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How to Become a Professional Organizer
First, analyze your financial needs. Start-ups often spend 80 percent of the first year’s income on marketing. Financial resources such as credit lines and savings can help. Start by figuring what you need to earn (net) per year, and work backward.
Then choose the business model that’s right for you. Some National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals (NAPO) members work for organizing companies or as independent contractors. Others choose to operate their own business.
A small business owner wears many hats: marketer, accountant, bookkeeper and more. To run your own company, you need business skills and organizing skills! It’s important to keep this in mind. If you do choose to run your own organizing business, the NAPO Professional Organizer curriculum can help.
A member of the NAPO Washington State Chapter must first be a member of NAPO on the national level.
Benefits of NAPO membership include:
- Increased credibility
- Participation in a recognized, reliable association whose members adhere to a code of ethics while conducting business
- Educational and networking opportunities at the national level
- Product discounts from NAPO Business Partners
- Discounted access to business essentials such as liability insurance, prescription drug discount cards, long term care insurance, and credit card processing services
Becoming a member in the NAPO Washington State Chapter is the next step to opening and growing your business. Come together with colleagues and potential partners to learn from their experiences, participate in educational monthly meetings and give back to the community through optional Days of Service.
For an online application, click here.
To get alerts about upcoming meetings, subscribe here.
Become a Certified Professional Organizer (CPO)
After three years of experience, more than 1,500 hours of paid work experience, and other educational criteria, a Professional Organizer may become a Certified Professional Organizer by sitting for an exam. The fee for the exam is a reduced rate for NAPO members. While preparatory education is offered through NAPO, the exam is coordinated by The Board of Certification for Professional Organizers.