What better way to get to know our Contributors than to hear about their fabulous talents, skills and interests from them directly?   Today, let’s learn about Ms. Kelley Kirker.  Kelley is a natural writer.  I can barely get through one sentence of her writings without cracking up, crying or feeling as though I should beg for more.  Her wit, contagious energy and knowledgeable noggin keep me reeled in … whether its just in conversation with this sweet lady or in email.  I recently got the privilege to interview Kelley in support of her new article series that focuses on organizing and living simply.  I dare you to read the below and not fall in love with this gifted organizer, inspiring entrepreneur (Owner of Organize Nashville) and all around brilliant woman!

KELLEY KIRKER: ORGANIZING CONTRIBUTOR, SEASHINE ONLINE MAGAZINE

Photo by www.HannahElainePhotography.com

SS:  Do you reveal your age?  If so, share!  (That’s a nice first question, right?)

KK:  Of course… I’m a proud 30! I don’t want to brag…. but Wii says my adjusted age is 27. Take that, reality!

SS:  Where are you originally from?  How did you end up in Nashville?

KK:  I was born in Florida, but we moved to South Carolina when I was three. Most of my memories are of the Charleston area. I stayed in SC until a few years after college. In 2004, I made the move to Nashville to be near my twin sister! Sure, she moved to Chicago a few months later, but I decided I had found my home and have since fallen in love with this town!

SS:  Tell us a little about yourself!  What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

KK:  I love people, so you’re probably going to find me doing something with friends when I’m not working. Lately, I’ve been training to hula hoop a half marathon this Spring (yes, its possible). I love sharing meals (and cooking them) with friends, taking in a great film, hearing a band live, watching LOST and blogging. Were you worried I would say “color coding my clothes?”  Be honest.

SS: How did Organize Nashville, your organizational company, come about?

KK:  Organize Nashville was the culmination of many dreams! It was born of opportunity as I was without a job and felt a strong pull to invest in something lasting for which I had a passion. I found myself organizing more and more frequently, in my free time, and was able to help people cultivate peace in their homes as a result. As business increased, the rest seemed to piece itself together. It still seems a very natural thing to do what I love. I consider myself very fortunate every time I have the opportunity to express my creative/ordering side while helping people change their story. It is a blending of a passion for people, peace and order.

SS: What services does Organize Nashville offer?  Are they limited to the Nashville area, or are you able to assist people nationally with organizational requests?

KK:  Organize Nashville offers residential organizing. Kitchens, garages and closets (of every kind) are my cup of tea. While most of my business is localized to Nashville, I am always happy to travel! Because organizing is an ongoing discipline, I find my local clients to be the most diligent… probably because they’re afraid I’ll drop in!

SS:  Tell us about your professional, educational and organizational experience:

KK:  My education was in Communications and Bible at Columbia International University. After graduating school, I did full time youth ministry for three years. After arriving in Nashville, I took a variety of support jobs that allowed me to keep my employers organized which lead me to my dream of owning my own business. I have been professionally organizing since Fall of 2006. I currently work for a great email marketing company (keeping the design department organized!) and take the opportunity to organize as much as possible. It is really incredible to see the theme of this passion woven through my life.

SS:  Did you go to school for organizing, or is this a God-given talent?!

KK:  I’m not even sure you can go to school for organizing…but how cool would that be? No, I did not pursue any special training, per se. Growing up my father’s daughter was a form of training, though. Really, I just always found myself most productive, relaxed and pleased in an organized environment. It must be a gift from the Lord because I don’t think normal people find this much joy in organizing a pantry.

SS:  What is your FAVORITE organizational item?  Where could we pick one or two of those up?

KK:  That is tough! It is a toss up between my purse organizer and the “under the bed storage” bins from Target. I find myself dependent upon both. My purse organizer was a random find from a shop called “Francesca’s”, but they are on Amazon as well! It takes my fabulous (black hole of a) hobo style purse and makes it functional. The added bonus is that if I need to change purses on a whim, its simple to do so; I just grab the organizer out and swap. Genius. The storage box for under my bed serves as creative storage for my out-of-season clothing, bags, etc. and keeps things out of sight.  You can find a set of boxes similar to mine at Target.

View Kelley’s first article, “Spring Into Action: Ditching Clutter to Breathe Easy”, and get more information about Kelley Kirker on our Contributor page.

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