Today we’d like to introduce you to Debra Farnell
Hi Debra, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I have always been an organized person when it comes to my personal spaces and home. Growing up, I was passionate about fashion and interior design and loved following runway fashion as it translated to mainstream fashion and interiors. With a love for both, I found myself at the Fashion Institute of Technology where I earned an associate’s degree in Fashion Merchandising. I was fortunate to be there at the time when a new program, Home Products Development and Marketing, had just been created and I couldn’t resist. I loved the idea of learning about all things home, as well as being part of a program that literally didn’t exist anywhere else. Our professors were all current industry leaders and we were lucky enough to be located in the heart of it all. After graduation, I found myself back in St. Louis where I worked in various retail environments as well as a brief time in meeting and event planning. It wasn’t until 2018-19 when Marie Kondo was in her peak popularity – teaching the world the importance of decluttering and organizing – that I knew what I wanted to do. In 2019 I, along with an acquaintance with the same dream, launched 2B Organized St. Louis.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
2B Organized St. Louis officially launched at the end of 2019. While we were just trying to get our feet wet and our name out there, the Covid pandemic happened. At the time, it was a very difficult challenge. People were scared and generally did not want strangers in their homes. We did not stop doing what we could to get our name out there. We focused more on social media, which helped us continue to build a following as well as educate our audience on the benefits of home organization. Additionally, we used this time to really lean into educating ourselves further about our industry and sharpening our business skills. In the end, what began as a challenge turned out to be a reward. As people were forced to live and work from their homes, the problem areas that they had been avoiding or not seeing became more evident. People were taking more pride in their homes and were ready to improve how they lived and worked in their space. The benefits – financially as well as mentally – to having an organized home is worth the initial investment.
We’ve been impressed with 2B-Organized St. Louis, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
2B Organized offers unparalleled attention to detail and a personalized approach to every aspect of your space, so it’s perfectly tailored to your unique needs and preferences.
Our organizing experts recognize the significance of creating spaces that are both beautiful and flawlessly functional, enabling you to enjoy your home to its fullest potential.
Our goal is to provide you with stunning, yet simple, organizational systems that you and your family can easily enjoy and maintain in your daily lives.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
It takes time to build something. Be aware of the initial time investment. Being an entrepreneur is the hardest job there is. It is also the most rewarding, in my opinion. Surround yourself with people who are smart, driven and willing to share their experiences and knowledge with you. Interestingly enough, I have found that the industry of Professional Organizing, which is predominantly female, has a culture of helping and teaching each other vs. competing. The idea that there is enough work out there for everyone and that we all have our own specialties makes it an industry that I am happy to be a part of.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://2b-organized.com/2b-organized-st-louis-missouri/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/2borganizedstlouis/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/2BOrganizedSTL2/
