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8 is the number of new beginnings!
“Who dares despise the day of small things…” Zechariah 4:10
Every journey begins with small beginnings, and my journey was no different! While my journey “officially” started in December 2016, the truth is, it began long before that. One of the questions I’m often asked is, “How did you get started?” Well, here’s the exclusive!
From a young age, I’ve always been naturally organized. I never had to be told to clean my room because it was always tidy. I loved puzzles and matching games—essentially a preview of what I now do as a Professional Organizer 😉. Even as a child, I would find ways to organize things at home. One of my favorite projects was our family’s collection of CDs and DVDs. We had an extensive collection with bookshelves full of them, and I made it my mission to keep them in perfect alphabetical order, watching like a hawk 👀 to ensure they stayed that way.
My passion for organizing grew as I got older, even though I didn’t fully understand it yet. While visiting family members and friends, I’d instinctively ask, “Can I straighten up your pantry, kitchen, or closet?” I wasn’t trained in organizing—I simply saw a problem and felt compelled to make it better. And the best part? It was effortless, natural, and fun for me.
In 2008, while still living in my hometown of St. Louis, MO, my sister called with a request: she needed help packing for a cross-country move to Mooresville, NC, where we all now live. She saw something in me that I hadn’t recognized yet. As I helped her pack, she casually remarked, “You should do this for a living!” I laughed it off, replying, “No one would pay me to do this—it’s way too fun!” My small thinking limited me back then.
Fast forward to December 2016—a year filled with many challenges. I’d been fired from a job I didn’t want 😉 because I was caught up in some silly office drama. If you know me, you know I don’t do drama, it just doesn’t align with my character or purpose. My life had always revolved around uplifting others, whether as a dance instructor, cheerleading and softball coach, youth leader at my church, or the “safe house” for teens in my family where we had tons of food and fun.
The job loss could’ve been blamed on bad circumstances or the devil, but I credit God for redirecting me. He had better plans for me. On a warm December afternoon, I was organizing my sister’s office in Mooresville when I heard God’s voice clearly in my heart: “IT’S TIME.” Those words moved me to tears. They ignited a fire within me that I couldn’t ignore. That evening, I dove into researching and discovered something mind-blowing 🤯: PEOPLE WERE GETTING PAID WELL TO DO WHAT I’D BEEN DOING FOR YEARS — FOR FREE!
Equal parts excitement, uncertainty, and fear, I boldly decided to stop job-hunting and start my Professional Organizing business. I had no clue where to begin, but I knew I’d heard from God, and that was all the confirmation I needed.
Now every December, I choose a word to guide me through the upcoming year, and at the start of December 2016, I had chosen the word COURAGE — not knowing then how perfectly it would align with this life-changing leap of faith that was soon to come.
As I began planning, I didn’t do it alone. My two amazing boyz joined me in brainstorming names for the business. Since COURAGE was central to the journey ahead, I wanted the name of my business to reflect that. After talking it over with my boyz, I suggested “Audacity,” as a bold synonym for courage. It didn’t seem fitting to just name the business “Audacity” so we continued to brainstorm for an adjective to go along with it. One of my boyz yelled out “Extreme,” with so much excitement 🥳 and I absolutely loved it. So there you have it, we combined the two and to make it stand out even more, I dropped the “E,” and Xtreme Audacity was born—a name that perfectly embodies the boldness and uniqueness of my vision and what it takes for many of my clients to reach out for help.
So here we are celebrating 8 years “The Year of New Beginnings” and I want to share a few pivotal moments in the life of Xtreme Audacity LLC.
January 2017: The Launch
In January 2017, Xtreme Audacity Organized Solutions was officially launched. It was a thrilling and nerve-wracking milestone. I had taken the leap, but the real work was just beginning.
February 2017: The First Client
In February, I secured my very first client. That moment was unforgettable; it was confirmation, this dream could become a reality. Yes, it was a small win, but to watch this sudden dream become a reality was nothing short of amazing!
Summer of 2017: A Community of ProOrganizers
That summer, I became a member of the National Association of Black Professional Organizers (NABPO.org add link). Joining this community of like-minded professionals provided me with invaluable resources and connections. And what’s even crazier, is that I now have the privilege of being the President of this amazing organization.
2018: One Year In
By January 2018, I had completed my first full year in business. I was proud of what I had accomplished but was still afraid. I knew I had made the right decision, but business was slow and I had so many questions about how to scale my business.
2019: Stepping Into Leadership
In 2019, I took on a leadership role within NABPO as the Professional Learning Director. It was an honor to serve and contribute to an organization that had supported me during my journey.
2020: Resilience in the Face of a Pandemic
Initially, when the pandemic hit in 2020, my business came to a standstill, like so many others around the world. It was a challenging time, but by August, things shifted dramatically. Suddenly, I had 2-3 clients every week.
That year, I was also a guest on my very first podcast and even organized my first restaurant.
2021: Momentum Builds
The momentum from 2020 carried over into 2021. That year, I organized 29 families and businesses. It was a year of growth and learning, showing me just how impactful XA could be.
2022: Rebranding and Restructuring
In 2022, I rebranded and restructured my business. It was time to refine my processes and create new, innovative ways to meet my clients’ every need. This year marked a true turning point in how I approached my business.
2023: Confidence Restored
By 2023, I regained my confidence as both a woman and a business owner. I joined a business mentorship program that provided me with clarity on how to scale my business effectively. It was a transformative experience that reignited my passion and focus.
2024: Clarity and Vision
I attended an amazing retreat that helped me reconnect with my “why.” During the retreat, my AMAZING business coach helped me to gain a clear vision of my ideal client, which is how I realized that I had been looking in all the wrong places. She also opened my eyes to some other areas of my life that weren't serving my vision so that I could truly make space for what truly mattered.
2025: The Future is Bright
Looking ahead, 2025 is a year we are poised to be incredible. With all of the knowledge I have gained over the past 7 years, I will be helping clients in incredible ways. My team and I have exciting plans in store for our past, present, and future clients. This journey has been one of faith, courage, and relentless determination. As I reflect on the past eight years, I am filled with gratitude for every lesson, every victory, and every step that has brought Xtreme Audacity to where it is today.
Here are some organized solutions to help you start your year off right!
(This post contains affiliate links to Amazon from which I make a small commission with no extra costs added to you.)
Cheers to the next chapter! Until Next Time,
TakillaRene
Xtreme Audacity
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