Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Julia Raz.
Hi Dr. Raz, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Like many people, the pandemic allowed me to rethink my career path. What started as a hobby and passion, became something bigger than I could ever imagine. As a professor with a Ph.D. in Communication, I worked with thousands of students over the past decade at Santa Monica College and California State University, Long Beach. I am also a mom to a 6-year-old and know how challenging it is to maintain a home with kids. I understand the unique challenges of individuals from different cultures, backgrounds, and economic situations, and work to empower them with confidence in their own voices.
I started my Los Angeles, California-based organizing business in January 2021 under the name Organizing By Julia, and have since rebranded to Golden West Organizing. This new name is a tribute to my late grandfather, Jerry Golden, who was the very definition of an entrepreneur – from very humble beginnings, he was able to found a highly successful and influential mobile home company in 1965, Golden West Homes.
My initial goal was to have one client per month that I handled on my own; however, the business rapidly grew to a team of employees and was being booked out for months at a time. My initial client bases were family and friends, but since then I have had the pleasure of working with clients from a variety of backgrounds, from everyday working moms to Hollywood directors, and homes ranging from 800 square feet to 8000 square feet.
In July and August 2022, I had the opportunity to travel to St. Louis, Missouri, to declutter a virtual client’s house. We had worked together on Zoom since March 2022, and ultimately the client trusted me, and only me, to organize her house. She flew an employee of mine, Aubrey, and me, out for a full week. It was a huge milestone for the business and also incredibly meaningful.
My business has given me the opportunity to give back to my community. Our pro bono work, called Golden West Organizing Gives Back, helps local public school educators get their classrooms/supply rooms tidy and student-ready. Finally, I have had the honor of appearing on podcasts and news broadcasts, such as CNBC, Redfin, and The Minimalists Podcast.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Apart from the expected challenges of starting my own business, I have taken to this extremely well and found success rapidly. For many businesses, the pandemic was detrimental and even catastrophic; however, for my business, it had the opposite effect.
Because people were spending more time in their homes and needing to convert spaces for versatile use (e.g., work from home and homeschooling), my business was exactly what they needed. With all of the business’s rapid growth, my biggest challenge has been balancing the needs of the business with my personal responsibilities to myself and my family.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
At Golden West Organizing, we specialize in decluttering and everyday functionality. We offer organizing and unpacking services, as well as virtual coaching sessions so that you can get organized from anywhere in the world. Unlike some competitors, we do not push products on our clients.
Rather, we encourage people to keep only what they truly need in their lives rather than try to solve their clutter problems by buying more stuff. We are best known for being compassionate, understanding, and truly having our client’s best interests at the forefront of everything we do. I am proud to be a 100% word-of-mouth referral business.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out.
I recommend anyone new to this industry start out slow. Personally, I believe in bootstrapping a business–only taking on what you can financially afford to do. Also, you must believe in yourself and your business no matter what anyone else says. Don’t be surprised if you surprise yourself with how much you’re capable of.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.goldenwestorganizing.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goldenwestorganizing/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/goldenwestorganizing
- Twitter: @GWOrganizing
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZJH9ig5AC8LwVW_d1HqwTA
Image Credits
Heather Leven Photography: https://www.heatherlevenphotography.com/ and Golden West Organizing
