New NEAT City | North Shore-Chicago
It’s that time again! Launch week. This week we are launching new franchise owners and new markets! Let’s dive in to see who our new additions are.
We want to welcome Lauren Spehr of North Shore-Chicago. We are thrilled she’s a part of the team. Let’s find out more about what makes her so NEAT.
NM :: Why do you want to run NEAT in your city?
LS :: Working with NEAT Method these past four years has been such a wonderful experience. When the opportunity to own NEAT North Shore Chicago came up, I was all in! I love that NEAT helps people enhance their homes to be more peaceful and functional, but what I love most about NEAT is the community of women in leadership. I’m all about empowering women and inspiring others to live their best life. Owning NEAT North Shore has such a unique opportunity to do just that.
NM :: What did you do before NEAT?
LS :: I have been a NEAT girl for the past four years! I started leading the NEAT North Shore Chicago team about year ago. While doing that I was pursuing my Master’s in Social Work and working as the Crisis Intervention Manager for a non-profit in Wilmette. I’m also a Certified Child Life Specialist. Prior to NEAT I’ve spent my career working with children and their families. I just graduated with my Masters in Social Work in May!
NM :: What makes your city unique
LS :: I love the North Shore community! It’s not uncommon for our clients to live just down the block from their siblings or parents. It’s so fun to see how many of our clients are young families moving back to the North Shore after spending their 20s and early 30s in the city. It truly is a family affair up here.
NM :: How long have you lived in your city?
LS :: I’ve lived in the North Shore for one year! I moved to Evanston last August after living in Chicago and commuting north for four years. I was ready to spend less time in my car. Evanston is such a unique blend of urban and suburban, plus I’m walking distance from the beach!
NM :: What are your favorite places to shop in your city?
LS :: Depends what I’m shopping for: Plants :: Cultivate, Gifts :: Share, Clothes:: Talia and always Anthro.
NM :: What are your favorite places to eat in your city?
LS :: I’m always swinging through Cafe Buongiorno in Winnetka for a weekday lunch date or salad to go. Depot Nuevo and La Principal are some of my favorite places for Tacos and Margs. Plus, you can’t beat the rooftop at Five and Dime in Evanston – their drinks are amazing!
NM :: Show us a picture of your most organized space and tell us what it is.
LS :: I’m pretty proud of my closet! I rent my condo and I was very excited to see that my closet had Elfa already installed. However, the layout was all wrong, so I had fun swapping shelves from my office and buying some extra accessories to maximize its function for my wardrobe – it really is so customizable. My office had a ton of hanging space, but I knew I wouldn’t be storing any clothing in there. So I pulled that into my closet and was able to create double hang and then the add additional shelves/drawers in my office. Even in a rented space, it is completely customized to me.
NM :: Show us a picture of your least organized space and tell us what the heck happened.
LS :: It’s my car. Despite all my best efforts & NEAT’s Tip Tuesdays – My car regularly requires significant effort to add more than one passenger. What might surprise you:: I get my car washed at least every other week. Crumbs on the floor = No Way! Container Store Bags & Outfit changes everywhere = Tolerable. I’ve been known to apply mascara at red lights or post up in my ‘mobile office’ for some quick emails between consults. Not my most NEAT habits! Thankfully my regular car washes keep me from getting too out of hand.
NM :: What do you think is going to be your favorite part of running NEAT in your city?
LS :: I adore our clients! I love getting to meet new people and have been so grateful for the ways our past clients share about NEAT.
NM :: What can people expect when they hire you to organize their home?
LS :: I’m a Social Worker at heart, I’m all about sustainable solutions. When I’m organizing your home, I’m considering all aspects of your lifestyle. I’m making a system that can be maintained by any one in your home.
NM :: Do you have any hidden talents that we should know about?
LS :: Hidden talents? I make a mean charcuterie board! Does that count? I love entertaining and feel very proud of my ability to pull together a celebration at a moments notice and a quick run through TJ’s for some charcuterie basics!
Congratulations! We’re so excited to have you join 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!
