Meet Barbara Metzel

We had the good fortune of connecting with Barbara Metzel and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Barbara, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I saw an opening and the fact that I could truly help people live better. I kept noticing how clutter was affecting people in ways they didn’t always connect to their home stress, decision fatigue, wasted time, and that constant feeling of being behind. What stood out to me was that most people weren’t failing because they didn’t care. They were doing a few common things “wrong”: they tried to organize without decluttering first, they bought storage before defining categories, and they created systems that required too much thinking to maintain.

Once I started helping friends and clients, I realized the solution wasn’t more bins, it was a clear, repeatable system. That’s when my thought process became serious: if I could bring a professional, systems-first approach to decluttering and home organizing, I could create real change that lasted beyond one Saturday cleanup.

That’s why I started Professional Organizing Plus, to provide professional organizing and residential organizing in Phoenix that makes homes calmer, easier to manage, and more functional for everyday life.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am the owner and founder of Professional Organizing Plus, a professional organizing company here in Phoenix, Arizona. I started this business after I realized how much clutter and disorganization can weigh on people. It is not just the mess. It is the stress, the constant feeling of being behind, the time wasted looking for things, the money lost buying duplicate items, and the decision fatigue that builds up every single day.

What sets us apart is that we do not come in to make it pretty for a photo. We focus on systems that actually work in real life. We start with decluttering, then we create clear categories and simple zones so putting things away feels automatic. When the system is right, the home stays organized without constant effort. That is the kind of professional organizing I wish more people understood. It is not about perfection. It is about making your home easier to live in with a system tailored to each client and the way they live.

A big part of my approach comes from my Italian background. I was born and raised in Milan, Italy, and I have always loved the idea that a home can be both beautiful and functional. In Italy, spaces are often smaller, so you learn quickly that everything needs a purpose and the way you set up your home matters. I bring that same mindset into my work here. Efficient, intentional, and designed to support the way you actually live while still looking beautiful.

Getting to where I am today business wise was not easy. In the beginning, I had to do everything myself, from hands-on organizing sessions, to scheduling, shopping for products, creating content, marketing, and learning how to explain the value of what we do to people who thought it was just cleaning. I overcame it by staying consistent, refining my process, and letting results speak for themselves. Word of mouth and repeat clients have been my biggest proof that this work matters.

Right now, I am most excited about my POP 5 Step Reset Method PDF because it turns my real life organizing process into a simple plan anyone can follow. I created my POP PDFs to fill a gap for people who want to get organized but are not ready for in-home help yet, whether it is budget, privacy, timing, or simply feeling overwhelmed. They still want direction and support while doing it themselves.

Building both a hands on organizing business and digital products has not been easy, and I have learned resilience. There were times I promoted my PDFs and did not see the traction I expected, but instead of quitting, I refined the message, listened to what people actually needed, and kept showing up consistently.

The biggest lesson I have learned is that organizing is not about perfection. Each organizing session is unique because every client has their own challenges and lifestyle. It is about creating systems that fit real life, so they are easy to maintain even when life gets busy.

What I want people to know about POP is that this work can feel supportive and empowering. A little Italian sensibility, a lot of practicality, and a clear path forward, whether you want hands on help or a DIY reset you can do at your own pace.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would plan a mix of desert views, great food, a little culture, and a couple of classic Scottsdale nights. We would start with an easy first evening in Arcadia with dinner at Chelsea’s Kitchen, then wake up early for a Camelback hike followed by breakfast at The Henry. One day would be dedicated to the best of downtown with a visit to the Heard Museum, lunch at Pizzeria Bianco to honor my Italian heritage with a delicoius italian style pizza, and time walking Roosevelt Row to see murals, coffee shops, and local galleries, then dinner somewhere special like Bacanora if we can get a table. I would also make sure we had a resort day in Paradise Valley, either at Sanctuary Camelback Mountain or Montelucia, with a pool afternoon, spa time, and a long sunset dinner. Midweek, we would drive up to Sedona for the red rocks, a short hike, and lunch in one of my favorite places at l’Auberge right by the creek.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d love to dedicate my shoutout to NAPO (the National Association of Productivity & Organizing Professionals) and Napo AZ Chapter. When you’re building a professional organizing business, it’s not just about being “good at organizing”, it’s about learning best practices, ethics, client confidentiality, and how to create systems that are practical and sustainable.

NAPO helped me feel grounded in the professionalism of this industry and make many friends along the way. It provided education, resources, and a community of organizers who take the work seriously, especially around how clutter impacts people emotionally and how to approach decluttering in a respectful, judgment free way.

I’m also grateful for the broader organizing community and the mentors and peers who are generous with their knowledge. That support made a real difference as I built Professional Organizing Plus and grew my home organizing and decluttering services in Phoenix.

Website: https://www.professionalorganizingplus.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/professionalorganizingplus

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/professional-organizing-plus

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/professionalorganizingplus

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/professional-organizing-plus-phoenix

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@professionalorganizingplus