New England… get ready to get organized! Introducing our newest NEAT girl – Mia Whalley from New Hampshire. We're thrilled that she's a part of the NEAT family now and we can't wait to see her beautiful work in clients' homes across the Granite State!
We wanted you to get to know Mia as much as we have, so we sat down for a quick chat. Read her interview to see why she'll make a great addition to the team!
NM :: Mia, congrats on your launch! Tell us, why did you want to run NEAT in your city?
MW :: The "work hard, play hard" lifestyle of New Hampshire's Seacoast and Lakes Region leaves little time for household organization. When you spend most of your free time outside enjoying all that our beautiful state has to offer, it's easy for clutter to pile up at home. I feel that bringing NEAT to this area will help bridge the gap for families to spend more time on the things that drew them to New Hampshire in the first place. For me, having an organized space allows me to be out on the lake, hiking in the mountains, or entertaining friends and family without the stress of clutter.
NM :: You're making us want to come visit! What makes your area unique?
MW :: Living in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire, we're surrounded by beautiful mountains that provide year round entertainment and adventure. Where else can you alpine ski in the morning and take a boat ride in the afternoon? When craving the ocean air, New Hampshire's coast is only a 45 minute drive from the lakes and mountains, and for a night out in the city, Boston, MA is only an hour drive! New Hampshire is a vacation destination for many during all four seasons. There are over 90 State Parks, 19 ski areas, numerous lakes and really – who doesn't love tax-free shopping?
NM :: Speaking of shopping… what are your favorite places to shop in your area?
MW :: If you ask anyone, tax free outlet shopping is an everyday perk to living in New Hampshire, but it’s the small town, locally owned shops that are my favorite. Gus & Ruby's in Downtown Portsmouth is a boutique store with eye candy galore. I love meeting friends for coffee or setting up my computer for a day of work at Wayfarer in Laconia, NH. My family and I spend as much time on the lake as possible, but what’s unique about Lake Winnipesaukee is that we have access to 8 towns by boat! We love docking in Wolfeboro to take a walk on the rail trail and stopping for ice cream at Bailey's Bubble is a MUST!
NM :: What about your favorite places to eat?
MW :: Seriously, how long do we have? We are so fortunate to have many locally owned businesses in our area. Especially with the rise in farm-to-table dining, you will NOT go hungry visiting anywhere in the Seacoast or Lakes Region. My family and I have a Sunday tradition in the summer getting breakfast by boat at Ames Farm and haven’t missed a summer weekend breakfast there in 5 years. My husband and I also love cruising into Meredith for dinner and a sunset at Lago or Church Landing. When dining in Portsmouth, it’s a seafood lover's paradise. Indulging at the SURF raw bar, enjoying fresh fish on the patio at Martingale Wharf, or a visit to Old Ferry Landing for a lobster roll and their famous Jimmy Juice! The options are endless 🙂
NM :: Sounds like you've got a little bit of everything! So, tell us what you did before NEAT.
MW :: For the past 12 years I've worked in a busy Orthopaedic Sports Medicine practice. It was after having my daughter and returning to work that I realized something wasn't quite right. I enjoyed my job, but it was not fulfilling me like it had in the past. If I am going to be away from my family 10+ hours a day, I need to have a passion for what I am doing. When my life is in order that is when I am most content. I hope to share my passion for organization, systems and structure that have carried me through my career so far.
NM :: Sounds like a great fit! What do you think is going to be your favorite part of running NEAT in your city?
MW :: I love meeting new people and sharing my passion for simple efficient living. I wnat my clients to all be out enjoying the reasons they live/visit here. Working and collaborating with clients to make this a reality will not only bring more joy to their lives, but to mine as well. And for those new home buyers just moving here, I want to make them feel like a local so the transition of setting up their new space is effortless.
NM :: Since you're an organizer, we'd love to know – what is your most organized space?
MW :: My husband and I recently sold our home and while we are in the process of building, we are living in a much smaller space. Because it's temporary, we haven't put a lot of focus on organizing, but I will say being in tight quarters has forced us to keep things tidy! My daughter's play area was one of the first things I made a system for. We all know how those tiny little beads and legos can start to creep all over the room. With a collection of bins and containers, we are able to keep things from spreading throughout our living space.
NM :: Looks like your daughter will have so much fun in that space! Do you have a space that's a bit less organized?
MW :: The least organized space right now is, for sure, the area right next to our entryway. When you first walk in, there is no real "closet" for coats, shoes, bags, etc., so things have gotten a little out of hand. With the winter approaching, this will certainly be on my "to do" list for organizing. Thankfully, our new home was designed with an extra large mudroom with enough space for all four seasons!
NM :: Besides organizing do you have any hidden talents that we should know about?
MW :: If I do, they're still hidden! I'm pretty much an open book. Something most people might not know about me, but I would not put it in the category of "talent" – I love singing loud to Bruno Mars songs in the car and typically I have a solo dance party at least once a week at home or in my office.
NM :: What can people expect when they hire you to organize their home? (Besides impromptu dance parties) 😉
MW :: Although our goal is to turn our clients homes into functional and smartly appointed living spaces, I am also very interested in the stories behind the spaces. I'm an expert listener and love clear and professional communication with clients. I will take their story and vision about their spaces, and reach their goals with a respect for time and investment.
NM :: As a new business owner, do you have a business you admire?
MW :: There is no way to pick just one! I have a newly found admiration for anyone who is a successful entrepreneur. They must have an unyielding strong work ethic, drive, creativity, and networking skills to develop and grow ideas into a productive lifestyle and career. They have curiosity and a thirst for acquiring knowledge to improve their craft and the world around them. I am so excited to join NEAT and take my passions and values and turn them into a career that so many in my community will benefit from.
NM :: We couldn't agree more. We're so excited you're a NEAT girl now. Welcome!
New England, you're about to get NEAT. Mia is ready to tackle every junk drawer, closet and mudroom in the Granite State!
xx,
the NEAT girls
