We want to welcome Kathryn Gute of Northwest Chicago, Illinois to the NEAT team. We are thrilled to have her. Let’s find out more about what makes her so NEAT.
NM :: Why do you want to run NEAT in your city?
KG :: NEAT is made up of kindhearted, hardworking, and honest people with a love of calm and order and an innate knack for all things beautifully organized and that encompasses so much of who I am and what I want to bring to the community here as we make our new home in the northwest Chicago area.
NM :: What did you do before NEAT?
KG :: It depends on how far back you want to go. I finished up graduate school with my sights set on being a School Psychologist and did just that for 12 years before “retiring” to stay at home mom (sometimes confused with personal chef, master of the laundry, uber driver, sideline cheerleader, and professional volunteer). When I dipped my toes back in the professional world, I worked with Girls on the Run as a race director and, ultimately, program director but when the world shut down in 2020, our program had to pause and that gave me time to dabble in the world of professional organizing...and then I found NEAT.
NM :: What makes your city unique?
KG :: Prior to moving here, I had only been to Chicago a handful of times and I loved it every time. Full disclosure...I had only ever been here in the summer, so I may not love it in February so please remind me that I love it here, ok? Growing up in Cleveland, it was so great to have the lake nearby and I am glad to be back near the lake (different lake...but you get the idea). And, now that we are settling in here in the Northwest Suburbs area, we are discovering so many lakes and trails and parks and I am here for all of that! Looking forward to fall to explore the beautiful trails that run through Lake and Cook counties.
NM :: How long have you lived in your city?
KG :: I have only been in the Chicagoland area for just a few months. Our family relocated here this summer from the Philadelphia area, but my husband and I are both born and raised mid-westerners from Cleveland...so now we’re just re-settling into those midwest roots.
NM :: What do you think is going to be your favorite part of running NEAT in your city?
KG :: I am looking forward to meeting my future clients, building relationships and removing the unnecessary stress that comes with that “I need to get this {room/space} organized” goal so many people have for themselves - doing what I love - while giving them back the freedom of time and headspace to focus on doing whatever it is that they love to do.
NM :: What can people expect when they hire you to organize their home?
KG :: They can expect compassion, creativity and efficiency while providing them with organizing solutions that are as simple and sustainable as they are beautiful based on their needs on a day to day basis for that space.
NM :: What is your favorite organizing product?
KG :: I’d have to pick the TURNTABLE -- formerly known as “the Lazy Susan” -- because it is a GAME CHANGER for just about any space with the unique skill to double as decorative and functional.
NM :: Do you have any hidden talents we should know about?
KG :: While this may not necessarily be a hidden talent, I do love to bake - especially cupcakes and Christmas cookies. But what I enjoy most about doing that is sharing them with friends! Surefire way to put a smile on someone’s face!
Well, we know whose house we're coming to at Christmas! Congratulations on launching Northwest Chicago. We’re so excited to have you join NEAT!
xx
The NEAT Team
