The Clutter Conversations
A podcast for anyone who has ever dealt with clutter, personally or professionally.
The Clutter Conversations
From Retail to Leadership: Hadiyah Alexander's Inspiring Journey with NAPO
Ever wondered how someone transitions from a retail job at the Container Store to leading a state-wide chapter of a national organization? Meet Hadiyah Alexander, the newly appointed president of the Arizona chapter of NAPO, as she takes us through her incredible journey on Clutter Conversations. From her humble beginnings to becoming a professional organizer and entrepreneur, Hadiyah shares her fascinating experiences with Home Sweet Home—where she helps tech professionals declutter before big moves. Learn how she manages her whirlwind schedule, balancing her bustling business with her new leadership role.
Hadiyah’s story is not just about professional growth; it’s about breaking barriers and finding inner strength. As the first Black president of NAPO's Arizona chapter, she openly discusses the emotional rollercoaster of stepping into such a significant position. Hear firsthand how self-care rituals like meditation and prayer helped her conquer self-doubt and embrace her potential. Hadiyah’s insights offer a raw and inspiring look into the transformative power of leaving unfulfilling roles to fully invest in oneself.
We also touch on the significance of maintaining strong client relationships and the satisfaction Hadiyah finds in creating organized spaces, especially her favorite—coffee stations. Plus, we introduce our Clutter Conversations group on social media.
Don't miss out on this compelling conversation packed with valuable insights and inspiration!
For more information or to schedule a FREE consult call with Katie, be sure to check out KCH Organizers!
Hey friends, welcome back to the Clutter Conversations. I'm Katie. With KCH Organizers, I had the opportunity to talk with newly appointed president of the Arizona chapter of NAPO president of the Arizona chapter of NAPO, hadiyah Alexander, and she talked about stepping up as a form of self-care. Let's jump into the conversation. Welcome back to the Clutter Conversations.
Speaker 1:Today I have a very special guest, yet another person that I met at our NAPO Summit 2024. And we were sitting next to each other and she had a name badge on, like an official one, which I thought, oh my gosh. I got to talk to her because I want a name tag too, and I was just. It sparked an interest and I found out that this woman is. She's been working at the business for 10 years, much like myself, but she started at the container store and started interacting with other professional organizers. I know it's so cliche, but it's yeah. I mean, it is our Mecca Between that and IKEA. I feel like you're with your people. So she worked at the container store for three years, correct? Yes, yes, she worked at the container store for three years, correct?
Speaker 2:Yes, yeah.
Speaker 1:And the work at the container store led her to not only work with clients in her state of Arizona, but also she travels. So she gets to do like all the cool things. But in her spare time she also stepped up to be the chapter president of the entire NAPO state of Arizona. She's like, yeah, that's something I can do. And that is really where our conversation begins, because I'm like girl, how do you have so much time to do this? So everybody, please welcome on your side of this podcast. A big round of applause for Hadiyah Alexander. Thank you so much for being with us. Thank you for having me. I am thrilled to see your beautiful face again and you and I had a great conversation. The name tag you were wearing was Home Sweet Home, which is a. Why don't you give me like 30 seconds of Home Sweet Home?
Speaker 2:Yeah, so I actually had a chance to meet the founder, jeff, I believe is his name, home, sweet Home. So they contract out professional organizers like ourselves not just the United States but in the world for people that work for tech companies so Intel, apple, gm, you name them. They're typically moving from state to state or from state to another country and we help guide them through that process of purging the things that they aren't going to move with. It's a pretty simple process, but definitely a lot of else in the kitchen, you know, making the world proud and making it a smooth transition for them. So we go in before the movers actually arrive. We help them go through each room in the space and kind of ask those important questions that we always do with our clients hey, is this something that you're really going to use? Is this something you have used in the past couple of years? Is maybe something your children have grown out of, because a lot of them have families?
Speaker 1:Yeah, with the time, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick. Where they're moving, Something is happening. So you're very much the boots on the ground of let's make this a successful transition from one place to another, from one job, one city to another. That's a big deal and from what I know of Home, Sweet Home, you get to choose your schedule so you can fill up your schedule with gigs that they have. Is this correct? Yeah?
Speaker 2:that is correct. Yes, they actually have an app which is very user friendly, very simple, where they just post a job, just like any other job site out there, saying this is the client, this is where they are, this is where they'll be moving and this is really the time frame you have, and sometimes it's within a week, which is a very short notice. But you know, once they have their mover set, you know you can't really change that date, right, exactly?
Speaker 1:I mean, there's a lot of working parts when it comes to moving, and then so you're doing this home, sweet home gig, which is an entirely different business, and then you're running your organizing business in the background, right? Tell me a little bit about that.
Speaker 2:Absolutely yeah. So I started off at the container store where I met other professional organizers shopping there for their clients, and so not knowing that I could do something like that professionally is something I will was always good at, so it's it's in a, in a lump sum that pretty much opened up my mind and my world to I can actually do this, and this is something I need to dive into and be more serious about. And I went from helping out family friends to them referring people to my business, and I decided to do that three years ago, full time, like I left my nine to five jobs, any retail job I had and I was like, no, I need to commit to just this.
Speaker 2:Yeah this is what God has set out for me, and I just didn't know it at the time. But it clearly was that door that he had opened and I just dove right in.
Speaker 1:Isn't it so funny how that happens. I feel like mine was a God thing too, and I just, I just really love that those doors get swung wide open, even when you're like this is. Is this really something I'm supposed to be doing? Like like this is is this really something I'm supposed to be doing Like.
Speaker 1:So I don't know if which this transitions perfectly into the whole reason. I wanted to talk to you because that already sounds like a busy. You're running a business, you're working with Home, Sweet Home, you have family that you, you know, don't want to just crawl into a shell and never see, and friends and, like you, have a social life. And you thought, boy, I'm not busy enough, let's hit that presidency. And what's so funny is that you've only only I'm air quotes on the radio. You have only been serious. You just said for three years. So you went from I'm just dabbling here and there for 10 years. For the first seven years right To, I'm going to be serious about this. I'm just dabbling here and there for 10 years. For the first seven years right To, I'm going to be serious about this. I'm going to quit my other job. I'm going to be a professional organizer because I can be, and now I want to be the president of my chapter.
Speaker 3:Like.
Speaker 1:I know I sit on my board of directors. It's my first year on the NAPO board of directors, but the presidency is a really big job. Did you have to? What is that like? Because you just took the position right, are you I?
Speaker 2:did. Yeah, may 15th, was that Very new? Yeah, may 15th was the official date. Our now past president, sarah, decided to organize an amazing gala to celebrate our 20 years, and so we were able to bring back past presidents that may not be as active in our chapter as they used to be, and we got to celebrate. But it was also her kind of going away party as well and initiation at the same time.
Speaker 2:It was a very big event that I did not realize until we were setting up the room. It's like oh, this is, this is serious. But just like with anything I've done the past three years, I think, the moment I started saying yes to certain things, god's like okay, well, here you go and these you already have the tools that you need to do them. You just need to believe it. You have to have that faith within yourself, and the moment I did that, it just opened up a completely different world. I decided four months ago to decide to be president. It was a very interesting story. Our first meeting of January, sarah did this amazing presentation and we were kind of going over just Beck's practices in order to help our businesses move forward, and with our subcontractors. And the last slide was like well, I'm moving to Florida, and just you could hear a pin drop in the room and we're like, okay, what does this mean for our chapter, though? We're leaving, but we're not, so what does this mean?
Speaker 1:And I bet you know as somebody that, speaking personally, as somebody that feels like I'm letting people down if I step away from a position, especially a volunteer position, because I'm sure many organizers out there are very good at organizing their time and events and all of the things and the people that go along with that, because that's our jam right, that's our jobs and I I bet she had a lot of weighing of I have to do this for me and that's that is one of those windows in those doors. First you look out the window, but if you're ready to walk through that door, what comes next? Did you feel like you were taking on this massive job? Or were you like I'm just gonna show up and we're just gonna make it happen? I don't know what's happening.
Speaker 2:It felt massive in the moment. It actually wasn't even a decision at that meeting. It was one of our other organizers that whispered in my ear hey, you should do this. And I was like Me, no, I just I don't know if I'm ready for something like that, and it took some time. But Sarah and I had multiple one-on-one conversations and she's like you know, you're the only person I can see replacing me in this role right now, like I believe that you can do this and you believe you know you can believe that you can do this. And I was like okay, give me some time, let me sleep on this. She's like well, you don't have that much time because we have to vote on this. And I was like, oh, this is official. Okay, I'll give you like five days and then I'll let you know my decision.
Speaker 1:Yeah, like I told you when we started our conversation, I really like that time sensitive, like I need to make a decision, because if somebody says to me, I'll get to it when you can, I'm like that means I don't have to do it. Yeah.
Speaker 2:That's not really how it works.
Speaker 3:Yeah.
Speaker 1:Yeah. So it's funny because when I first had the concept of this conversation with you, it was about schedule clutter, but what I'm hearing from you was that it was more of a internal journey of the voices in your head that said, yeah, you've only been at this for, you know, three years, or you don't have time, or and you, someone else can take that mantle. So how was it a process? Tell me about those five days that it took you to figure out if you were going to step up or wait it out.
Speaker 2:I had to do well, and it's been part of my self care to in the last three years of implementing meditation and prayer and just being in silence with myself and as I went through my goals that I had for this year my personal and business goals. I'm like you know what being in this role not only it's bigger than me, it's much bigger than me just being a volunteer. First off, I'm the youngest they've ever had and I'm the first black president they've ever had in Arizona and that's huge. So I'm setting the tone for the next person that comes after me and this role and all the opportunities and resources that I'll have access to is going to allow me to achieve the goals that I already set for myself. Oh, you are giving me goosebumps.
Speaker 2:I know it was just an easy decision. Like when I said yes, it was like no, this feels right and of course, she got emotional. I got emotional. She actually screamed and that made everyone like stare, like what's going on, and she was like she decided to be our next president. Everyone like stare, like what's going on, and she was like she decided to be our next president, and so that gave her relief, you know, because it was obviously a very emotional process for her. She's been our longest standing president, so for her to let go of that was hard. But trusting in me and knowing that I could do it and could fill those shoes, I it's. It's a wonderful partnership and I know that she will always be a part of our chapter. She's our past shoes. It's a wonderful partnership and I know that she will always be a part of our chapter. She's our past president, she's director of membership, so I will always have her there with me and you know so.
Speaker 1:So you mentioned that this self-care journey began three years ago. What was the precipice of that?
Speaker 2:was the precipice of that. No, that's a great question. I, in a short version, I actually not only had left my final nine to five and I say that because I don't plan on going into nine to five ever again, that's just me personally but I also released a personal and professional partnership, and I think releasing of that set the tone for what I need to do in terms of focusing more on myself, loving myself, investing in myself, so that way I could be the best version of myself. When I started this business my own company Again, I think God had a lot to do with that, knowing that I had the tools within me to be able to do this. I just had to believe that I could do this.
Speaker 1:Yeah, get rid of the riffraff, right. Yeah, and it just felt lighter.
Speaker 2:I felt so much lighter and I was like you know, this is, this is the time. It's now or never. You know, go big or go home, yeah.
Speaker 1:Oh, I love that, and I mean I lived by go big or go home for a very, very long time. I have found that it hasn't served me in the way that I wanted it to. But to each his own journey, like that's. You know, go big or go home and carpe diem, all of that I'm I'm very curious about the way that I know, in our initial conversation that you and I had, you were talking about being an inspiration. Is that one of the goals of you, hadiya Alexander, sitting in the presidency of now I am I'm not just Hadiyah showing up, you know, at chapter meetings or just showing up on the job site. Now I have this position, I have this title. Is there, was that a part of your draw, to be able to prioritize your time to take on such a big job?
Speaker 2:Yeah, no, that's a great question. I think it's something again that fell into my lap as well, as I started paying attention more to not just what my clients were saying, but what my board members and chapter members were saying, that I inspire them, you me, to be an inspiration, not just for the people in my circle, but people that are watching me. People are paying attention to what I'm doing and they actually listen and take notes of what I share on my social media platforms and they recite it back to me and it's like, oh my gosh, wow, you know, I just thought this was just, you know, something fun, silly, but it's something that they hold on to. So, absolutely I want to be able to inspire our chapter as a whole to be able to grow and evolve, and that's really what Sarah kind of set the foundation for for us to constantly evolve.
Speaker 1:Oh, I love that, because if we stay stagnant, we're, we're stuck. I mean, that is, that's nowhere to be and I love that. This, this job, yes, like I keep saying, it's a big job, obviously, one that is bigger than I want to chew right now. I just accepted the director at large, which is usually what the past president's position would be.
Speaker 3:And our past president was like I don't want to do that.
Speaker 1:So there's me. I get to be Vanna to our president's, pat Sajak, so, but what's really cool is that it's the way that you're speaking of this is that it's more of just a stepping stone, it is just a title. It is just a title, it is just a job, it is just a thing that you're doing with your time. But it's so much more than that, and I think that that's really important for the people that are listening to understand is that when you are feeling this draw, this calling, this pull towards something, that is a good thing, that there's a little bit of a leap of faith, there's a little bit of this trust that you have to have. That you that I mean.
Speaker 1:I know I am my own worst enemy and I like to tell people that encourage me and think of me in a way that I don't think of myself, how much I appreciate that voice, because you might not have stepped up if people didn't say you already inspire me, that that empowered you to feel like, wow, this isn't such a far reach for me, and I think that that's really important, that people take that and that you can name that you started this self-care journey and that accepting things on your calendar is a part of that self-care journey, and I think that the self-care journey is because you are taking care of the one, that then you can take care of the many, and I think that that's amazing and I really appreciate you being a part of leadership of NAPO something that I've only just dipped my toe into and I mean you inspire me.
Speaker 1:I'm like this girl's a badass, like yes, I mean it's really cool. And I'm so glad that you are one of my early adopters of my podcast and that I could have you on here to hear your voice, because I'm going to be like oh, she was on my podcast.
Speaker 2:I know that's right.
Speaker 1:That girl. We go way back all the way to Home, sweet Home type times that's right, come on. Well, hadiyah, where can people find you? On the interwebs or if they want to have you, because you do love to travel. So please tell us a little bit about that.
Speaker 2:I do love to travel. Do love to travel, so please tell us a little bit about that. I do love to travel. Right now I'm on Facebook, instagram, linkedin, dabbled a little bit in TikTok I'm trying to push myself to post more on there and I just got on next door so I actually got a request right before our call, so I'm hoping that, you know, turns into an actual client, which would be amazing. I something you mentioned actually just for a second about keeping in contact, like keeping a relationship with my clients. That's something I am huge and it's important to me that they can always reach back out to me, even after I'm done with organizing their entire house. You can always call on me for questions because you know what Life happens, life be life in and things change, so that's something that you can always ask me questions. I always have my phone with me, or?
Speaker 2:send me pictures like oh it's messy again.
Speaker 1:I need your help or come help me, or I really love the ones that like one of my favorite things to do is to create a coffee or a tea station, because that's like that first jolt of like yes, I can take on the world. So when people will tackle a little like I refreshed my coffee station, I'm like, yes, do that thing for yourself, I love it, it's so great. But okay, so I'm going to bring it back because you didn't actually tell us how we can find you, just where we could find you fair enough.
Speaker 1:Yeah, so go ahead and tell me how we can find you yeah, um, so call me.
Speaker 2:That's the best way to get a hold of me um you have a website. I have a linked tree site which is actually on all of my platforms. Okay, if not, it will be because I'm the one managing my own social media platform right now. So my linked tree which directs you right back to my platforms and my phone number and my email.
Speaker 1:Okay Is it by your first and last name, or is it your business name?
Speaker 2:Yeah, so it's Hadiyah at meetwitheasecom.
Speaker 1:Oh, it's a little bit of both, hadiyah, h-a-d-i-y-a-h, that's right. Yeah, what's up for me? Big high five, thank you. Thank you so much. Well, hadiyah, it was wonderful to see your face again and I am so excited to see what you are going to do with this Arizona chapter. I'm I mean, we're going to compare notes, we're going to compare notes at the end of this first term and be like how you doing Right, that's right.
Speaker 2:And we'll meet each other at the summit again, if we don't see each other before.
Speaker 1:Oh that's happening. That's happening. Yeah, all right, hadiyah. Well, I hope you have a wonderful Wednesday and thank you so much for your time. Thank you All right. Bye-bye, bye.
Speaker 3:That was such a great conversation. I love talking about self-care and just making sure that you're taking care of yourself so that you can take care of other people, and Hadiyah is a great example of that. I felt a little, uh, left out. I'm gonna be honest, but, but hang on, I I do have a suggestion. Yeah, I think that next time you have wrong because we have to have to have follow-up I know, gotta have follow-up.
Speaker 3:I know, I know that's the presidency going, you know how had the goals you've set for yourself? Have you achieved them? How did you achieve them right? But one of the things that popped up for me cause you mentioned it just in the talking after the conversation here about self-care I want to know. I was curious to know and I I should have unmuted, but I didn't.
Speaker 3:I wanted to ask her hey, you've got this really cool self-care approach which we all know these days is incredibly important. You can't help others if you're not willing to help yourself first. How has that impacted your clients? Are you kind of leading by example and they just ask you hey, you know, things are a little bit different with you these days. You know, kind of like when you and I were getting out of debt, how many times did people ask us about our different approach to things? We never, like smashed them over the head with anything we talked about. It was just we were just living differently and people noticed. So I'm curious how her self-care has translated into a tangible benefit for her clients. If in fact it has, I would say so.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I would say so, and as somebody that works very hard at making sure that I am transferring even the skill of self-care, I would love to hear that story too, and I think it's a great follow-up for when she's on again.
Speaker 3:There you go, that's why.
Speaker 1:I'm here.
Speaker 3:I know this is why I get paid the big money. You owe me some money.
Speaker 1:First, we need to make some money. So, I do coaching calls. No, I mean, you do, I mean. So I do coaching calls. No, I mean, you do, I mean.
Speaker 3:I do, you do.
Speaker 1:Absolutely.
Speaker 3:You do yeah, so well, let me ask you something that you ask every guest you have on the on the show, as does every podcaster when can people find you?
Speaker 1:Oh well, thanks for asking that. If you are listening to this podcast, you are a welcome member of our Clutter Conversations group, which is through the KCH organizers page. It's KCH the letters, so you don't have to spell anything out organizers. And that's all over the socials and you'll be able to find us.
Speaker 3:There you go. Well, I think that's going to wrap up the episode. Is there anything else you want to say to the nice folks? What do we got coming up next? Who's next on our hit list?
Speaker 1:Oh, not that kind of hit list, sorry. And on that note, I'm going to need to find a new editor and producer, potentially, never mind, I'm not even.
Speaker 3:Yeah, geez dude.
Speaker 1:Next up we have Amy Olson, who is coming to join the podcast to talk about tiny living and what that looks like.
Speaker 3:Oh, you mean like tiny homes?
Speaker 1:and stuff Like a full-time RVer. Oh, seriously With her husband and her dog and she runs an organizing business out of her RV wherever she chooses to plug into. So I'm really excited about that conversation and I hope you guys stick around for it.
Speaker 3:You'll probably hear me a lot more in that one, because I got questions.
Speaker 1:I had a feeling that's pretty good. Thanks for joining us, thank you.
