Simplify With Smith: A Passion for Order Fuels Woman's New Business

Last winter, starting her own business, Simplify With Smith, was the last thing on Emily Smith's mind. But Smith, who worked in the development office at Trinity Christian College, began to feel God leading her in a different direction.

Smith said the more she prayed and reflected on her career at the college, she repeatedly felt God directing her away from the college and into the unknown.

"Lord, what are you doing? You're really stretching me," Smith remembers thinking at the time.

One day while continuing to process her situation, she was at home organizing her pantry (which, for her, is a stress reliever, she said). Sitting on the floor surrounded by boxes and cans, she suddenly realized how much she loved making order out of chaos. Smith also got in touch with how she wiilingly fell prey to our consumer culture.

"I love the Container Store," she said. "All those bins and baskets. I love it. But I go in there, and it's like the store is telling me, 'You need this. You need this.' "

But because she was being careful with her finances, having given her notice in February and leaving her job in April, Smith would depart without buying anything.

"And I felt empty and regretful," she added.

In those moments, a Bible verse from the book of Timothy kept echoing in her head, and it became the foundation of her fledgling business: We brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out.

"We have so much stuff in our lives," Smith said. "I'm trying to educate people that you don't have to let your stuff control you."

Through Simplify With Smith, she works with her clients using the SPACE process, which means that together they sort, purge, assign a home, containerize and equalize. And together is the key word. Even though--or perhaps because--she is working with the client's "stuff," it's vital that the client take responsibility for his or her possessions and learn to better manage his or her resources of time and money.

But Smith loves the process because she sees her new profession as both a business and a ministry, especially because the relationship doesn't end when the last paper is filed or the last soup can shelved.

Smith routinely maintains contact with her clients after the organizing is done because part of her role is that of accountability partner.

"Within the first 30 days, I call or visit and ask what is working and what is not working. Organizing is getting that system in place (that works long term)," Smith said.

In addition to her individual clients, Smith is offering workshops at local park districts, churches and other venues, such as where she'll present Simplify Today the Proverbs 31 Way. She'll be providing encouragement and tips for becoming an organized, simplified woman of God.

"She's the Proverbs 31 woman," said Jan Sabey, the owner of Evilena's who was excited when Smith came and talked to her about potential workshops. Even though Sabey has never offered faith-based presentations, she's happy to try something new.

"She's living it out. It's great!" Sabey added.

As Smith continues to grow her business (she's working on becoming a certified professional organizer), she said that every week she is seeing more and more fruit come of her hard work. Growing up in a family-owned floral business, she knows that there will be continual effort required of her. But for Smith, the pay off is worth it.

"There's a moment when the client realizes (the value of the work). You can see it on their face. There's a freedom in letting go," Smith said.