Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelly Meakins.
Hi Kelly, 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?
My background is in styling (wardrobe / props / hair), but I also have a BA in Project Management which is a unique combination, ha! But my true passion, other than styling and design, is working with people.
How I got to where I am today was through a series of moves, actually! My husband Jeff and I and our two girls (ages 6 and 10) have relocated a few times between California and Oregon. After living in the SF Bay Area where our home was much smaller, we found ourselves realizing the value of “space”, as we adjusted which items in our home were actually necessary. My motivation for this company definitely emerged during this time. My husband (a designer) and I had this epiphany after two kids and living in a smaller home, that we are better people when our home is free of clutter. We created a “place” for everything so it could be hidden away. After living through this experience, I felt a strong desire to help other families adopt the concept too.
The Modern Edit started in Portland, OR, in 2018. Two moms, both with a passion for less clutter. With the chaos of kids and life and schedules, we both hoped our precious time could be spent enjoying life and our families, not picking up messes. There was considerable growth the first two years in Portland, and now we’re growing in San Diego, which is very exciting!
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 honestly cherish so much about this business. I love working with people and helping them improve their homes… but also getting to incorporate creativity and design too. As far as struggles go, I’m always striving to improve efficiency – I think we all are. That would probably be my main challenge: just constantly learning and shifting, figuring out growth strategies, and navigating a business! I am constantly motivated by being able to help our clients improve the function of their homes, which is actually pretty life-changing for some.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We are professional organizers with a clean design aesthetic and an attention to detail that sets us apart. Our goal is always to provide long-lasting organizational systems that are maintainable yet also beautiful. The best thing for us is going into a space, emptying everything from it, and then evaluating (with our clients) which items are actually being used regularly. Most people don’t realize that the centrally-located cupboards and cabinets are like prime real estate. It’s a silly waste of a cabinet to store something inside that is being used once a year, for example. We try and maximize these spaces with clearly labeled systems – so everyone in the household is on the same page, and it can stay that way. When everything in the house has a dedicated space… that is always our goal!
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success is accomplishing what we set out to do. For the majority of our clients, organization does not come naturally. Our goal is to help them be successful. WE are only successful when our CLIENTS feel calm in their living space after we leave. We are successful when we return after several months and a family is still utilizing a system and it looks the same as when we left.
Contact Info:
- Email: themoderneditpdx@gmail.com
- Website: themodernedit.me
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themodernedit_/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themodernedit1/
- Other: https://g.page/themodernedit_/review?kd
Image Credits:
Kristin Hallak Photography (some)
