Part 3 of 3. Jacquie Denny and Brian Graves introduce us to the world of virtual estate sales, a global marketplace of sellers and bidders acquiring and letting go of their belongings at fair market value. Today’s episode of Spark Joy is Part 3 of a three part series dedicated to Selling Your Clutter. What do you do with those items that no longer spark joy? We’re dedicating three episodes to how to make your clutter pay you back. Everything But the House is the world’s premier online estate sale and consignment marketplace. Through a global community of buyers and sellers, EBTH has transformed the traditional consignment and estate sale model while preserving its fundamental charm: the thrill of discovering something special. Our guests Jacquie Denny and Brian Graves co-founded Everything But the House in 2008. As Chief Development Officer, Jacquie brings 20 years of experience at the helm of a Cincinnati-based estate sale business called Sorting It Out. As Chief Learning Officer, Brian uses his extensive knowledge of history, auctioneering, and antique valuation and authentication to help maximize value for EBTH clients. We want to hear from you! Tell us your burning tidying questions or share stories about how KonMari has impacted your life. Find us at www.sparkjoypodcast.com and click “Ask Spark Joy” to leave a question or comment for a chance to be featured on next week’s show. While you’re there, sign-up to join our Spark Joy podcast community and get notified when each episode airs. You can also join the Spark Joy podcast community on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter at the handle @sparkjoypodcast. In this episode, you’ll enjoy: How Everything But the House has transformed the estate sale process for those going through a minor or major life transition The birth of EBTH from 20 years of estate sale experience where customers needed a partner through the process as well as a way facilitate sales in an accessible, efficient way The growth of EBTH’s virtual reach from 300 bidders to over 1,000,000 worldwide Options for in-person consultations with the EBTH team in the following cities: Baltimore, Washington, DC, Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, Charlotte, Columbus, and Dallas How EBTH determines present market value as compared to retail value, while managing client’s expectations What happens to the few items that don't sell How all bids on EBTH start at $1 Unique items that EBTH has sold, including a Cessna, a Tiny House, and various historical memorabilia The difference between vintage, antiques, and collectables How to list an item via sell.ebth.com Gems: “We have the largest generation in history, downsizing at the same time.” “Keep what has a place in either your home or your heart.” “[EBTH] is this ecosystem that allows everyone to engage and discover something that’s rare and unique to them." "Photograph it as though there isn’t a description and describe it as though there isn’t a photograph.” What Sparks Joy for Jacquie and Brian: Brian: A job that he didn’t expect to have, but one he has fallen in love with. He enjoys taking the burden of too much stuff away from families. Jacquie: The joy of meeting families at a point of stress and helping them pivot to a place where they can begin to move on. Jacquie and Brian's parting words of wisdom: Jacquie: “Give grace. We all need grace.” Brian: "Focus on what’s important in life.” Visit www.ebth.com for more information, and follow EBTH on Facebook and Instagram You can find Karin Socci at The Serene Home You can find Kristyn Ivey at For the Love of TidySpecial Guests: Brian Graves and Jacquie Denny.

Part 2 of 3. Linda Lightman, walks us through the evolution of eBay and how she became the go-to seller for eBay consignments, leaving us with savvy selling tips to help you profit from your items that no longer spark joy. Today’s episode of Spark Joy is Part 2 of a three part series dedicated to Selling Your Clutter. What do you do with those items that no longer spark joy? We’re dedicating three episodes to how to make your clutter pay you back. Our guest today, Linda Lightman, is the founder and CEO of Linda’s Stuff. A former attorney, Linda took a leap of faith in 2001 and became an innovator and an entrepreneur as a go-to seller on eBay for consignments. Linda presides over a company that has grown to become the largest, most successful consignment seller of designer fashion on eBay in the world. We want to hear from you! Tell us your burning tidying questions or share stories about how KonMari has impacted your life. Find us at www.sparkjoypodcast.com and click “Ask Spark Joy” to leave a question or comment for a chance to be featured on next week’s show. While you’re there, sign-up to join our Spark Joy podcast community and get notified when each episode airs. You can also join the Spark Joy podcast community on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter at the handle @sparkjoypodcast. In this episode, you’ll enjoy: Hear how Linda found her passion in online consigment following her career as an attorney. Learn the history of Linda's Stuff and how Linda's company evolved along with eBay. Learn the types of people who are buying and selling on eBay and what the process entails. How to consign things on eBay with Linda and how the comission structure works: How to Consign with Linda's Stuff Linda's take on how to find and sell things in your home that no longer Spark Joy! What items are selling and what items are in demand. How KonMari has changed the consignment world. Tips for getting the most out of your consignment. Finally, Listener Jenn sends in a great question about whether Craigslist or eBay is the way to go when discarding things that no longer spark joy. Linda gives her some great feedback! Gems: “Start small, go around your home and find the things that no longer spark joy…walk around with a different eye and look for the things that will bring you money.” “I began by selling my own clothing and accessories. And so, a business was born.” “We have a 140, 000 unique items on our site every day.” “Accessories are one size fits all item and they always sell the best.” “I think Marie Kondo did a lot for women going into their closets. Does this item bring me joy or should I think about getting rid of it?” “I believe that all of us have, on average, 53 items we could sell from our homes and make $3,000!” “Women tend to wear 20% of their clothing, 80% of the time.” “Make sure everything you sell is authentic.” What Sparks Joy for Linda: “My family life. My husband and I work together we have too great sons and a soon to be new daughter in law. And, it’s that time with my family. I just cannot say enough about that!” Linda's parting words of wisdom: “Do what you love, and love what you do, and you’ll never feel like you’re working.” You can reach Linda at Shop Linda's Stuff Her instagram account is @shoplindasstuff And, Linda's FaceBook is at: Linda's Stuff on Facebook You can find Karin Socci at The Serene Home You can find Kristyn Ivey at For the Love of TidySpecial Guest: Linda Lightman.

Part 1 of 3. Skye Lehman, tells us about the world of luxury consignment with The RealReal, how it all works, and how you can make some money with luxury goods that no longer spark joy. Today’s episode of Spark Joy is Part 1 of a three part series dedicated to selling your clutter. What do you do with those items that no longer spark joy? We’re dedicating three episodes to how to make your clutter pay you back. Skye Lehman is a Luxury Consultant for The RealReal, country's largest authenticated luxury consignment marketplace. With the company four years, Skye meets with her clients in their homes to help them make the most of items they are no longer using or wearing-ranging from Handbags & Jewelry to Fine Art. She lives in New York City with her dog, Jax. We want to hear from you! Tell us your burning tidying questions or share stories about how KonMari has impacted your life. Find us at www.sparkjoypodcast.com and click “Ask Spark Joy” to leave a question or comment for a chance to be featured on next week’s show. While you’re there, sign-up to join our Spark Joy podcast community and get notified when each episode airs. You can also join the Spark Joy podcast community on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter at the handle @sparkjoypodcast. In this episode, you’ll enjoy: How a chance encounter led to Skye’s career in luxury consignment. What Skye’s day is like as the luxury consignment manager at The RealReal. What popular consignment items are most sought after and which items will result in the biggest return. Tips for deciding what items to consign and how to determine what something might be worth. How The RealReal hunts down amazing things and helps buyers find the things that truly spark joy. They have between 10,000 to 50,000 items on the site at any given time! Why handbags and jewelry are usually in higher demand than other items. Learn about the process for consigning items with The RealReal. How to Consign at The RealReal Some of the life-changing moments Skye has witnessed while helping her clients let go of items they no longer love. Gems: "I don't take anything from a client to cosign unless I know the client is 100% ok with it." "Those items that notoriously don't go on sale or which are very iconic items..have consistent high resell value." "The money really lies in their handbags, jewelry and watches." "You can just get the checks as they roll in!" "It makes me feel so good to be recycling items and not over consuming." What Sparks Joy for Skye: Being able to be here and talk about what I do and hope to change more lives. Helping people know what is worth letting go of and finging value in the process" Skye's parting words of wisdom: Everything in your home and around you should spark joy. I talk to people about it each day, but Its much harder to do it for yourself. So to remember everyday what we do for ourselves and others. And to take it back with you and bring it home! Skye has a special offer for our listeners. She is available for a complementary virtual consultation to discuss your consignments with you. You can even send her photos for her review! It’s a great way to learn about the potential value of your items and if there is demand for those items in the second-hand market place. You can contact Skye at Skye.Lehman@thererealreal.com To learn more about The RealReal, check them out at therealreal.com The RealReal You can find Karin Socci at The Serene Home You can find Kristyn Ivey at For the Love of TidySpecial Guest: Skye Lehman.

Spark Joy co-hosts and KonMari Consultants, Karin and Kristyn, answer common questions related to maintaining a tidy home and lifestyle. In this episode we'll explore the maintenance aspect of the tidying process and reassure you that permanently tidy home is not only a possibility, but certainly attainable with some hard work upfront. Note: We recommend you listen to this episode if you're at the tail end or end of your KonMari tidying journey. We're providing these recommendations with the assumption that you’ve completed tidying across all categories. This is when the magic of maintaining the lifestyle truly shines! If you're just getting started with KonMari or need a refresher, we recommend you head over to Episode 1: KonMari 101 prior to listening to this episode. We want to hear from you! Tell us your burning tidying questions or share stories about how KonMari has impacted your life. Find us at www.sparkjoypodcast.com and click “Ask Spark Joy” to leave a question or comment for a chance to be featured on next week’s show. While you’re there, sign-up to join our Spark Joy podcast community and get notified when each episode airs. You can also join the Spark Joy podcast community on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter at the handle @sparkjoypodcast. In this episode, you’ll enjoy: Joy Checks: Karin prepares for an upcoming long weekend in PA and Kristyn's parents enjoy visiting her new tidy apartment in Chicago. We answer five common questions associated with maintaining a tidy lifestyle: My KonMari event is complete. What now? Ref: Episode 5: The KonMari Lifestyle What should you do when your home feels cluttered all of a sudden and you feel like you’ve relapsed? Ref: Episode 39: Closet Joy Part II: Build Your Capsule Wardrobe How do I handle items I come across that, over time, seem to be losing their joy value? What do you do when things are crossing the threshold of your home and they don’t have a designated place rest? Ref: Episide 31: Shopaholic No More How often should I joy check? We conclude this episode with five tips that will help you get back to KonMari basics: Recall and reconsider the vision of your ideal life and express appreciation for items that no longer serve your vision and send them on to their next life. Reset your home to zero by setting everything back into place and make adjustments as needed Consider whether the items you love and use are stored in their best permanent home Ensure your shopping decision making criteria isn’t conflicting with your ability to handle any influx of new clutter Joy check as needed or desired based on the natural life cycle of items in your home Gems: "Celebrate and appreciate the joy that surrounds you and the vision of your ideal lifestyle." "We hope that post-konmari, you're able to happily allow family and friends to enjoy each other and create happy memories. "The reality is, things in your home will get out of order KonMari or no KonMari." "Rebound is the state where things without a designated storage place begin to crowd your home all over again." "Establish a pattern of expressing appreciation as you finish using or wearing an item." "KonMari is a method or approach or mental model that you can always fall back on in times of transition." You can find Karin Socci at The Serene Home You can find Kristyn Ivey at For the Love of Tidy

Closet Joy Part 3 of 3. Our guest, Tara Button, helps you curate a mindful life of less throwaway that extends well beyond your closet, ultimately impacting the environment and the global community. Today’s episode of Spark Joy is part three of a three part series dedicated to closet joy. We’ll talk to three guests who are revolutionizing the way we view fashion and style. Tara Button, founder of BuyMeOnce, is at the forefront of the global movement to change the way we shop and live forever. In 2013 Tara went from depressed spendthrift to fulfilled entrepreneur, using a technique she calls ‘mindful curation.” Her new book A Life of Less Throwaway, teaches the steps to master this lifestyle change. We want to hear from you! Tell us your burning tidying questions or share stories about how KonMari has impacted your life. Find us at www.sparkjoypodcast.com and click “Ask Spark Joy” to leave a question or comment for a chance to be featured on next week’s show. While you’re there, sign-up to join our Spark Joy podcast community and get notified when each episode airs. You can also join the Spark Joy podcast community on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter at the handle @sparkjoypodcast. In this episode, you’ll enjoy: How a cooking pot inspired Tara to get out of debt, change her spending habits and champion a buy it once culture and platform How the "mindful curation" technique featured in Tara's book, A Life Less Throwaway, helps you find out what's meaningful to you Why we need to notice the preassures of advertising and recognize things are typically not made to last a lifetime, perpetuating the cycle of buy, use once, throwaway How you can "take stock" of the things in your home to focus on how you accumulated your stuff and how to find things that help you live your life's purpose How Tara's book helps you get off the trend treadmill and decide what kind of person you want to project to the world Celebrities that are trending for repeating the same outfit on multiple occasions How longevity (buying things that last longer) has the biggest impact on the planet (bigger than recycling!) How looking at your past Amazon purchases can help you confront your consumerism and shopping patterns How Tara is not a naturally tidy person, but was able to apply decluttering techniques and be more discerning about the things she purchases How identifying what makes you happy and what gives you purpose helps you understand how to make certain things in your home accessible The connection between mindful curation and finding your purpose and priorities, while focusing on the things that matter. How thinking about what you want people to say about you once you're gone helps you understand what you really care about How researching and writing down colors, styles, fabircs, and brands before you start to shop will help you be more mindful and sustainable when you shop The system that determines what products land on BuyMeOnce Mindufully curated closet maintenance tips, including the Guppyfriend Washing Bag How to properly "do your colors" to get a sense of which ones bring you alive Examples of items in Tara's home that she's only bought once Gems: "The whole world is trying to persuade you to buy mindlessly." "People don't talk about longevity when it comes to the planet." "I now don't bring anything into my home that I'm not going to have for a decade or so." "When it comes to things that are going to make us happy in the long term, it's all about our community and relationships." "The fashion industry is the second most poluting industry in the world, after the oil industry." "As humans, we know we need things to survive. Not shopping is not an option." "Buy things that will make you feel good in the long term." "Write a list of the things that you don't need in your life and you'll feel a surge of gratitude for everything you have." Tara’s favorite tidying tip: Start with items that are not emptionally resonant. Start with your pants! What sparks joy for Tara: Taking a moment out of her day to be creative by writing children's books. You can find more about Tara by visiting www.buymeonce.com. Be sure to pick up Tara Button's book, A Life Less Throwaway, and follow her on Instagram (@tara_button) and Twitter (@tarabutton) You can find Karin Socci at The Serene Home You can find Kristyn Ivey at For the Love of Tidy Special Guest: Tara Button.

Closet Joy Part 2 of 3. Our guest, Courtney Carver, shares minimalist wardrobe tips centered around 33 pieces that will help you be more with less. Today’s episode of Spark Joy is part two of a three part series dedicated to closet joy. We’ll talk to three guests who are revolutionizing the way we view fashion and style. We’re going to learn how to be more with less from one of the minimalism movement’s veterans - Courtney Carver. Courtney changed her life by simplifying it after a devastating diagnosis in 2006. She’s the founder of bemorewithless.com and minimalist fashion challenge Project 333. Her new book Soulful Simplicity was published by Penguin Random House. Carver shows us the power of simplicity to improve our health, build more meaningful relationships, and relieve stress in our professional and personal lives. We want to hear from you! Tell us your burning tidying questions or share stories about how KonMari has impacted your life. Find us at www.sparkjoypodcast.com and click “Ask Spark Joy” to leave a question or comment for a chance to be featured on next week’s show. While you’re there, sign-up to join our Spark Joy podcast community and get notified when each episode airs. You can also join the Spark Joy podcast community on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter at the handle @sparkjoypodcast. In this episode, you’ll enjoy: The documentary about Minimalism that featured Courtney's story How a health scare in 2006 led Courtney to explore her wardrobe to reduce stress and improve her overall well-being The origins of Courtney's personal challenge, Project 333, that focuses on paring down your wardrobe to 33 items or less for three months How Courtney connected her shopping behaviors to dissatisfaction in other areas of her life How tucking excess clothing away, out of sight instead of immediately discarding allowed Courtney to experiment with having a capsule wardrobe without evoking unnecessary stress How you may already be practicing Project 333 without even knowing it! Why you don't have to have exactly 33 pieces to simplify your wardrobe. (hint: there's no magic number!) How to handle laundry, occasional wear, and goal clothes when simplifying your closet How Project 333, KonMari, and frugality don't promote suffering or deprivation. The methods are meant to be helpful, stressless and value add The Be More with Less courses, virtual community, and Tiny Wardrobe Tour How dressing with less has helped those in Courtney's community lose weight and recover from depression and anxiety disorders Courtney's steps to minimalism for beginners: Dress with Less Write it Down Discard the Duplicates Declare a clutter-free zone Travel lightly Eat Similar Meals Have an Emergency Fund Why you have to have a good "why" to shape a compelling reason to change How Courtney followed Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover to get out of debt in three years and establish an emergency fund The importance of creating a clutter free KonMari Power Zone The future of Be More with Less Gems: "I didn't know what enough was." "Your workout clothes have to workout." "I didn't know what I loved." "It's just interesting to really notice what you're actually wearing." "This isn't a project in suffering." "In the history of my life, a smaller size has never gotten me to where I want to be." "Choose clothes that fit you today." "I wanted one area for the family that would inspire us to declutter other areas." "Don't discount the tiny steps, because that's what big change is." Courtney’s favorite tidying tip: Reset to zero. What sparks joy for Courtney: Her daughter's golden doodle puppy Stanley. To connect with Courtney Carver, visit Be More with Less and follow her on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. If you’re interested in Courtney’s book “Soulful Simplicity: How Living with Less Can Lead to So Much More” she's made a free copy of Chapter 1 available for Spark Joy listeners. You can find Karin Socci at The Serene Home You can find Kristyn Ivey at For the Love of Tidy Special Guest: Courtney Carver.

Closet Joy Part 1 of 3. Our guest, Dr. Jessica Louie, is an entrepreneur, critical care pharmacist, and assistant professor. She is the founder and CEO of Petite Style Script and Find Your Script. Today’s episode of Spark Joy is Part one of a three part series dedicated to closet joy. We’ll talk to three guests who are revolutionizing the way we view fashion and style. Dr. Jessica Louie is an entrepreneur, critical care pharmacist, and assistant professor. She is the founder and CEO of Petite Style Script and Find Your Script. With a broad background of experiences, she centers her focus on sparking joy and inspiring confidence in life. We want to hear from you! Tell us your burning tidying questions or share stories about how KonMari has impacted your life. Find us at www.sparkjoypodcast.com and click “Ask Spark Joy” to leave a question or comment for a chance to be featured on next week’s show. While you’re there, sign-up to join our Spark Joy podcast community and get notified when each episode airs. You can also join the Spark Joy podcast community on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter at the handle @sparkjoypodcast. In this episode, you’ll enjoy: -How Jessica became interested in KonMari and then went on to start Petite Style Script -Along with fashion, Jessica is an advocate for pharmacists with her blog and website at: Find Your Script -She found that focusing on fashion helped her convey her confidence and her competence in her field. -Learn how Jessica went through the KonMari process and how the process was key in helping her discover her calling in both fashion and advocacy. -Jessica’s take on capsule wardrobes and how she has made it work for her. The work that she does in -Her focus on using the clothing items you have more effectively and adding in your own personality to the decision making process. -How Jessica sees the role of KonMari in developing a sense of style that brings you joy! Gems: “There were times when I just laughed out loud in my car while listening to Marie Kondo because it resonated so much with me.” "I wanted to hold myself accountable for my shopping going forward.” "I wanted other to own clothing that they love and that they invest in quality pieces because it’s really about quality over quantity.” "This isn’t minimalism, I don’t talk about any definitive number of items to own.” “I focus on people who are re-building their wardrobes after KonMari or after a major transition.” Jessica’s favorite tidying tip: “Learning how to fold. It seems very simple but getting your clothes off your hangers and learning how to appreciate and fold them properly really makes a big difference, I think!” What sparks joy for Jessica: “A canvas painting of New York City that is up on my kitchen wall exactly where I can see it. It brings make great memories of visiting New York and is very inspirational.” To connect with Jessica visit Petite Style Script Jessica is on Facebook at Petite Style Script on Facebook Jessica's Twitter: P Style Script on Twitter Here is Jessica’s info on Seasonal Capsule Wardrobes: Seasonal Capsule Wardrobes On Jessica’s blog she offers capsule wardrobe style tips and a free kit for starting your own capsule wardrobe: Capsule Wardrobe Starter Kit Each season Jessica conducts a virtual Capsule Wardrobe Challenge: Spring Capsule Wardrobe Challenge And, Jessica is becoming a Certified KonMari Consultant. Yay, Jessica! Jessica’s KonMari Page You can find Karin Socci at The Serene Home You can find Kristyn Ivey at For the Love of Tidy Special Guest: Jessica Louie.

Spark Joy co-hosts and KonMari Consultants, Karin and Kristyn, talk about 17 obvious and hidden costs associated with living with clutter that is slowly stealing your joy. In this episode, we attempt to uncover and put a price tag on the hidden costs associated with delaying your KonMari tidying event. Like many common lifestyle challenges (losing weight, getting out of debt, finding a new job) the longer you wait to get started, the more the issue compounds and slowly steals your joy. So it’s time to get real and talk about the physical and emotional costs associated with keeping clutter around. Now we want to hear from you! Tell us your burning tidying questions or share stories about how KonMari has impacted your life. Find us at www.sparkjoypodcast.com and click “Ask Spark Joy” to leave a question or comment for a chance to be featured on next week’s show. While you’re there, sign-up to join our Spark Joy podcast community and get notified when each episode airs. You can also join the Spark Joy podcast community on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter at the handle @sparkjoypodcast. In this episode, you’ll enjoy: Joy Checks: Karin surprises her mom in Kansas City and Kristyn finds joy on the 606 running trail in Chicago. We breakdown 17 costs associated with clutter: The cost of storing your clutter outside of your home The cost of not using everything that you've purchased The cost of having unutilized space within your home Clutter Cost Formula The cost of buying/renting a bigger home to accommodate things that don't spark joy The cost of the clutter damaging your home over time Calendar clutter: time and energy Refer to Ep 30 | Simply B Organized with Laurie Palau The cost of clutter getting in the way of you finding what you need The cost of clutter getting in the way of things you truly need to do Book: Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity Refer to Episode 16 | Stress Free Holiday Joy with Amanda Jefferson The cost of negative thinking or self talk The cost of ignoring your own reality The cost of using shopping to cope Refer to Episode 31 | Shopaholic No More with Dr. April Benson The cost of linking your self worth to a certain type of collection of things or a particular lifestyle The cost of clutter that blocks your ability to execute certain physical activities The cost of clutter that limits your ability to make healthy choices Refer to Episode 3 Face Your Stuff with Dorothy The Organizer The cost of clutter that limits relationships and your quality of life with your friends and family The cost of clutter that prevents you from accessing information critical to uncovering the reality of your finances, preventing you from reaching true wealth/abundance Refer to Episode 6 Declutter Your Path to Wealth with Tess Wicks The cost of clutter that locks you into consumption patterns that lead you to having no choice in the type of job situation or career choice - even if it’s not ideal Refer to the the ChooseFI community The cost of clutter that prevents you from pursuing your life purpose/feeling fulfilled, understanding what true joy means to you Don't worry, we end this episode on a joyful note! We discuss the many ways decluttering can pay you back to counter some of the clutter costs. Gems: "Having a storage locker is like going to visit your past mistakes." "Your space itself is way more valuable than your stuff." "Is this space honoring what's being stored within it?" "Is this space supporting the ideal lifestyle that I desire?" You can find Karin Socci at The Serene Home You can find Kristyn Ivey at For the Love of Tidy

Self confidence is one of those things that some people seem to be born with while others struggle and struggle, feeling confident some days and completely defeated the next. It can feel very elusive, but our guest today absolutely that believes self confidence can grow and flourish in all of us. Our guest, Sheena Yap Chan is a blogger, podcaster, consultant, author and speaker whose sole purpose, drive and passion is to help build women’s self confidence from the ground up. She currently inspires women everyday through her podcast called The Tao of Self Confidence where she interviews various women about their inner journey to self-confidence. We want to hear from you! Tell us your burning tidying questions or share stories about how KonMari has impacted your life. Find us at www.sparkjoypodcast.com and click “Ask Spark Joy” to leave a question or comment for a chance to be featured on next week’s show. While you’re there, sign-up to join our Spark Joy podcast community and get notified when each episode airs. You can also join the Spark Joy podcast community on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter at the handle @sparkjoypodcast. In this episode, you’ll enjoy: -How Sheena made the decision to launch her platform, The Tao of Self Confidence -Some of the amazing stories of women who have overcome great obstacles to achieve their goals shared on Sheen’s podcast The Tao of Self Confidence Podcast -The common traits of women with high self-confidence. -How the process of visualization helps grow self-confidence. -How Sheena’s adventures living on the beach for two years gave her an appreciation for a simpler, more meaningful life. -How limiting herself to wearing only three colors has made a huge difference in the things Sheena’s focuses on. Gems: "I never felt there were enough platforms to celebrate women.” "They all have a huge purpose. A purpose that is bigger than them.” "Learning to figure out things along the way. As women, we can do that.” "Having that mindset of abundance. You’ll attract more things into your life." "Surrounding yourself with great people…will give you feedback on what you can improve on." "How do I see myself if I were this confident person?” Sheena’s favorite tidying tip: “I wear just three colors to make my life a lot easier. It helps me focus on other, more important things.” What sparks joy for Sheena: My podcast! I love helping women…and if I can help one person, I have done my job. It’s all worth it if someone out there hears it and thinks, “If its possible for one person, its possible for me.” Parting words of wisdom: Behind every great woman is herself. You are what creates success. To connect with Sheena Yap Chan visit The Tao of Self Confidence Facebook at Sheena Y. Chan Twitter The Tao of SC on Twitter Sheena's YouTube Channel:The Tao of Self Confidence on YouTube Also, check out her podcast atThe Tao of Self Confidence Podcast Sheena is offering free self talk tape for Spark Joy listeners on her website - Building Self Confidence You can find Karin Socci at The Serene Home You can find Kristyn Ivey at For the Love of TidySpecial Guest: Sheena Yap Chan.

Alaia Williams, business systems analyst, shares tips on calming any chaos that exists in your business so you can make more money while focusing on the things you love. Our guest, Alaia Williams takes her clients from stuck, stalled and struggling with overwhelm and helps them get to a place where they can run their business with a greater sense of calm, clarity and confidence. Alaia started her professional life as a professional organizer and this has informed her work as an organizer of business systems. We want to hear from you! Tell us your burning tidying questions or share stories about how KonMari has impacted your life. Find us at www.sparkjoypodcast.com and click “Ask Spark Joy” to leave a question or comment for a chance to be featured on next week’s show. While you’re there, sign-up to join our Spark Joy podcast community and get notified when each episode airs. You can also join the Spark Joy podcast community on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter at the handle @sparkjoypodcast. In this episode, you’ll enjoy: How Alaia accidentally stumbled upon entrepreneurship when she realized she needed to confront mental clutter that manifested as physical clutter How working with her first organizing client taught Alaia how to lead with empathy when organizing both closets and businesses Why our shared personal decluttering experience best prepare us to relate and help clients grow The impact the recession and feedback from existing clients had on the direction of her business offerings The similarities between being attached to your physical clutter versus attachment to your business The importance of taking time (even a few minutes) to plan every day The five essential systems that every small business needs Alaia's podcast -One Organized Business Why even if you aren't "born" organized, you can learn how to be organized with practice How tiny steps and habit change is the key to lasting change How Alaia was introduced to minimalism when studying the quaker culture, which sparked her continuous quest to live more simply across all areas of her life The benefits of small space living and outsourcing tasks that don't spark joy Gems: "If we don't take time to plan, we walk through every day with our blinders on." "You can spend your entire day marketing and still not make any progress." "The business side is not that different from the personal." "Yesterday was better than today. Today's better than tomorrow." "A small space with good storage is all I need." "Anything that doesn't bring you joy that you can delegate...do it." "Just make the space around you feel good." "Do one tiny thing to move yourself forward." Alaia's favorite tidying tip: Start where you are and start with something small. What sparks joy for Alaia: Simplifying things and keeping everything in her life as simple and harmonious as possible; Having joyful work relationships. Parting words of wisdom: Don't beat yourself up and start where you are right now. To connect with Alaia Williams visit www.alaiawilliams.com and follow her on Facebook, Instagram (@oneorganizedbusiness) and Twitter (@alaiawilliams). Also, check out her podcast and At the Helm women's conference Alaia is offering a free guide to Spark Joy listeners: How to Organize Your Home Office for Maximum Productivity You can find Karin Socci at The Serene Home You can find Kristyn Ivey at For the Love of TidySpecial Guest: Alaia Williams.