Interview by Emily Hessney Lynch.

Published April 3, 2020.

Where are you from? How did you end up in Rochester?

I’m from Geneva originally; I attended SUNY Fredonia, then FLCC for a year, and finally graduated from St. John Fisher College. I jumped right into the workforce from there, where I worked as a real estate assistant. I was living in Geneva with my dad and my boyfriend was living in Buffalo, so we decided to meet halfway and move to Rochester together. 

What are some hidden gems you've discovered around Rochester?

It may not be a hidden gem exactly, but I always go back to the Cobb’s Hill Reservoir. It’s a good go-alone spot. My dad lived in Henrietta after my parents divorced, and my dad took us to the reservoir. That was one of my first memories of Rochester. It feels like you’re away from things, you’re kind of removed, you can see the city. It’s cool!

What are some of your favorite local nonprofits to support?

I’m a part of the Rochester Women’s Network. I joined it after starting my business; it was the first thing that came up on Google when I searched for women’s networking groups. It’s a member-driven organization, where we’re all putting something in to grow it. It’s inclusive; we allow guys in the group as long as they support our mission of empowering women personally and professionally. The group has helped me gain confidence and feel like I’m part of something.

If you had $100 and two hours to kill, how would you spend the money/time?

I love Black and Blue. My boyfriend Jordan and I consider it our special occasion place. I book a reservation 6 months in advance, so I know I’ll enjoy it. We tend to fall back on burger places and Wegmans normally, so B&B is special. The food, the atmosphere, the service--it’s all awesome. I could spend 2 hours there eating just an appetizer or a piece of cake. I wish I could have every meal there!

What's your favorite food to eat in Rochester other than a garbage plate? 

Caesar salads are my favorite thing, I’ve had them at probably every restaurant in Rochester. TRATA has a really good one.

What is your personal coping mechanism for cold/gray weather? 

I try to do things that you can’t do in the summer, like skiing, sledding, and skating. Things that get you out of the house! Going to the movies, that kind of thing.

What's your favorite Rochester memory? 

Probably my first Rochester memory- I went to the Genesee Brew House with my boyfriend Jordan, his college friend, and his girlfriend. It was about five days after we moved to Rochester and I wasn’t sure what living here was going to be like. It felt like a vacation to me, being on the rooftop and seeing the falls. That’s my first memory of happiness here- I felt like “Okay, I wanted to stay here forever. There’s a lot here for me.”

What makes Rochester unique? 

The fact that you can do anything and get anywhere in half an hour. I’m not opposed to go to Henrietta or the city or Hilton or Brockport. There’s no huge hurdle to get somewhere and do something. Everything is within an arm’s length.

What would you like to see change in Rochester over the next year? 

That feeling of separation where people on the east side are doing their east side things and don’t want to go somewhere because it’s out of their comfort zone. City people do the same thing. People want to stay with what they’re comfortable with. I’m guilty of it too and am trying to get better about it.

Tell me about your business, Life Made Simple Organizing. What inspired you to start a business in Rochester? 

I help busy parents and professionals declutter and organize so they can be more present and productive at home. It’s like hitting the reset button for people and allowing them to live a more simple and joyful life. They might feel too confused or busy to create that on their own. I can help them take the area where they live, control it a little better, and bring them to a simpler level that works for them and not against them.

I was comfortable with the market here; I can relate to people and the lifestyle they live here, it’s not LA. Having a community with a tight-knit feel has helped me network, find clients, and feel comfortable running a business. It’s nice that I don’t have to get on a train or deal with an hour’s worth of traffic.

What's one home organizing tip you think everyone in Rochester could use?

My #1 tip is don’t put it down, put it back. That’s how you maintain the organization that you do with me or by yourself. I always tell people that, it’s a mindset thing. Rather than just setting your laptop down on the couch, put it back where it belongs. Don’t re-clutter the spot you’ve worked so hard to tidy up. 

What advice would you give to up and coming entrepreneurs in Rochester? 

Find the opportunities, places, and people that give you confidence. That was the number one thing that held me back at first- I was afraid of what people would think of me, what I was striving for, and what I was saying. You feel the judgment and worry that somebody might knock you down a peg. Find those places that make you feel confident rather than tear you down.