Today we’d like to introduce you to Carolina Barreto.
Hi Carolina, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
For most of my life, I was never the super-organized person. That was my mother and my sister! They were both teachers and naturally amazing at keeping things organized. For me, organization was just something I did to get through everyday life. It was never something I thought much about.
That changed when I became a mom.
At the time, I was working in New York, and my job required me to travel overseas. I started noticing that whenever I was away, I would get phone calls from home asking where things were. I remember one particular night when my daughter was having a respiratory episode, and my family couldn’t find her nebulizer and medication. I was overseas, trying to explain over the phone where everything was.
That moment really stayed with me.
I realized that the way I had organized my home worked for me, but not necessarily for anyone else. I wanted my family to be able to find what they needed without depending on me, and I wanted to come home from a trip to a house that was still functioning.
So I started researching organizing strategies and experimenting with ways to make our spaces more intuitive, especially for my children. I wasn’t thinking about becoming a professional organizer. I was simply trying to make our everyday life easier. But somewhere along the way, I discovered that I actually really enjoyed the process.
Fast-forward to 2020, when COVID happened, and I lost my job.
I spent several weeks applying for positions, but finding work was incredibly difficult. I had always dreamed of starting my own business, so I began exploring different ideas, even though the timing couldn’t have seemed worse.
And then one day, something happened that changed everything.
I was organizing our bathroom closet with my oldest daughter, who was four at the time. I loved doing these projects with her. It was a way for us to spend time together while teaching her useful life skills.
The closet was a mess! We took everything out, spread it across the floor, and started sorting things into categories and creating labels.
My daughter knew I was looking for a job. Kids hear everything, right?
At one point, she looked at what we were doing and said something along the lines of, “Mama, this looks really good! You’re so good at this. You should have people pay you to do this, and that could be your job!”
I remember thinking, *Huh. She actually has a point.*
Until then, it had never occurred to me that organizing homes could actually be a business. So I started researching and discovered that professional organizing was indeed a service people were willing to pay for.
Of course, I had my doubts. We were in the middle of a pandemic, businesses were closing, and I was considering starting a company that required me to go into people’s homes. There were plenty of reasons not to do it.
But I had studied entrepreneurship management in British Columbia, Canada, and had spent years working in sales, marketing, and operations for companies of different sizes. I felt I had a good foundation to build a business, and for the first time, I had an idea that felt both personal and practical.
My husband and I put together a business plan, and I invested in professional training through the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals (NAPO), including specialized education in residential organizing and life transitions.
Once I felt ready, I built a website, started advertising online, and just a couple of weeks later, I landed my first client.
That was five years ago.
Today, In Style Home Organizing has helped hundreds of families throughout Northern New Jersey. We have a wonderful team of four organizers and a client success manager who helps us make sure every client has the best possible experience. We’re also approaching 100 five-star Google reviews, something I’m incredibly proud of.
We’re also launching “The Balanced Home with Carolina”, a podcast where I’ll be sharing what we’ve learned over the years and helping more families understand how much of a difference an organized home can make.
When I think about what motivates me today, it’s the same thing that started this journey: I believe organization is about so much more than pretty drawers, matching containers, or beautiful labels.
It’s about creating a home where everyone can function better, become more independent, and have more time and energy for the things that matter.
I started by trying to create that environment for my own family. Today, I get to help other families do the same, and that’s what makes this work so meaningful to me.
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?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road!
One of the biggest challenges I faced was learning how to delegate and understanding that I couldn’t do everything myself.
Coming from a corporate background, I had a strong understanding of business development, sales, and operations. I knew many of the things I needed to do to build a successful company, but knowing what to do and actually implementing it are two very different things.
Another challenge was building a business as someone who wasn’t originally from this country. I’m originally from Uruguay, and unlike many people who start businesses in the communities where they grew up, I didn’t have a lifetime of personal or family connections or an established local network to lean on. I couldn’t rely on people already knowing who I was or trusting my reputation. I had to build those relationships, establish my credibility, and earn my clients’ trust one project at a time.
Everything we’ve built has been genuinely organic, from the ground up, and that’s something I’m incredibly proud of.
On a more personal level, one of my main motivations for starting my own business was to have more control over my schedule and create a better work-life balance. I wanted to build something meaningful while having the flexibility to be present for my two daughters and my elderly mother, whom I help care for.
But during those first few years, the reality was quite the opposite. I was working more hours than I ever had in my corporate career, making less money, and feeling like everything depended on me. I had created a business, but I hadn’t created the freedom I was looking for.
The real turning point came a couple of years ago when I started changing my mindset. I realized that if I wanted the business to grow, I needed to stop trying to do everything myself. I began investing in the right people, learning how to delegate effectively, and creating systems and processes that would allow the company to operate without my constant involvement.
That shift changed everything. The business became more stable, consistent, and scalable, and I finally started experiencing more of the flexibility I had envisioned when I first started.
Looking back, one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that building a successful business isn’t about doing everything yourself. It’s about earning people’s trust, surrounding yourself with the right people, and creating systems that allow the business to grow beyond you.
And interestingly, that’s exactly what we help our clients achieve in their homes: creating systems that make everyday life easier, more efficient, and less overwhelming.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
In Style Home Organizing is a professional home organizing company based in Northern New Jersey. We specialize in helping busy families and professionals create beautiful and easy-to-maintain homes through home organizing, decluttering, unpacking, and relocation support.
What sets us apart is our approach to organization. We believe an organized home should not only look beautiful but also make everyday life easier. We create personalized, sustainable systems that reflect how each family actually lives, helping reduce stress, simplify routines, and create more time for what matters most.
We’ve also developed a strong specialization in unpacking and relocation support, helping families transition into their new homes with less stress. We work closely with homeowners, interior designers, and other professionals to ensure that homes are not only beautifully designed but also thoughtfully organized from day one.
What I’m most proud of is the trust we’ve earned from our clients. We’ve built a wonderful team of professional organizers and a reputation for delivering exceptional service with empathy, professionalism, and absolutely no judgment.
Ultimately, we’re not just organizing homes. We’re helping families create environments where they can truly thrive.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
There are several ways to connect and work with us!
For homeowners in Northern New Jersey looking for help with decluttering, organizing, moving, or settling into a new home, we offer complimentary consultation calls to discuss their needs and explore how we can help. You can learn more about our services and schedule a call at www.instylehomeorganizing.com.
We also love collaborating with realtors, interior designers, architects, and other home professionals who share our commitment to helping clients create beautiful, functional homes and enjoy a smoother transition through moves and renovations.
You can also connect with us on Instagram and YouTube, where we share organizing tips, inspiration, and behind-the-scenes transformations, or tune in to my podcast, The Balanced Home with Carolina, where I share practical advice and conversations about creating a home that supports your lifestyle.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.instylehomeorganizing.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/instylehomeorganizing
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinainstylehomeorganizing
- Youtube: https://www.instagram.com/instylehomeorganizing
