Dawn Noble - How to Start a Home-Based Professional Organizing Business

Dawn Noble, president and founder of Balance & Beyond, is a registered nurse and professional organizer. Dawn established Balance & Beyond to assist individuals in learning the basics of de-cluttering, organizing, and time management, helping them create more satisfying, healthier lives. She has coached many individuals and small-business owners to create more efficient, more productive environments. She has trained and educated individuals in the art of professional organizing and coaches new entrepreneurs in the art of establishing and growing their small businesses.

Dawn has spoken publicly to hundreds of local groups and clubs, as well as to many corporate clients. Dawn has been quoted and written about in Parenting magazine, Family Circle magazine, and a variety of popular newspapers and magazines. Dawn currently lives in Butler, New Jersey, with her two girls and husband.

To my husband Chris: Always the biggest thank you goes to you. Your patience, grace, and simple way of taming my crazy astounds me. During a recent episode of crazy: final edits to the book, wallpaper half down, relatives coming to town, and our two little ones getting ready to start school, you simple kissed my forehead and said, I knew what I was getting into when I said I Do. And for that safe place to fall, I thank you with all my heart.

Nicole, my oldest and organizer in training: I love the way you can turn on a smile in the middle of an upset and allow yourself to giggle when you want to cry. Youre the reason I wanted a flexible work schedule in the first place and why I am so grateful I created one. Keep creating your lists and checking them twice. Follow your dreams and be happy. Mommy loves you.

Karli, my little observer and my second reason for wanting a flexible work schedule: Being around you makes me smile. A girl of few words you speak volumes with your spirit and happiness. Thank you for your hugs and gentleness. Follow your heart and be happy. Mommy loves you.

To my friend Kathy Smyly Miller: Thank you for walking with me on this journey. Your friendship means the world to me and makes me a better person each and every day. For my Mom: Not sure how to thank you for the way in which you just assume well all (me, Debbie, Carol Ann, and Frank) do great things. It makes it easier to get out there and do the things I want when youre behind me knowing I can. Thanks. For my Dad: You continue to amaze me with all you do. I can certainly see where I get my propensity for changing, learning, and creativity from. Thanks for being you. For friends A through, well, Z I suppose: thanks for being a part of my life and giving it such richness every day. Its always more fun when you have someone to say how cool is that? to at the end of a day. Thank you.

To the Globe Pequot Press family: Thank you for this series of home-based business books. I am fortunate to have the opportunity to be listed as the author of this particular title and appreciate your commitment to me and this work.

To the new professional organizers out there: congratulations, good luck, and thank you for your kind words of gratitude for the information Ive provided in this book. Im happy to know there are more organizers out there working their own bit of magic with people around the world.

Lastly, Id like to thank all the clients who allow me into their worlds to share, learn, grow, and experience this passion of mine. I truly enjoy every minute with you and am grateful you open your world and trust me to support you on this journey.

National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO): www.napo.net

Professional Organizers in Canada (POC): www.organizersincanada.com

Professional Organizers Web Ring (POWR): www.organizerswebring.com

The David Allen Company: www.davidco.com

Home Made Simple: www.homemadesimple.com

Fly Lady: www.flylady.com

Saving Dinner: www.savingdinner.com

Time to Organize: www.Time2Organize.net

Business Owners Toolkit: www.toolkit.cch.com

Business registrations: www.irs.gov/businesses/small

Chamber of Commerce: www.uschamber.com

Legal advice: www.nolo.com; www.business.gov

National Association for the Self-Employed: www.nase.org

National Association of Home Based Businesses: www.usahomebusiness.com

Small Business Administration: www.sba.gov

Tax forms: www.irs.ustreas.gov

Toast Masters: www.toastmasters.org

Wellness Possibilities: www.wellnesspossibilities.com

Working Solo, Inc.: www.workingsolo.com

Powerful You: www.powerfulyou.com

Cashman Consulting: www.cashmanconsultingllc.com

Savor the Success: www.savorthesuccess.com

National Association of Women Business Owners: www.nawbo.com

Conscious business: www.kathysmylymiller.com

Important IRS Forms (Available at www.irs.ustreas.gov)

Form 1040, Individual Income Tax Return

Form 1040-ES, Estimated Tax for Individuals

Form 4562, Depreciation and Amortization

Form 8829, Expenses for Business Use of Your Home

Schedule A, Itemized Deductions

Schedule C, Profit and Loss from Business

Schedule D, Capital Gains and Losses

Schedule SE, Self-Employment Tax

ADD Friendly Ways to Organize Your Life, Judith Kolber and Kathleen Nadeau

One Thing at a Time, Cindy Glovinsky

Mom, Inc., Neale S. Godfrey

Repacking Your Bags, Richard J. Leider and David A. Shapiro

Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui, Karen Kingston

Confessions of an Organized Homemaker, Deniece Schofield

Feng Shui: Harmony by Design, Nancy Santo Pietro

Getting Organized, Stephanie Winston

Organize Yourself!, Ronni Eisenberg

Organize Your Office!, Ronni Eisenberg

Organizing for the Creative Person, Dorothy Lehmkuhl and Dolores Cotter Lamping

Lose 200 Lbs. This Weekend: Its Time to Declutter Your Life, Don Aslett

Clutter Be Gone!, Don Aslett

Clutters Last Stand, Don Aslett

Taming the Paper Tiger at Home, Barbara Hemphill

Taming the Paper Tiger at Work, Barbara Hemphill

FileDont Pile, Pat Dorff

How to Have a 48-Hour Day, Don Aslett

The Personal Efficiency Program, Kerry Gleeson

Time Management, Marshall Cook

Prioritize, Organize: The Art of Getting It Done, Jonathan Clark and Susan Clark

The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, Steven Covey

The E Myth, The E Myth Revisited