Name: Kacy Paide
Title: Office Organizing Expert
Website: www.theinspiredoffice.com 
What is it that you do on a day to day basis?
I help people to transform their messy offices into beautiful, supportive, organized workspaces. Many of my clients are professionals and entrepreneurs who are out-of-sight-out-of-mind. I work side by side with them to sort, toss, group like with like, and create lasting systems. I typically work in three-hour sessions. Some people take just one session while others can take a year! Either way, I walk people through the process, helping them to be more decisive about what matters most in their space, and how to creatively keep everything else so that they can find what they need when they need it.
What are your favorite parts of your job?
I love watching people go from stuck & confused to inspired and hopeful, sometimes in a matter of minutes! I love watching that first great idea come, first empty space open up, and first set of files come together. I’ve seen proof that organizing makes people happy! I’m so lucky that people invite me into their personal lives so I can be a part of their transformative process.
How did you get into your field? Was it something you always wanted to do or something you discovered bit by bit?
I first heard about the professional organizing field when I was in college around 2000. I knew I wanted to work for myself upon graduating, so I started straight out of school at age 21. It was in 2008 that I carved out a niche to only work with offices and paper.
What aspect of your work most surprised you? (Either in a good way or a bad way.)
I’ve been most surprised with how diverse my clients are. Organizing challenges do not discriminate! Over the years I’ve connected deeply with clients from all walks of life.
Does your education (high school, college or graduate degree) matter in terms of the work that you do today?
I studied cultural anthropology. If you really want to stretch it, you could say that it’s connected to my work as an organizer. Honestly, I felt like a fish out of water in college. Even though I was a dedicated student who studied more than any of my friends, I really struggled, especially with tests. That tipped me off to discovering that I’m wired differently and would probably be happiest with an alternative, independent career path.
What environmental factors have the greatest impact on your job satisfaction? (For example: co-workers, compensation, company culture, flexibility, work/life balance, etc.)
Freedom. Many entrepreneurs are in it for the freedom. Not only do I like that I can create my own schedule, but I have the freedom to create my own style of helping people and get to act on my ideas and impulses in real time. I’ve been able to discover what my gifts and talents are, molding it into a unique service that leaves me feeling so completely fulfilled at the end of the day.
Any career advice you’d like to pass along to others? (My audience is comprised mainly of adults in their twenties and thirties.)
Never stop asking yourself if you’re truly happy. If you’re not happy, you can’t fake it. If any part of you is not fulfilled with your work, know that you have choices. They may be big or small, but there is always room for you to create and grow within every job. If you’re considering working for yourself, start yesterday! It’s never too late and especially never too early to start.