Fifteen years ago, we had a simple but revolutionary idea: what if getting organized didn't require sacrificing your entire weekend? What if professional organizers could transform your space while you lived your life?
Today, we're North America's largest home organizing company, with franchise owners coast to coast and a client list that spans from busy families to A-list celebrities. But our mission remains the same—creating clarity for life, one space at a time.
We sat down with co-founders Ashley Murphy and Marissa Hagmeyer to talk about building an empire, weathering industry changes, and what the next 15 years hold for organized living.
What made you think the world needed NEAT Method back in 2010?
Ashley: In 2010, we recognized the need—especially considering dual-career households—that families were drowning in the chaos of trying to maintain organized homes while juggling packed schedules. Existing organizing services required clients to be present, to make decisions on every item, and to invest their precious time in the process. We realized there was a fundamental gap in the market: what if families could continue living their lives while professionals handled the transformation?
That's when we knew the world needed NEAT Method. We created something that didn't exist—an army of trained organizers who could completely transform a space while our clients were at work, running errands, or simply enjoying time with their families. Instead of sacrificing weekends or vacation days to get organized, busy parents could leave in the morning with a cluttered space and come home to a fully functional, beautifully organized environment. We weren't just offering organizing services; we were giving people their time back.
How has organizing changed in the last 15 years?
Ashley: The organizing industry has been completely transformed over the past 15 years. When we started, we constantly had to explain what we did—people would ask if we were a cleaning service or wonder why anyone would hire someone to organize their belongings.
Today, 'professional organizer' is not only a recognized term, but it's become aspirational. The pandemic accelerated this shift—suddenly everyone was stuck at home, acutely aware of their spaces, and willing to invest in making them work better. The industry went from having to justify its existence to being unable to keep up with demand.
Marissa: Organizing has become much more of a design extension of your home aesthetic. We like to think we have had a little something to do with that. When we started, organization was purely functional—it was about hiding everything away in closets and cabinets. Now it's about creating systems that are beautiful enough to be part of your decor.
What do people still get wrong about organization?
Ashley: That living an organized life is only for certain people! We've discovered that almost everyone can maintain organization—it's not about personality, it's about having the right systems. Good organization should make your life easier, not require you to change who you are.
Marissa: That it's embarrassing to not be organized. I often have friends who say "uh don't look in that cabinet" almost ashamed, and the reality is organization takes time and everyone has nooks and crannies they aren't proud of. Our services are only in high demand because it is truly a labor of love that often we just don't have time for in our chaotic lives.
What's your most memorable client transformation?
Ashley: There have been so many, but one I'll never forget was organizing a bedroom for a young girl battling cancer. When she saw her transformed space—the pure joy and wonder on her face—it reminded me that we're not just organizing belongings, we're creating spaces where life and healing can happen.
What organizing trend needs to be retired?
Ashley: Dare I say... EVERYTHING looking like the rainbow?
Marissa: All the clear plastic!!
What surprised you most about growing this business?
Ashley: That we were actually capable of scaling this big! We started with pure passion for organized living and no business experience. What blew us away was realizing we hadn't just built a company, but started a movement—other organizers adopted our methods, clients became true believers, and we transformed how the industry operates.
Marissa: How many loyal employees and franchise owners would stick around for the long haul and be here with us still to help celebrate the many milestones. We have franchise owners who've been with us for over a decade, team members who've grown from organizers to leaders, and this incredible community that genuinely cares about each other's success.
What has been the hardest part about franchising NEAT?
Ashley: Growing while maintaining how the brand felt when we were small. The challenge isn't just teaching our organizing methods—it's ensuring every franchisee delivers that same personal touch and genuine care that made clients fall in love with NEAT. You can train processes, but preserving that feeling is much harder.
What's been the most challenging part of the last 15 years?
Ashley: Weathering all the storms of change. We've had so many variations of NEAT and each transition forced us to reinvent ourselves while keeping our core mission intact!
Marissa: Watching a lot of our tried and true methods and products be copied has been challenging but also validating. It confirms we are onto something special, but it also means constantly staying ahead of the curve. We've had to learn that innovation isn't a one-time thing, it's an ongoing commitment to being better than the versions of ourselves that others are trying to replicate.
What’s next for NEAT Method after 15 years?
Ashley: What started as a dream to help people get organized has become something so much bigger—it’s about supporting families through every season of life. Now we're looking at ways to be even more present in those transitions. Whether it's developing products that anticipate needs we haven't even thought of yet, or creating services that support families through life changes we're just beginning to understand. We want to be there for the moments that matter most, making space for what's coming next.
Marissa: I see us continuing to push the boundaries of what organized living can look like. We're working on innovations that will make our systems even more intuitive, more adaptable to how people actually live. And honestly, I'm excited about the next generation of franchise owners who are going to take this brand places we never imagined. They're bringing fresh perspectives while staying true to what makes NEAT special. The future is about scaling that personal touch we've always been known for.
The last fifteen years have taught us that good systems evolve, great teams endure, and the best ideas keep finding new ways to grow. We're building on what works, improving what doesn't, and staying focused on what we've always done best, creating clarity for the lives our clients actually live.
The next chapter starts now.
xx,
The NEAT Team
