Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Ross
Hi Jennifer, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Looking back, it all makes sense how I got to where I am today. Growing up in Vermont (until moving to San Antonio at age 13), I used to count everything that is countable, kept my room tidy, and organized my father and stepmother’s house every summer. But I also built fern forts in the spring and giant snow igloos in the winter and climbed trees to sketch and write poetry and sing. I was an A student, earned a fine arts degree, taught high school art, worked my way up from graphic artist to director at a software development company, and then ditched that very demanding job when I became a new mom and discovered what demanding really means.
Artist, dreamer, builder, teacher, manager, leader, and mom with perfectionism tendencies. These are all qualities and skills that actually make me a very good professional home organizer.
I founded The Spruce Goose in 2013 when my kids were in school, and I’ve gradually grown it into the successful small business it is today. One of my goals as a business owner has been to support women, even in my very tiny way. It has always troubled me that women who care for their families often struggle to find meaningful part-time work that nourishes them without being all-consuming. We need time to support and enjoy our families, but we also deserve opportunities outside the home that earn us money and feed our souls.
The Spruce Goose organizers bring peace to clients and their households by helping them pare down, create order and beauty, and make sense of their belongings, spaces, and minds. Guiding clients through this transformation is incredibly rewarding to us. And to strike that balance between work and home life, my team communicates their availability through a shared calendar, so they don’t have to work when they don’t want to. The goal is to make it a win-win-win for my employees, the business, and our clients.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It hasn’t been a completely smooth road so far, but only because of the business part of the business. I’ve been called a fantastic organizer and an empath many times, but I have never been called a business expert! I don’t like numbers, I don’t like sales or marketing or talking to insurance carriers or software developers or financial institutions. Sometimes those things get me down.
I just want to work in someone’s home with some lovely person, and possibly hear their story as we work to improve their life. I love to see the weight lifted off their shoulders, to see their smile, and to know that I did some good!
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
The Spruce Goose organizers work with our clients to create organized, beautiful, efficient, and clutter-free spaces.
Our mission is to meet clients where they are and guide them to where they want to be. Many of our clients have busy schedules, may dislike organizing, or feel unsure about their skills. Others face health limitations or struggle to part with belongings, even when they recognize the need to do so. Some clients feel overwhelmed by inherited items and need support in making decisions about them, so we work together at their pace to sort through their stuff and with no pressure or judgment.
One of our core services is home organizing. Whether it’s a pantry, garage, or closet, we transform these spaces to be aesthetically pleasing and user-friendly, ensuring that everyone can find what they need and feel happy in their space. We consider accessibility for all users (children, the elderly, and those with disabilities, for example), while also creating and recommending effective storage solutions. Labeling is another key element we encourage, as it helps clients maintain organization over time.
Before organizing, however, we often must assist our clients with decluttering, so that we’re organizing only what they love, use, and want to keep. We understand that letting go can be challenging, so we provide compassionate support to help them navigate these decisions. We don’t just guide clients in determining the best options for unwanted items; we also help them take action, whether that means discarding, donating, gifting to friends or family, or preparing items for sale.
In addition to organizing, we offer unpacking services. We carefully unpack boxes and find logical homes for every item, working closely with clients to tailor the setup to their lifestyle and preferences. If necessary, we provide recommendations for additional items that could enhance their new space.
We also specialize in holiday services, including unpacking Christmas boxes to assist with decorating, or packing it all back up in an organized way and returning it to storage.
Since 2013, we have proudly served the Greater San Antonio Area, bringing experience and understanding to every project. Our complimentary Needs Assessment (up to one hour) allows clients to meet us and feel comfortable before deciding to work with us. We don’t require large time or financial commitments; instead, we charge by the hour, with a minimum of four hours per day. With over 75 five-star reviews on Google, we are truly humbled by the generous feedback our clients have shared. We invite you to read our reviews and visit our website to learn more about our story!
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
It’s important that our homes are arranged and organized for how we live so that we can find maximum comfort there. That was made much more evident when we were forced to spend a lot more time together during the Covid-19 Crisis.
Also, we seem to be best when we’re kind, patient, and present.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thesprucegoosetx.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesprucegoosetxorganizers/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JenniferRossTheSpruceGooseTX/
