Organization is woman's business

With the boom of television shows such as TLC's Clean Sweep and HGTV's Mission Organization, one area woman hopes to capitalize on people's desire to organize their homes and offices with one of the area's newest businesses, Save My Space! Organizing.

Julie Bonner opened the business a little more than a year ago, but has recently started a campaign to win over crowded homes and offices with the techniques and tips she offers customers.

The Bonner family, including husband Todd and three children, ages 7, 6 and 1, has moved five times in the past seven years.

"Each move and each house presented a new and exciting challenge," said Bonner, a stay-at-home mom until her recent business venture. "Some houses had great storage and lots of space, but some did not. I quickly realized that being organized was the answer and that it didn't matter what size the house was or how many closets it had."

Teaching others the rules of organizing is Bonner's goal. As a mom, she understands the challenges children bring to the home and has a solution to making a hectic household a relatively organized one.

"My husband and I really strive at living simple," said Bonner, who has no formal organizational training, but is a member of the International Association of Professional Organizers. "By living simple, we have less to take care of and less to worry about."

The Bonners teach their children the same concept of simple living. For example, when their children bring a new toy into the home, they must find one to give away to make room for the newly acquired one.

"Clutter and disorganization have been around forever," said Bonner, who says that she rarely watches the organization shows on television. "But what these shows have done is bring a greater awareness to this issue. They let people know that they are not alone in this; that there are other people out there with the same issues."

Bonner, who has enjoyed keeping her space tidy ever since she was a child, said her main goal is to have fun doing what she loves.

"I hope to educate the public of the benefits of organized living," she said, adding that she will start with residential customers and hopes to expand into the corporate world.

"I love to write and I love to teach," said Bonner, who will teach a class on organizing at Stevens Creek Community Church.

It is essential, Bonner said, to start with a command center when organizing your home.

"For a family with children, a command center with the family calendar, an area for phone messages and incoming papers is a must," she said.

Other organizing tips that Bonner offers is to store things where they are used and to keep your car organized.

"We spend a lot of time in our cars," she said. "It's good to keep restaurant coupons in our glove box and have a small trash can and emergency kit in the vehicle."

For more organization tips, visit Bonner's Web site at www.savemyspaces.com. Guests can sign up to have tips e-mailed to them and learn more about Bonner's business.

"It's a process I'll go through with them," she said of organizing a home.