We recently had the chance to connect with Debbie Bush and have shared our conversation below.
Debbie, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned about your customers?
I’m surprised by how brave my clients are. It can be difficult to invite someone in your home and ask for help when it’s in a state of disarray. We see all kinds of organizing situations, often triggered by major life events such as moving or renovating, downsizing, welcoming a new child, inheriting things from a family member or combining households. It’s a privilege to be invited into someone’s home to help them better enjoy it and the people they share it with.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Debbie, CEO & Chief Organizer with Basket & Bin. I’ve been providing personalized, professional home and office organizing in the greater Houston area and beyond sine 2017.
Our approach to organizing is about simplifying and beautifying your environment so you can enjoy your home and the people in it. No one likes searching for lost items, or spending money and time on things they don’t need or already have but couldn’t find. By creating customized organizing solutions based on our client’s space and lifestyle, we align your home with your lifestyle goals. Our personalized plan for each client’s space incorporates design and decorating elements with organizing, allowing enabling every home to be a place to recharge and relax.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
As a kid, I had the most organized bedroom you’ve ever seen. I even created a Dewey decimal system for my beloved books, complete with check-out cards when friends borrowed them. While it was no surprise I was an English major at Texas A&M, I certainly never thought about organizing as a career after I earned my degree, got married and had kids.
It wasn’t until 2017 when I started Basket & Bin after 20 years in the corporate world as a high-tech recruiter and account manager. While working for other companies, I’d built and managed teams and helped job seekers find their dream jobs. Eventually I decided it was time to do the same thing for myself.
With lots of prayer and much encouragement from family and friends, I switched careers and set out to launch my own business. Within weeks of that decision, Hurricane Harvey hit and my house, along with thousands of others, flooded. We rebuilt our home while our family of four lived in it, and suddenly I experienced what it was like to live among complete chaos. This helped me understand how different seasons of life can affect homes and the people in them, and the lessons I learned still influence every home I organize today.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I would tell my younger self that what you perceive now as a weakness may later become one of your biggest strengths. Being a very orderly and detailed child wasn’t very cool, and it wasn’t comfortable showing that side of myself. Now, I see those skills are my superpower. It’s what makes me excel not only in my career as an organizer but as a business owner.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
Persistence. Calvin Coolidge said it best: “Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.”
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
I understand the value of calm, organized living spaces. Most people recognize that they feel lighter and better able to function when they’re organized, but they may not have created that environment for themselves. I get to give people this feeling every time I go to work. It’s a magical!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.basketandbin.com/
- Instagram: @basketandbin_tx
Image Credits
Headshot by Wendy Jennings
