Dai, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.

I’m your typical working mom, with multiple kids, trying to keep the laundry at bay, pantry stocked, social calendar under control and oh yeah, fulfill my purpose in life… no pressure. I found this wonderful balance in doing all of the above was my way to live a life of fulfillment and purpose through organizing and design. Two things I love to do, all day, every day.

I am always searching for better ways to do everything– from organizing my kitchen pantry, to keeping my kids’ toys from taking over the game room, to having a succinct calendar between my husband and I, so when I discovered professional organizing, I knew I’d found my lane. With 12+ years in marketing and strategy development as well as a passion for organizing, productivity and decor, I’m combining those experiences to help busy people, like myself… uncover ways to make their lives easier through Simple Organizing Solutions and create the home you love to live in.

I’ve always been pretty organized, but I decided to take it a step further, research, enroll in webinars, get certified, practice through trial and error to find better ways, the simplest and most efficient ways to do it, to balance it all. As a certified professional organizer and interior designer, I’m on a mission to create better solutions that work for working parents, entrepreneurs and everyone in between.

My late father always said, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail” I have no idea why that stuck with me at a young age and into adulthood but I held on to those words fiercely. It is the catalyst that developed my passion for organizing. Because I believe planning is in the fabric of organizing and it helps you create a solid foundation for your life and family. When, not if, life gets crazy, you always have that to lean on and hopefully make life run a little smoother for you. That’s my goal. That’s why I do what I do.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?

Anyone who has started a business, while working, while raising kids, KNOWS this entrepreneur life is not for the faint at heart. You are already pulled into so many directions and have to be open to a life of adjustments and challenges along the way.From making the decision to just START somewhere, moving forward even when things aren’t “perfect”, Making decisions that you’ve never had to make before, how to incorporate your business, who do you need on your team and when, how to budget, where to get funding, how to best manage your time, how to market, when to pivot, when to say NO. The consistent doubt that settles in your mind due to the “imposter syndrome” The emotional struggles of starting the business have definitely been more of a challenge for me.

So absolutely, this hasn’t been smooth, but I’m a firm believer in the old adage, “to whom home much is given, much is required. I know my goals for my business will require more work than I’ve ever had to put into any job and that’s because I expect to gain more than I’ve ever gained from any job. I’m completely content and even motivated by that reality. I know I have within me to accomplish all the goals I have set for myself and for that, I can thank my upbringing, my faith and the shoulders I stand on.

Simplicity By Day – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?

Simplicity By Day is a professional organizing and design company that delivers simple solution and organizing systems to clients for their home and small business. Simplicity By Day combines the unique design preference of the client with their organizing goals to establish a system that meets their organizing needs and compliments their décor style.

Simplicity by Day operates as a virtual consulting and online shopping service that offers convenient and flexible packages include a style assessment, 1:1 consulting, comprehensive e-learning workshops, visual design ideation sessions, and list products and packages that complete your and organizing design. This is unique as most professional organizers work in person, my business model is built to completely and comprehensively service clients remotely. I specialize in pantry, closets and home offices, but I help to organize all interior spaces in homes.

I serve clients who value functionality and beautifully designed spaces, as both an interior designer and professional organizer, I blend these two to provide this unique service to clients and their families. This is what I’m known for!

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?

My husband for sure! He’s my design partner in crime, behind the scenes, helping me with design conceptualizing, to picking up my heavy items and assembling. He does a lot for the business on the custom builds and design finishes. And of course, holding it down for me with the home and family responsibilities, while I’m chasing my dreams. My parents have had a huge influence in my passion or organizing, my mom was a natural born organizer as well and I learned to appreciate her way to keep clutter to a minimum and working on a budget to keep my sister’s and I room organized. My dad for fueling me to make my own rules, and have NO fear and high level of tenacity.

My family is full of creatives! From my grandma, to my aunt Trina and cousin, Tara who were and are all entrepreneurs, who I draw design inspiration from still for their natural and astounding talent. My cousins, Keyocsha and Jacqueline who have inspired me to be bold in my entrepreneurial journey.

Just as in my professional career, I’ve had several mentors who have poured into me and my business. From my oldest sister, Dandreon, who is a serial entrepreneur, herself. My business mentors, Jerry, Jereshia Hawk and Edian, the counselors at WBEA, and my new community of organizers, at NABPO and NAPO. All who have motivated and supported me from both my corporate and entrepreneur endeavors and always provide me with resources and advice.

To my friends (and family) who have showed up and given me the push I needed dream big and press forward. They’ve supported me in very tangible ways from promoting my business, sending me valuable resources to being clients, themselves. Sheba, Kailynn, Cheryl, Kamryn, Devin, Bashia, Krystal, Karnesha, Ciara, Ashley, Ms. Angela, Brittany, Tricia, Tiffany, Deone, Christine, Charlene, Carrie, Erin, Ogechi my very first client-Leah, my STS crew, Juelz Marketing and the clients who have trusted me with their home organizing projects.