Hidden Gems: Meet Debbi Seale of Organize to Live

Today we’d like to introduce you to Debbi Seale.

Hi Debbi, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself. 
From slob to organizer… can it happen? As a child, I loved the feeling of having all my toys in their places, but I was completely unable to maintain the order. That inability continued through early adulthood, translating to hours upon hours of cleaning up before I was able to have company in my tiny apartment. A number of years, multiple teaching jobs, four children, and several moves later, my family relocated to Raleigh, and over time, I learned to embrace the effort that the organization required in order to reap the benefits – a calm, tidy home where my family and I could find things when we needed them. Attention to detail and keeping things in order became second nature. Professionally, as a teacher, I saw firsthand the difference that organization can make. Students who kept their notes, homework, and spaces organized were more likely to stay focused and do well academically. Encouraging my students to develop habits of organization became a daily mission. 

After years in the teaching profession, I began to contemplate what might come next. As my children grew and left home, I wanted more flexibility and autonomy than a teaching career allows. While trying to figure things out, I had some opportunities to help others declutter and organize. One project took less than ten minutes, but the relief it brought my friend was beyond gratifying. A few months later, I spent four long days of decluttering my mom’s house in anticipation of a downsizing move. The work was hard, and yet, I was invigorated. Family members told me I should consider doing this as a career. I began to consider how professional organizing could be the perfect combination of my desire to help people, my attention to detail, and my natural bent toward teaching. I realized the huge impact I could have and was sold on seeing the difference that decluttering and organizing could make in the lives of others. 

With the support of my husband, the encouragement of friends, and the help of a mentor, I launched Organize to Live on June 1, 2022. My goal is to help people achieve calm out of the chaos in their homes so that they are able to focus and enjoy life because their homes are in order. My clients’ exuberant expressions of relief, clarity, and awe are so rewarding – knowing that the changes I’ve made in their homes and the concepts I’ve taught them will make a lasting difference in their daily lives. 

Alright, 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’m less than two years in, but overall, the road has been relatively smooth – not easy, but giving myself a lot of grace has helped smooth out the rough spots! Most of my struggles are rooted in learning the ropes as an entrepreneur with no business background. The tension between working on the business and doing the actual work of organizing can be a frustrating battle. As an introvert, I probably will always be intimidated by social media, networking, and self-promotion, but I am constantly reminding myself of the outcomes when I’ve put myself out there – the great people I’ve met, what I’ve accomplished, and the difference I’m making in the lives of my clients. 

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Organize to Live?
Organize to Live is a home organization service that creates calm from the chaos of the homes of busy professionals in the Triangle area. Life is full for most of us; having a home that is functional makes daily life so much easier. My aim is to compassionately and non-judgmentally help my clients declutter and organize, emphasizing progress over perfection. Sessions involve teaching concepts and instilling confidence in their ability to maintain their spaces and even tackle other areas on their own. Multiple clients have told me that organization has been contagious – they’ve made inroads in other areas of their homes, and their family members have been motivated by the results of the spaces I’ve worked in. Those are proud moments! 

One thing that sets Organize to Live apart is the individualized attention I give my clients. The wide variety of my background – living in multiple parts of the country, raising four daughters, dealing with health issues, experiencing a full life – enables me to relate to my clients with compassion, seeing them as individuals. I love listening to their stories, which enables me to customize an organization system. While minimalism and rainbow organization might work well for some, my finished products are as unique as each client. 

My favorite projects are kitchens/pantries and primary closets. A reset in either of these areas impacts the homeowners’ lives on a daily basis. “I can’t stop looking at my beautiful pantry!” “I walk into my closet in the morning and feel such relief.” “I can’t believe this is my pantry!” “I love my closet!” All these are comments from happy clients who have experienced the benefits of an individualized plan for their problem spaces. 

In addition to kitchens and closets, Organize to Live works in garages, bathrooms, attics, home offices – any area that is producing stress in a home. Studies have shown that decreasing clutter decreases stress. If there’s an area – small or large – that needs attention, Organize to Live can handle it! An individual session lasts between three and six hours; however, most clients book several sessions to accomplish their goals. 

Who else deserves credit in your story?
No business journey is a solo effort. My friend Betsy Luckett of Navigate Realty connected me with Julie Bernatz of Space to Embrace, who encouraged me that there was room for more organizers and proceeded to mentor me all along the way. Friends and family members gave me opportunities to organize their spaces for before and after pictures as I got started. My husband was willing to absorb the financial risk to let me chase my passion. Dozens of clients have welcomed me in, entrusting me with creating calm in their homes. And most recently, the amazing Sarah Ivy has assisted me on larger projects. It’s been a beautiful picture of so many threads weaving together to produce a stunning tapestry. 

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.organizetolivenc.com/
• Instagram: @organizetolive.nc
• Facebook: Organize to Live NC
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debbi-seale-04b702263/

Image Credits
Becky Catlett
JoBe Images