Today we’d like to introduce you to Tiffany Mensing.
Tiffany, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I came to Professional Organizing and owning a business differently than most. I never wanted to have my own business. I’m not naturally organized. But here I am, over eight years of doing both!
My degree is in Chemical Engineering and I worked in oil refineries in Los Angeles and Wales. I loved working in the refineries, but when engagement took me to Washington, D.C., I had to switch to an office job. While I loved working in the city, my job didn’t take advantage of my degree or work experience. I was well paid, and I was miserable.
I was looking for anything else I could possibly do: nutritionist, personal trainer, engineering, anything. At the same time, I was reading The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin, and it mentioned “professional organizing”. It resonated with me, and I Googled it. This was an actual thing! The more I read about it, the more I knew it was my next career. When my husband came home that night, I told him I was quitting my job and starting a professional organizing business. His response was an understandable look of shock.
That was in April 2011. I spent the summer learning as much as I could about organizing and running a business. When my student loans were paid off four months later, I quit my job and started organizing full-time.
I’m not sure why organizing connected with me. I definitely wasn’t the little girl who always put things away and had things just so. I wasn’t the friend people called when they needed help organizing their closet.
But I create processes. I solve problems. I understand people and how unique each situation is. I also relate to my clients. I’ve lived in an unorganized home. I’ve moved a lot. I’ve set-up a new home. I’ve adjusted my home and life to kids arriving on the scene. I juggle home life, mom life, wife life, business life, and my life. I know how overwhelming it is to see your home and life and not see a way the calm the chaos. I also know all the work necessary to calm your home and life is worth it. I love to help people with the same thing.
People think it was a big jump from engineering to organizing, but it lets me do everything I liked about engineering in a new way: solving problems, creating and implementing processes and solutions, and helping people. I found a way to use my engineering experience in a way where I see results with each client’s appointment. I make a difference in how someone’s day goes. There’s nothing better.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I started my business without knowing anything about running a business or being a Professional Organizer, so there was a steep learning curve. Then life happened. I got pregnant with my first child about three months after starting my business. Two years later, baby number two came and seven months later, we relocated from the DC area to Houston. Throw into the mix two miscarriages in 6 months, remodeling our home, being blessed with kid #3…it has always been an adventure trying to “balance” my business and my personal life. I’m fortunate to have a career where I can prioritize my personal life when needed and a husband and family that are supportive when work-life needs to take over.
It’s been an up and down road, but all those experiences help me as an organizer. I understand what it’s like when life takes over and things around the home start to fall apart. This can add a lot of stress because your environment isn’t what you want it to be.
Space & Serenity – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I specialize in home organization for overwhelmed parents (kitchens, pantries, closets, playrooms, garages, mudrooms) and move coordination for people who want to live their life, not their move. My move coordination services include decluttering prior to putting the current home on the market, managing packers and movers, and unpacking and organizing in the new home.
I create and implement organizing systems that are customized for my client’s life. It’s not about fitting them into an organizing system that I like; it’s about creating a customized organized solution based on their current life.
I understand where my clients are coming from. I’ve lived in an organized home, but I’ve also lived in a disorganized home. I know how much work it takes and can relate to my client’s struggles.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
I’m so proud each time I work with a client and they walk into their newly organized space and say, “Oh my goodness! It’s so amazing! I didn’t think it couldn’t ever be like this!”
Pricing:
- Find Your Calm Home Organizing Session – $300
- Move360 Move Coordination – starts at $450
- Hourly rate – $75/hr
Contact Info:
- Website: www.spaceandserenity.com
- Phone: 832.899.5135
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @spaceandserenity
- Facebook: Facebook.com/SpaceAndSerenity
Image Credit:
One of me with three kids – Marisol Miranda
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