All Hail Queen City!
Wow, we just finished our first launch week of 2018! You met the new SF girls earlier, but we are so excited to bring NEAT to TWO BRAND NEW markets!
First up is Bethany Mann. She is launching Charlotte, North Carolina – The Queen City! We couldn’t be happier to welcome Bethany and NC to #theNEATlife. Read her interview to see why she’s already such a perfect fit.
NM :: Tell us why you wanted to run NEAT Charlotte
BM :: Organizing is my passion and has been a part of who I am for as long as I can remember. NEAT Method provides the perfect balance between working for myself and a national brand. It allows me to be part of a larger whole with access to great minds, experience and best practices. It also allows me to scratch that “entrepreneurial itch.” Charlotte is a great market for NEAT and I look forward to building a team of organizers and establishing clients in a city I love.
NM :: What did you do before you ran NEAT?
BM :: Formerly I was a teacher and recruiter. I also worked in career services at The University of Virginia. Then it was “mommy” time for me. We added 3 kiddos to our family while living in the DC area. I actually got into the professional organizing industry when I reentered the work world in DC.
NM :: Since you’ve lived elsewhere, what about Charlotte is unique?
BM :: My favorite thing about Charlotte is the people. There are lots of transplants, as well as those rooted here complete with “southern charm.” The weather is also great…we get a nice taste of all the seasons (though I wish I could have slightly longer springs and falls). We are a short drive to the beach AND the mountains, making long weekend getaways a realistic possibility. Charlotte is rapidly expanding, so the growth and development create an exciting buzz.
NM :: Sounds dreamy! How long have you called Charlotte home?
BM :: Charlotte became “home” for me at age 12. I lived here for 15 years and then took a 10 year break in the DC area, returning to Charlotte in 2017 to be closer to family. It’s great for us to have grandparents, parents, siblings, aunts, uncles and cousins nearby.
NM :: What are your favorite places to shop in your city?
BM :: I’m a Nordstrom fan. Their easy return policy makes my life simpler! I also have some favorite boutiques in the area…The Pink Hanger, Luna, The Copper Penny, Sloan and Bevello are places I go if I am looking for something special. For home decor, Cotswold Marketplace is fabulous!
NM :: What are your favorite places to eat in your city?
BM :: Vivace (wonderful Italian food and also a great venue for events), Ilios Noche (delicious Greek cuisine), Haberdish (southern comfort food and fun ambiance), Halcyon (a nice romantic spot Uptown).
NM :: What is your most organized space?
BM :: I’m gonna go with snacks. It takes a little extra time to put away groceries, but it’s worth it! It makes it so my kids can help themselves to relatively healthy snacks and even pack their own lunches (theoretically). Some weeks that happens more than other, though!
NM :: Show us a picture of your least organized space and tell us what the heck happened
BM :: So now you’ve seen the “skeletons” in my closet. There really is NO EXCUSE. But…..here is the explanation: We are currently renting and will be moving very soon, so instead of setting up a logical/accessible storage closet, this has become a catchall. We’ve got suitcases, hand-medowns for my niece and nephews, vacuum cleaners, curtains, a weight lifting bench… It’s all stuff that you can rest assured has a much more intentional storage solution in the next house. Until then…please don’t judge!
NM :: What do you think is going to be your favorite part of running NEAT in your city?
BM :: I really look forward to interacting with clients. I enjoy meeting new people and helping them achieve their goals. Simplifying life through organization and maintainable systems is meaningful to me, and I can’t wait to share it with others in the area.
NM :: Besides organizing, do you have any other talents that we should know about?
BM :: Sdrawkcab kaeps nac I (I can speak backwards). Just ask:) I can also roller skate backwards. I’m just full of surprises!
NM :: Wow! (That one we can say backwards too lol). What is your favorite product to use to organize things?
BM :: Drawer dividers! These things have been lifechanging for me. They transform any drawer (dresser, desk, kitchen) into a maintainable system.
NM :: As a new business owner, what other business do you admire?
BM :: I gotta give a shoutout to Levine Hearing. Madison Levine and I have several mutual friends and attend lots of the same gatherings/events. While I don’t know her well, I was inspired by her story of starting her own hearing instrument practice. While she had her mother as a role model in that field, her college major pointed her in a different direction. She listened to her inner voice and followed the passion she developed. When I mentioned that I was considering starting a professional organizing company but had some hesitations, she told me how she got herself motivated, and those words stuck with me….”If THEY can do it, why can’t I?” Thank you for the encouraging words, Madison!
Thanks Bethany! We are so excited to see NC get NEAT!
xx
the NEAT girls
We are Ashley and Molly, the founders of Neat Method.
Lets face it – we obviously love to organize and are a little…or maybe we should say a lot type-A. This perfect storm created The Neat Life. Welcome! We’ve seen it all, heard it all, organized it all, and are always obsessed with seeing a perfectly NEAT space. Even if a clutter free space doesn’t tickle your fancy as much as ours, we guarantee you will be entertained by our antics and drive to make the world a NEAT-er place!
