Today we’d like to introduce you to Jami Shapiro.
Jami, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Jami Shapiro’s journey to founding Silver Linings Transitions began with a profound wake-up call. In 2004, at just 30 years old, Jami received a cancer diagnosis that forced her to reassess everything about her life. As a 20-year thyroid cancer survivor, that experience taught her what truly matters and planted the seeds for what would become her life’s mission.
Ten years later, while navigating her own divorce as a single mother of three, Jami discovered the National Association of Senior Move Managers when they held their conference in San Diego. It felt like fate. Drawing on her background in real estate and her own experiences with major life transitions, Jami Shapiro, CSA, founded Silver Linings Transitions in 2014. The name itself reflects her belief that even in our darkest moments, there’s always a silver lining to be found.
What started as a senior move management company evolved as Jami recognized a need that wasn’t being met. Many of her clients were what she called “organizationally challenged,” and it took her nine years to realize what she was seeing: older adults living with undiagnosed ADHD hiding in plain sight their entire lives—just like her own mother.
Coming from a family where both parents have ADHD and chronic disorganization, Jami had firsthand experience with how overwhelming clutter and transitions can feel. When she received her own ADHD diagnosis, followed by her child’s diagnosis, everything clicked into place. She finally understood the struggles she’d witnessed her whole life.
This realization transformed Jami’s approach and expanded Silver Linings Transitions’ services to include specialized organizing for those with ADHD, along with home, paperwork, and photo organization. She pursued certifications as a Certified Senior Move Manager, Level II Specialist in ADHD with the Institute for Challenging Disorganization, and as an ADHD Coach with ADDCA. Jami also became a Certified Senior Advisor and Certified Divorce Coach to better serve clients through all of life’s challenging transitions.
The most rewarding part of Jami’s journey has been launching the “Grandma Has ADHD” podcast and authoring the book “This Explains So Much”, where she addresses the largely overlooked intersection of aging and ADHD. It’s become a space where older adults discovering their ADHD can finally understand why they’ve always felt different.
Today, Silver Linings Transitions is more than a business—it’s a mission-driven company that provides compassionate, expert care during life’s most tender and overwhelming moments. The company also creates career opportunities for women transitioning back into the workforce after caring for family members, because Jami has lived that challenge too.
Jami Shapiro, CSA, believes every major life transition deserves to be met with compassion, dignity, and someone who truly understands—not just the logistics, but the emotions. That’s the silver lining she’s found in her own journey, and it’s what she’s honored to offer others.
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?
In the beginning of starting Silver Linings Transitions, my 15 year marriage ended and I had three young children. I had no funding and didn’t know how I would make it happen. I had faith and put one foot in front of the other. I borrowed money from my former mother in law, money from my child’s college fund and took out zero interest credit cards. Shortly afterwards I discovered I had ADHD which explained so many unanswered questions.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Silver Linings Transitions is an A+ Accredited Senior and Specialty Move Management Company providing home and photo organizing services. I am most proud of the team who put their heart and talent into helping our clients through major life transitions or to get “organized”. It’s not enough though to have someone organize you if you don’t understand the “why” behind it. This is why my work as an ADHD coach alongside my team is unique. Additionally, I bring more than 10 years of dedicated real estate experience and work as an unbiased guide he[ping senior clients identify the right path when the home they’ve lived in becomes too hard to handle. Though I don’t work as a Realtor, I’ve maintained my license so I am able to provide free or heavily discounted services through a referral fee.
How do you think about luck?
I am fortunate that one of the traits of ADHD is resilience. I attribute many of my strengths to ADHD – creativity, a strong sense of justice, flexibility and energy. Like everyone, I have had my share of good and bad luck but I believe the bad things in our life happen “for” us and not “to” us. I ask myself, “what is the here to teach me?”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.JamiShapiro.ME
- Other: https://www.SilverLiningsTransitions.com
Image Credits
Jenni Summers
