Fate occurs when Ashley and Molly randomly meet in San Francisco and discover their mutual affinity for creating clutter-free, organized spaces.
January 2011
Determined to help others find the same appreciation for living an organized life, NEAT Method launches and clients quickly become addicted.
January 2012
Vogue calls -- we’re definitely on to something!
May 2012
Ashley launches NEAT Chicago (and Marissa joins the team).
January 2013
Marissa moves to Florida and launches NEAT Ft. Lauderdale
Over the next year...
Women reach out asking how to turn their same passion into a business. Create our training program...10 locations and growing.
June 2016
Marissa joins Ashley & Molly as a founding partner!
By 2017
10 locations turn to almost 30...thousands of clients become a little NEATer
August 2017
Whitmor proudly acquires NEAT and we transition to a Franchise model. Grow to almost 70 franchise locations in 2 years.
January 2018
Molly “retires”, Ashley and Marissa begin to hire!
July 2019
Hello Canada! NEAT expands internationally to Canada.
January 2020
Once two, then three, now 25. NEAT’s corporate team is growing!
August 2020
It’s official! NEAT develops and launches our first product line...of many.
Meet Our Team ::
Ashley Murphy
Co-Founder & CEO
ASHLEY MURPHY. Founder of NEAT Method. Was raised in the BUCKEYE State. Went to college with the HOOSIERS. Will forever be smitten with the city of CHICAGO. A true Midwestern GIRL through and through. Completely adores her FAMILY and FRIENDS. Never starts or ends her day without her cherry ChapStick. Is a sucker for ROMANTIC comedies. Claims to know all the state capitals. Crazy about SUMMER weather and outdoor dining. Longs for the days of BOATING on Lake Cumberland. Obsessed with PILATES and has been known to teach it over the years. Loves nothing more than COOKING a healthy meal, making her the MASTER of KITCHENS.
Marissa Hagmeyer
Co-founder & CMO
MARISSA HAGMEYER. Co-Founder and CMO. Raised in CHICAGO, but recently moved to the MILE HIGH state and loves calling it home. MARRIED her high school sweetheart and cherishes their time together with their two little GIRLS. Enjoyed her studies in GRAPHIC DESIGN, but prefers a day of ORGANIZING and a good excel spreadsheet. Relishes starting her day with a good WORKOUT and an OATMILK LATTE. Can be found searching for new RECIPES or restaurants and has never met a SPICY dish she doesn't like. As the OLDEST of three, she has always run the show, making her the MASTER of PLANNING.
Molly Graves
Co-Founder
MOLLY GRAVES. Founder of NEAT Method. Was born and raised outside of CHICAGO. Prefers a CITY over the suburbs. Absolutely cherishes the memories of being at ‘the cabin’ with her FAMILY. Became a LEFTY after she broke her right arm. Earned the 4th FASTEST RUNNER trophy when she insisted she play on her brother's baseball team. Enjoys sipping LATTES or SPARKLING ROSE. Loves the challenge of a RUN with hills. Lets her COLLEGE SWEETHEART husband pick the movies because she never stays awake. PASSIONATELY became a teacher after college and is now the MASTER of KIDS ROOMS.
Lisa Ruff
Director of Business Development
LISA RUFF. Director of BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT. An avid READER, making her favorite space to organize BOOKSHELVES. Born in MICHIGAN, but destined to live on a coast, she tried out NYC and ultimately settled in SAN FRANCISCO. Joined NEAT in 2014 after a stint as a non-profit lawyer. Has held just about every NEAT position available from team organizer to franchise owner to corporate team member. Mom to two amazing GIRLS. Obsessed with a good SKINCARE routine. Loves a trend, but believes individuality is best expressed in staying true to your personal STYLE. Lives for WEEKEND TRIPS around Northern California with her family.
Julia Purdy
Director of Recruiting and Training
JULIA PURDY. Director of Recruiting and Training. Born and raised a BUCKEYE, but recently traded in her snow boots for sandals and moved to sunny Sarasota, FL. Graduated from Wittenberg University. The OLDEST of nine in a blended family. Unwinds on the PELOTON, a YOGA mat or ends her day with a dirty MARTINI. Has been known to bust out a 90’s RAP or R&B tune when appropriate. Spends her free time BOATING with her two dogs and high school sweetheart husband. READS everything from food labels to instruction manuals making her the MASTER of PLANNING.
Ashley Hatcher
Director of Franchise Development
ASHLEY HATCHER. NORTHEAST REGIONAL DIRECTOR & Owner of NEAT Method WASHINGTON DC. A proud, born and raised, TEXAN but yells GEAUX TIGERS on Saturday nights. Moved to MARYLAND after meeting her charming husband at a wedding. Teased for having more “BEST FRIENDS” than anyone. Admits to wishing BEYONCE was one of them. Known as being the PRACTICAL girl in the bunch with everything except shopping. Loves her SWEET TEA, carbs and strawberry DAIQUIRIS. Revels in TRAVELING. Especially anywhere that has a BEACH, even though she rarely gets in the water. Holds a degree in FASHION and is guilty for putting that knowledge to good use. SHOES and DENIM are her weaknesses, but it makes her the MASTER of CLOSETS.
Chelsea Thomas
Director of Social Media
CHELSEA THOMAS. Born and raised in Utah’s DIXIE where she learned to love dry desert heat. Spent time in Salt Lake City before settling down in Los Angeles where she lives with her husband and husky mix, OLIVE. Favorite pastimes include CAMPING and going to the beach. Fan of all music, but would always choose CELINE DION over anyone. Has an unhealthy addiction to Boba MILK TEA. Intrigued by all things FRENCH; baguettes, cheese, chocolates...you name it. Never leaves the house without a pair of EARRINGS. Has a not-so-guilty pleasure of PINTEREST and GREETING CARDS. A CREATIVE at heart with talents in CALLIGRAPHY and GRAPHIC DESIGN, making her the MASTER of LABELS.
Lauren Combs
Director of Product Development
LAUREN COMBS. PRODUCT DIRECTOR & Owner of NEAT Method DETROIT. Born and raised in CINCINNATI. The second oldest of FOUR GIRLS. Wouldn’t trade anything for being a MOM or spending time with her dog, Josie. Considers the perfect vacation any day on the beaches of CALIFORNIA or the lakes of Michigan. Can often be found behind an easel or preparing a GOURMET meal. Tempted by wine, but a BEER girl at heart! Wishes Pequod’s Chicago PIZZA was on every menu. Admires all things ART, architecture, and furniture design, having worked in the industry for the past 18 years. A natural eye for DETAIL, making her the MASTER of PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT.
Jill Crylen
Executive Assistant
JILL CRYLEN. EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT. Born and raised in the Chicago suburbs but now calls SAINT LOUIS home. MARRIED to one sweet man for 35+ years, with three adult children. Lives to spend every minute possible with her adorable GRANDCHILDREN. As a self-proclaimed FOODIE, she can be found sampling at all the newest restaurants in town. Loves a big, bold CABERNET and international TRAVEL. Dreams of taking her entire family on an African SAFARI. Has conquered 18 moves, including one to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, making her the MASTER of MOVES.
Hannah Goetz
Director of Partnerships
HANNAH GOETZ. Owner of NEAT Method EAST BAY. Lover of COOKING and ENTERTAINING, making her favorite space to organize KITCHENS. Born and raised in SAN DIEGO, but considers herself a true NORCAL transplant after 15 years. Misses SoCal’s amazing BURRITOS though. Owned THE BAR METHOD SF for 10 years, but is now excited to organize homes instead of weights and mats. Always inspired by her HUSBAND, a children’s book author. Talks to her MOM on the phone daily and is obsessed with her three KIDDOS. Takes advantage of the amazing places the Bay Area offers, from the WINE COUNTRY to TAHOE.
Brooke Nieman
Midwest REGIONAL DIRECTOR
BROOKE NIEMAN. Midwest REGIONAL DIRECTOR. Born and raised in the burbs of CHI CITY. Went to school with the LONGHORNS and returns to Austin any chance she gets. Lover of everything related to EDUCATION. So much so, she went back to school for nursing and still holds her RN license. Can find her buried in a book any chance she gets. Otherwise enjoys a good CONCERT or PILATES session. Relishes in her time with FAMILY and FRIENDS. Has a serious SWEET tooth. Black licorice is her go to fav. Obsessed with making lists and all things paper, making her the MASTER of OFFICES
Katie Koentje
West Regional Director
KATIE KOENTJE. Owner of NEAT Method SAN DIEGO + ORANGE COUNTY and WEST REGIONAL DIRECTOR. Family SNACK manager and meal PLANNER, making her favorite space to organize the PANTRY. Born and raised in NORTHERN VIRGINIA. Fell in love with BEACH living while at UNC WILMINGTON. After years of being mistaken as a CALIFORNIA GIRL, decided to make it official. Crazy about her HUSBAND and absolutely head over heels in love with being a MOMMA to two sweet BOYS. Starts her day with a spoonful of NUTTZO and ends it with a glass of VINO. Enjoys dining out and time with FAMILY and FRIENDS. Finds peace in HELPING others become organized.
Lori Moros
Director of FINANCE
LORI MOROS. Director of FINANCE. Has loved all things spreadsheets for as long as she can remember, making her a MASTER of OFFICES. Grew up in DEERFIELD just outside of CHICAGO and lives there with her family today. Born to full-bred ITALIANS with a maiden name that translates to “short legs”. Can be found making homemade PASTA SAUCE at least once a week. SUNDAY NIGHT DINNERS with extended family are a tradition. Talks to her SISTER at least 3 times a day. Favorite indulgences include COFFEE, ICE CREAM and SCHITT’S CREEK. Can’t stand SCARY MOVIES or even the previews for that matter. Plays year-round RACQUET SPORTS - tennis in the summer, paddle in the winter.
Audrey Kornatowski
DTC FULFILLMENT SUPERVISOR
AUDREY KORNATOWSKI. DTC FULFILLMENT SUPERVISOR. Crazy good at TETRIS, making her a MASTER of PACKING BOXES. Born and raised in CHICAGO, currently lives in MISSISSIPPI with her husband and their SIBERIAN HUSKY. Contrary to popular opinion, she believes there’s nothing better than Chicago THIN CRUST pizza. Never turns down an opportunity to visit NEW ORLEANS, but dreams of living near the MOUNTAINS. Believes SWEATER WEATHER is the best weather. Not a fan of beer or wine, but a crisp HARD CIDER will do the trick. PROOFREADER of everything, but resists the urge to point out errors to anyone who will listen. When it comes to decision-making, a PRO/CON LIST is usually in play.
Cherneco Robinson
DTC FULFILLMENT ASSOCIATE
CHERNECO ROBINSON. DTC FULFILLMENT ASSOCIATE. Also works part-time at TARGET, making her the MASTER of PRODUCTS. Born and raised in MEMPHIS. Lives with her MOM and fur baby, MIKE. Favorite colors are red, yellow, blue and RED-ORANGE. Not one to wear makeup, but obsessed with RED LIPSTICK. Known to indulge in SUSHI and MEXICAN FOOD. Her guilty pleasures include Cooper and Thief Bourbon barrel-aged WINE or Don Julio 70 TEQUILA. Can find her hanging out with her mom and younger brother DAMON and his wife. Watching BINGE-WORTHY shows on NETFLIX is her jam and visiting her GRANDMA CORN (short for Cornelia) in the nursing home makes any day better.