Small Town News

Straighten-up relieves clients of clutter

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Millsboro woman organizes homes, offices

Clutter and chaos cause stress, said Millsboro resident Rita Clark.

So in an effort to conquer clutter, she helps to organize closets, plan dinner parties and decorate for the holidays, as well as free up office space to get busy professionals back on track.

Clark recently launched Straighten-Up, and she serves clients all over Sussex County, she said.

With many new residents moving into the area, Clark also helps transplants get settled.

"I've moved so many times, both professionally and personally, I know how stressful it is," she said.

Clark moved to the Cape Region nearly two years ago, but her experience running a temporary agency for legal secretaries helps her with organizing small businesses, she said.

"For younger couples, who are both working, time is at a premium. They often don't know where to start or how to start," she said.

Through better organization, Clark said she aims to get her clients to realize how much more time they'll have if their lives, offices and closets function more efficiently. For families who are downsizing, she enables diem to better use smaller spaces.

Better time management is gained, too, when a home or office runs more smoothly, she said.

"Businesses that are not organized miss important deadlines, costing diem money. It's a loss in profitability," she said.

Clark first meets widi clients for a complimentary half-hour consultation to evaluate what needs to be done.

She approaches her job two ways. Clark can either organize by herself, or provide step-by-step guidelines, working side-by-side with clients.

Then, she comes up with an action plan that outlines her proposal Clark charges $45 an hour for a minimum of three hours. She points out that she does not provide a cleaning service, but she will tidy up rooms or file cabinets to get the unorganized headed in the right direction. Clark does not build cabinetry either, but she does show families how to make better use of their existing space. "In many cases, I free up space they probably didn't realize they have anyway," she said. Clark said she tries to leave her clients with basic organizational skills after the job is done. But if they're falling behind again, she can return to reinforce what she taught them.

"Sometimes it seems like a daunting task and much too overwhelming to begin to think about "But living in clutter and chaos causes stress and bites into already limited time. Getting organized enables us to have more time to spend with family and friends and to do other enjoyable things," she said.

To make an appointment with Clark, call 302-339-1358, or 934-9516, or visit Straighten-Up.biz.





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