Client Testimonials
Business Clients
Success far reaching…
Jana generated a direct and immediate effect on productivity within our offices by providing customized organizing solutions that really work! Her expertise was quickly demonstrated as she proved that anyone can get out from underneath a sea of paperwork and clutter.
Jana began her “magic” by first interviewing people in our office that had the most difficulty managing paper flow and retrieving information in a timely manner.
Once she had a basic grasp of their individual personalities, styles and needs, she worked along side the individual to develop a meaningful system of organization, and one that was easily maintained. The end product was the individual’s enhanced ability to track, process and retrieve information quickly, confidently and efficiently, encouraging trust and collaboration among their peers and clients.
We have benefited enormously from Jana’s involvement with these key individuals. They are not only more organized, productive and less stressed, but they are also happier people. The success experienced with our staff is far-reaching and the benefits are long lasting. I would encourage any individual or business to seek out Jana’s Sensible Organizing Solutions!
Vickie Fortie, Vice President of Turpin & Rattan Engineering, Inc.
Making sense of inherited files…
Jana, Thank you so much for helping our office make sense of the hundreds of files and stray papers that were inherited from a previous Administrator. Trying to figure out her system was costing us valuable hours of time better spent on other matters. We can now find vital information with greater ease and speed.
You have also been instrumental in helping me to be in better control of time, projects and work relationships. I feel more confident about managing my responsibilities and setting healthier boundaries now. We will definitely be calling you to help as we prepare for a major transition this Summer.
Lindsay Langford, Vice President , Johnson Family Foundation
You are one of the best..
Thank you for all of your help with my home and business offices! You are one of the best and of course you can use my name for referrals.
Dianne York, President/CEO, La Jolla Spa MD
Cutting through the clutter and chaos…
Thank you, Jana, for all of your hard work, organized thinking and clear communication. You helped me get my office back on track and motivated me to function at a new level. I would recommend you to any business or individual who needs help cutting through the clutter and chaos and creating new systems for productivity.
Paul Breithaupt, Vice President, Strategic Financial Alliance
Opportunity costs…
You probably saved me hours of searching for a bank statement to prove to a representative that I was guaranteed a lower rate! What did I learn about “opportunity costs” in my first B.S. degree??? Now I know what it truly means! Thank you.
Connie Whitcraft, M.Ed., Academic Coach
I’m loving the flow of my office!…
The action bins really work for me and I’m more motivated to keep random papers off my desk top. Your idea to remove the cumbersome doors from my product supplies closet was brilliant! Now I can see and easily access the many well-labeled, organized bins!
Monica Astorga, President, Green Frog Promotions
I can’t stay out of my ‘new’ office!…
Thank you for all your hard work and inspiration. I love my desk viewing the patio; far much nicer than a wall. Everything is right at my fingertips and I have room on my desk for other work besides the computer. Clean and uncluttered are other good words that describe the space.
Mary Herron, Philantropist and Former Mayor of Coronado
My desk is now clean by the end of each day…
Jana, you’ll be happy to hear that I have had my desk clean by the end of each day about 90% of the time since you were here. I have also weeded through two more file drawers, reorganizing them with the labels up front and centering them. Thanks for your good work!
Mindy Bortness,, Communication Works, Inc.
In awe with the transformation…
The enthusiasm you had during our sessions helped me get through the clutter I thought would take weeks to sort out. I am in awe with the transformation and still getting used to all of the space in my office. Plus… no more ugly boxes!
Clarissa Rullan, Realtor
Multi-talented and dynamic…
Dear Jo, Can you recommend an organizer? I thought you said you had used one. Any lessons learned to pass would be great as well!
Maureen, Here she is: www.sensibleorganizing.com. That’s Jana Hartwell, the very best!!! We have been working together for over a year and I recommend her without hesitation. She is multi-talented and dynamic. Go for it!
Johanna Lessner, Ph.D.
An effective system was developed…
One of our higher-level project managers was juggling multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously. Several of his projects were reaching critical benchmarks and his abilities were stretched beyond his current capacity. Jana Hartwell was brought in to help him improve basic organizational and time management skills. An easy and effective system was developed that not only served the purpose of successfully bridging this manager through critical points in the projects — the skills learned became habits he still puts to use.
Jana Valtrakis, Chong Partners
My colleagues have been flocking to see…
It was thrilling to come to school the first day to a clean, organized, and aesthetically pleasing office. My colleagues can’t believe it and have been flocking to see for themselves.This is fun!
Carol Josselyn, Professor of Speech/Communications, Foothills Community College
Residential Clients
In safe hands…
Client’s Objective?
Make room in garage to park
a car and work on hobbyHere is what we accomplished during only one, 4-hour session!!!
Jana, I would not hesitate a moment to refer your services to anyone. They would definitely be in safe hands, and feel just as I had, abundantly pleased with all your help.
I also want you to know that you have helped me in my personal relationship with my boyfriend. He got blessed with skills to be organized, so he has been a little frustrated with me. The timing of your coming along happened to be ‘bulls eye perfect.’
Karen S., Tierrasanta
Something money can not buy…
Everything looks wonderful! What you have done for me is a miracle, a dream come true, a vision empowered, a heart filled to brim, a mind standing still in puzzled amazement at what has occurred.
Getting to know you has been an unexpected bonus of “getting organized.” There may be quite a few people who can organize, but to find such a special person as you who I also have begun to think of as a friend – now that is something money can not buy – it is just the right person at the right time entering our lives during a great transition. You have been a key component in making a positive outcome not only possible but likely!
I really wish God had given me more energy – but then I wouldn’t have met you! So blessings come in strange ways sometimes… and I feel lucky. Thank you so much.
Judy Joy, Pacific Beach
I cannot believe how much was done!…
All three zones in the room are organized. I can now find things and a great load is off my mind. I cannot believe how much was done and am excited about you helping me to organize the shed soon. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
John Dorsey, Clairemont
Everything looks fantastic!…
Jana, everything looks fantastic on the shelves and under the kitchen island. We’re very happy with the outcome and will definitely consider you for some other projects I have in mind. P.S. Thanks for the project photos too. It’s amazing 🙂
Rebecca E., Rancho Penasquitos
She allowed the crazy and colorful to exist…
Thank you for referring Jana to me. I cannot even begin to list all of the amazing things that have happened to my desk, house, relationship and that confetti filled thing I call my brain! Jana crawled into my thoughts, saw that I wasn’t the type to enjoy sitting at a sterile ‘Office Depot’ desk with the phone in the upper right and no personal items sitting around. She didn’t want to turn me into the ordinary office girl… she let me do this thing my way (mostly), with an organized, beautiful, peaceful and creative ‘feel’ to all of it. She allowed the crazy and the colorful to exist and that is why she is the perfect person for my job. I love my new desk and surrounding areas! There are no longer big stacks of ‘who knows what?’ with a side of junk!
Laurie Schultz, La Jolla
And should we backslide…
Your advice on how to get organized has been extremely helpful. We’re still having some issues with devoting enough time, but overall, we’re pleased with the results. Thank you very much for your help and should we backslide (I hope we don’t!!!), we’ll of course contact you again. Many thanks!!
Mark and Caroline S.
I get a lot more done when working with you…
My husband was pleased with the work and impressed with the project pictures.Thank you so much for the cleaning suggestions and babysitter options!!! I definitely get a lot more done and within a quicker amount of time when you are here working with me.
Kristie Chiscano, Teacher
You have taken the two worst areas and done wonders…
All three zones in the room are organized. I can now find things and a great load is off my mind. I cannot believe how much was done and am excited about you helping me to organize the shed soon. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
John Dorsey, Clairemont
Freed up and energized!…
I cannot sing your praises enough. You have been such a mentor, teacher and wizard for my Mom. It’s amazing how freed up and energized she feels each time you finish a session with her.
Noreen Crawford, North Park
John Dorsey, Clairemont
An anti-clutter system that works…
I own a home-based business and have struggled for years with clutter in my office, interfering with productivity. Lost call-backs, leads, and customer orders were common-place. Stacks of unopened mail and unfinished projects continually overwhelmed me. I knew I needed help, but didn’t know where to start. Then to make matters more complicated, we adopted a baby girl, much to our joy, but now my need for an organized office space became critical! Jana Hartwell of Sensible Organizing Solutions was called to the rescue!
She moved my office completely out of the nursery, prioritized my files and categorized all action items with a to-do list, so I could finish the job on my own. This was all within a 9-hour period, a task I thought would take weeks!
Immediately recognizing the value of Jana’s services, I then hired her to work side-by-side with me to finish the job. She helped me label files, develop systems for call backs and pending orders as well as accounts receivable and tax information. She, best of all, developed an anti-clutter system that works for me! Something I had struggled with for years. I now have a place for everything, and can easily find things when I need them. My life has been made so simple! Jana, Thank You!
(With the help of SOS, Lorri also moved, planned a garage sale, and attended an SOS organizing workshop. Click here to read more of Lorri’s letter telling of these events.)
Lorri Baker, Poway
Making the best use of space…
Thanks so much for helping me organize my walk-in closet. Your advice was so helpful and now, thanks to your analysis and problem solving abilities, I have made the best use of the space.
Ellen Larsen, Carlsbad
How wonderful & smart it was to hire you…
Thank you for organizing our home! As you witnessed, having a newborn and moving into a new home all at the same time was a bit overwhelming for us. We could not have achieved the level of efficiency we now have without your assistance. I am reminded every day when I open drawers and cabinets everywhere of how wonderful and smart it was to hire you. Thank you again. It was a pleasure to work with you and your team of professionals.
Gina Poage, Rancho Santa Fe
Every room had a plan of action…
When I was seven months pregnant, my family and I moved into a two-story home and I had to do all the packing and unpacking while tending to my three year old daughter. I really needed help. Jana was committed to getting the job done in a timely manner and never became discouraged at the mountain of boxes. She was full of wonderful ideas and solutions.
Every room had a plan of action and each day, Jana communicated the steps needed for the following day. If we needed any containers, she would bring them the next day.
Jana also helped me sort through many boxes to determine what to sell, discard, or store. The items for sale were moved to the garage and arranged in an orderly fashion, making the garage sale set up simple.
Dolores Robertson, Midtown
Provided a custom closet design…
Jana arranged to have a closet consultant work with us to develop a custom design for my two daughters’ closets. Once the closets were installed, she organized their belongings into the shelves & racks and encouraged the girls to participate in the process. She also gave me referrals for odd jobs and repairs that needed to be done both inside and out, helping me to me develop a plan of action for each project.
I can’t say enough about the wonderful help. She is a great organizer and I am so pleased with the outcome!
Louise P., El Cajon
No more piles of receipts waiting to be filed…
I want to tell you how improved my work time and space are now that we’ve moved my operational files. I now file receipts as soon as I pay the bill because the file drawer is right where I sit and work. No more piles of receipts piled up waiting to be filed. It’s wonderful to see how a small idea can make such a big difference.
Pat Dunn, Clairemont
What an exhilarating feeling!…
Couch: gone! Levolors: gone! What an exhilarating feeling! And I love my new spacious, zen-like office. I am now imagining what paint color and how many Joni Mitchell portraits/paintings/photos I can jam on the walls 😉 Enjoy the day and thanks for all your help.
Lindsay Moon, Poway
Efficient – Conscientious – Creative…
I have hired other professional organizers in the past but they didn’t work out. I think they were overwhelmed by the task at hand. The beauty of Jana’s style is with her energy and creativity; she can conquer any challenge. She can work with you side-by-side or on her own – with seemingly boundless energy.
In addition to all these attributes, I can attest to Jana’s integrity and honesty. I trusted her to handle with discretion any confidential items she came across.
She is very intelligent, efficient, conscientious, creative, and tireless. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions regarding Jana and her many attributes.
Carol Josselyn, Los Altos Hills
…and those labels are terrific!
I can’t tell you how much I am enjoying my neat little counter – and those labels are terrific! I now feel like a woman rather than a messy little girl. I look forward to us doing the kitchen cabinet and the notorious computer room.
Rita.Packard, La Jolla
Non-Profit Associations
Another successful rummage sale!
Thank you for coordinating the church rummage sale and for the hard work you put into the effort. I was happy to see several people involved who had not previously volunteered.
April Herron, Pacific Beach United Methodist Church
Improving our lives dramatically!
Laura Withers, Ronald McDonald House Charities
Excerpt from the NAPO News regarding this project:
Eight members of the San Diego Chapter of NAPO demonstrated beyond question that “Together We Are Better” by participating in a “hands-on” organizing day at the Ronald McDonald House. At a time in our country when reaching out has intensified meaning, the San Diego organizers were able to make a positive difference for those who are coping with one of life’s most challenging experiences – terminal illness.
Jana Hartwell, president of the chapter, witnessed the hard-working staff’s morale-boost from being “cared for,” and saw how that emotional pebble caused the sweetest of ripple effects. It was a powerful reminder that it is through giving that we receive.
The impressive number of tasks -organizing the reception station, kitchen, laundry rooms, storage area and attic -speaks well of the individual and joint abilities to bring efficient and attractive order to the job at hand – and have fun while doing so!
Suddenly there was space where there was none before!
I am writing to express my gratitude to Jana for her creativity, hard work and assistance to our office. Recently, our nonprofit agency added two new staff members. We were a bit confused about how to fit these new employees into our cramped space. It seemed every corner was taken and walking through the office was a bit like navigating through an obstacle course.
Then Jana entered the picture. Immediately she had a vision and made it a reality. Suddenly there was space where there was none before! In a few hours we were finished and everything was in its place. We were able to move from one area to another with ease and we had so much more room! We were definitely pleased with the outcome.
I highly recommend SOS to anyone who is looking to add space and order to their working or living environment. We are thankful for her help.
Katie Edwards, Executive Director of Partners Mentorship Program
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