and the journey that turned TOS from one organized entrepreneur into a growing team making a difference throughout the Triangle and beyond.
Every business has a story, and ours is one DEFINITELY worth celebrating!!
An Entrepreneur at Heart
The Orderly Sort is actually my fourth business, but working for myself has always been my preference. I’ve worked for other people, and let’s just say it’s not exactly where I thrive. I’m a natural leader who loves guiding others and helping them become the best versions of themselves.
For me, organizing has always been about more than making things look pretty. I have a passion for transforming homes into spaces that are more functional, more orderly, and simply easier to live in. Because when your home works better for you, everyday life can feel a whole lot easier!
Wait… Professional Organizing Is a Real Job?!
Believe it or not, I didn’t even know professional organizing was a legitimate career when my journey began.
I made a Facebook post expressing interest in becoming a virtual assistant. I figured I was pretty organized and could help someone run their business. One commenter noticed that little detail and asked the magic question that changed everything: “Have you ever considered becoming a professional organizer?”
She shared a YouTube channel about running a professional organizing business, and I binge-watched every video (no, really). I also joined a mastermind group to learn more and start putting the pieces together.
Honestly, the signs had been there all along. Growing up, I kept my bedroom practically museum-worthy, with everything in its perfect little spot. I was OBSESSED with Barbies, and those girls stayed in immaculate condition. Their hair stayed done, their tiny high heels stayed accounted for, and everything had its home. Let’s just say my organizing superpowers didn’t miraculously appear overnight!
From Penny Oakes Professional Home Organizing To The Orderly Sort
Naming my business was a whole adventure of its own. Every name I considered seemed to be taken, so my mastermind group encouraged me to start with what I had: my own name.
I created an infographic in Canva, posted it to my personal Facebook page, and waited to see what would happen. Within just TWO days, I had my first client! That was November 2, 2018… the day my professional organizing journey officially began.
I built the business from the ground up, creating my own SquareSpace website and handling all the marketing, management, and just about everything else behind the scenes. As more clients came along, I quickly realized I needed more help, so I began bringing assistant organizers with me to jobs. Before long, the business was growing beyond a one-woman operation!
With that growth came the realization that it was time for a rebrand. I had never truly loved having my own name attached to the business, so when I hired someone to redesign my website and help explore branding options, I knew the right name as soon as I saw it.
The Orderly Sort.
It clicked immediately! I started using the name and filed to have it trademarked in Fall of 2020!
Eight Years of Big Changes (And A LOT of Sorting)
Fast-forward to today, and The Orderly Sort has grown from just me to a team of seven organizers. Together, we’ve served close to 250 families across the Triangle, helping people reclaim their spaces, simplify their routines, and make their home more manageable and more beautiful with decor.
And we haven’t exactly stayed put, either! Our organizing adventures have taken us to Wilmington and out of state to Virginia, Louisiana, and Alabama. Next up?? FLORIDA, where we’ll be putting our creative talents to work decorating Christmas trees!!
From everyday home organizing, to projects that take us on the road, every transformation is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in someone’s daily life. I’m SO incredibly proud of how far we’ve come and the people we’ve been able to help along the way!
The Best Part? It’s About More Than Just Stuff
Ask me what I love most about this business, and my answer comes down to the transformations. I absolutely LOVE seeing a good before-and-after, but even more than that, I love the peace and order those changes bring to my clients’ lives.
A more functional home can mean less frustration, easier routines, and more room to enjoy the things that actually matter. That’s what makes this work so amazing… and why after eight years, I can honestly say this is my favorite job and favorite business I’ve ever owned.
I also know I haven’t built this alone. I’m SO grateful to God for the talents He’s given me and for the incredible organizers who make up my team. I trust them to do fantastic work, and I love that they bring friendliness, personality, and relatability to every client experience. Every one of my organizers is a mom, including homeschool moms, so they understand the clutter, busy schedules, and everyday reality that comes with having kids. They’re truly a special group, and I’m thankful to have them alongside me!
Looking back, it’s pretty remarkable to think that one Facebook post led to a business that has now helped nearly 250 families. What began with a spark of curiosity and willingness to learn, and a knack for keeping things in their place has grown into a team effort that reaches far beyond one home… or even one state.
I’m SO proud of how far The Orderly Sort has come, and I’m just as excited about what’s ahead. My outlook on the future is simple: unless Jesus comes down and tells me to stop, The Orderly Sort is going to keep rolling until the wheels fall off!
So here’s to eight years of making spaces better, bringing a little more peace into people’s homes, bringing beauty into client’s home with decor, and proving that sometimes the biggest business ideas start with one unexpected question.
Thank you to each and every client who has trusted me and my team with your home, every organizer who has been a part of my journey, and everyone who has cheered us on along the way. I’m SO grateful you’re part of The Orderly Sort story, and I can’t wait to see what we sort out next!
The Orderly Sort offers home organizing, decluttering, unpacking and home set up services for those who have moved into a new home, as well as event and holiday decorating in Wake Forest, North Carolina and beyond.