What to expect & How to prepare for your first session.

Welcome — we’re so glad you are here!

We’re so excited to work with you! A little preparation ahead of time allows us to make the most of our time together and ensures your organizing sessions run smoothly and efficiently.

Please take a few moments to carefully review this client-only welcome page so we can hit the ground running at your first session.

You should have already received an email introducing your Lead Organizer, along with their contact information. You’ll also be receiving a space-specific questionnaire via email shortly—this helps us tailor our approach to your home, your needs, and your lifestyle.

We can’t wait to get started!

Meet the Team

  • Nettie Haines

    Owner + CEO

    Before founding The Grit Method, I worked as a campaign manager for a congresswoman representing the largest district in the country, including 12 Tribal Nations — so navigating complex situations with care, discretion, and strategy is second nature to me.

    Alongside raising my 2 crazy kiddos, I was also a caregiver to both of my late parents, which deeply shaped how I support clients through life’s most overwhelming transitions.

  • Lauren Carder

    LEAD ORGANIZER

    With a background in woodworking, Lauren enjoys finding practical, creative solutions that truly fit each home. She joined TGM after closing her woodworking business where she handmade everything from shelves to stocking holders to custom farmhouse tables.

    Like many of our clients, Lauren has ADHD and sees it as her superpower. Her goal is always to simplify, reduce stress, and help your space work for you.

  • Ty Whitaker

    LEAD ORGANIZER

    Ty loves creating systems that are both beautiful and functional — especially in pantries, which she finds both the most challenging and rewarding to organize.

    If you hear someone singing “Run the World (Girls),” it’s probably Ty! It’s her unofficial Grit Method theme song!

  • Shelly Bowling

    ASSISTANT LEAD ORGANIZER

    With a lifelong passion for order, systems, and helping others thrive, Shelly brings the heart of a teacher with 15 years of experience to the world of professional organizing.

    Whether it’s streamlining a cluttered kitchen, creating a functional home office, or building daily routines that stick, she is dedicated to making life easier, one system at a time.

  • Stephanie Raftery

    RELOCATION COORDINATOR

    From color-coded subject folders in school to perfecting movements as a synchronized swimmer and coach, Stephanie has always had an eye for detail. Stephanie brings that same passion (and a label maker) to every project. When not sorting shelves or creating functional flow, you’ll find Stephanie cheering on her alma mater The Ohio State Buckeyes on game day! 

  • Aliana Wilson

    ORGANIZER

    Ali is an Olympic athlete, professional dancer, and mom who believes organization should make life easier and more fun. She loves creating simple, functional systems that help families spend less time managing stuff and more time enjoying each other.

    As a mom of boys, Ali knows life gets messy — and that’s okay! Her goal is to create easy-to-follow systems (even for kids!) that make the everyday chaos feel much more manageable. She’s been a natural organizer since childhood and loves helping people find what truly works for them.

  • Jamie Evans

    ORGANIZER

    Jamie is a retired OB/GYN Nurse with 40 years of experience at Wexner Medical Center and is a proud graduate of Ohio State University—GO BUCKS!

    Jamie is our go to organizer for bathrooms & medications (organized by ailment of course). In her free time, she enjoys gardening and spending quality time with her grandchildren. 

  • Dina Legge

    ORGANIZER

    Dina is a mom of 4 who enjoys spending time with her family. Her favorite spaces to organize are kitchens and playrooms — two of the most high-traffic, high-chaos areas of the home, but also the ones with the biggest potential for transformation & memories created in the home.

    Outside of work, you’ll usually find her cheering on her kids at sporting events. On a rare free day, she loves going to church with her family, grilling out, and enjoying a movie night together.

  • Stacy Nordahl

    ORGANIZER

    Stacy is the proud & exhausted mother to two sets of twins.  Her human twins, Harper & Logan and their furry sisters, Sadie & Shelby (French Bulldogs)!

    With a background in commercial real estate, Stacy brings flexibility, humor, and a can-do attitude to every organizing challenge. She loves helping clients create calm, functional spaces, especially bars and entertaining areas, as well as closets and pantries.

    When she’s not organizing, you’ll find her dominating on the pickleball court.

  • You may also see…

    Depending on the scope and timing of your project, you may occasionally see additional organizers working alongside your assigned Grit Method team. These may include seasonal organizers (such as teachers working during school breaks) or organizers in training who are gaining hands-on experience under the direct supervision of our Lead Organizers.

    Please know that any organizer in training is not billed to you. Their presence allows us to maintain the high level of care, efficiency, and attention to detail you expect—while continuing to thoughtfully grow and train our team.

    Every person in your home aligns with The Grit Method’s values of professionalism, discretion, and zero judgment.

Preparing for your first Organizing session

Pets

We love our furry friends and want them to stay safe. Since our team will be coming in and out throughout the session, we kindly ask that pets be secured in a safe area of your home—especially if they’re quick to slip outside.

Laundry

If we’re organizing clothing, please have all items washed and dried prior to your session. No need to fold or hang anything—we’ve got that covered.

Dishes & Groceries

If your kitchen is part of the project, please have dishes clean and ready to be organized when we arrive.

If we’re organizing your pantry, doing a grocery run a day or two before your session is a great idea. This helps us plan space accurately—and yes, we’re happy to put your groceries away for you!

Kiddos!

If you’d like to be actively involved in your organizing session and feel that your children may be a distraction, we recommend arranging childcare. That said, children are always welcome to be present if that works best for your family.

Your Questions, Answered

  • We are typically in your home from 9AM-3PM. Your lead organizer will contact you if there are changes to the schedule.

  • When a client books an appointment with us, that time is reserved exclusively for that client and becomes unavailable for anyone else to use. If, for some reason -- other than a true emergency -- you need to cancel appointments, please give us as much advance notice so that others may take advantage of the available time.

    If you need to reschedule your session within 1 week of your session date, there is a $100 rescheduling fee to cover the administrative tasks of rescheduling.

    There is no fee for needing to reschedule a session if you are sick and need to reschedule for the safety of our team.

    We follow the Ohio County Snow Emergency Levels Advisory System. Unsafe weather conditions will result in rescheduling, arriving late, or leaving early.

  • Whatever you would like it to be! If you can’t be there, we will discuss some ground rules, set by you, ahead of your session. For example, do you want to keep bills that are dated over 1 year ago?  Filling out the questionnaire we send via email is important if you cannot be there.

  • The great thing about working with The Grit Method is we have developed a HUGE network of charities & individuals who take very specific items! We pride ourselves on avoiding landfills at all costs. If you have a specific place you would like your donations to go, please discuss that with your lead organizer.

  • We bring a small selection of our tried-and-true organizing essentials to your first session. Because every home and space is unique, your Lead Organizer will create a custom product and design plan within one week of your initial session.

    Once you give the green light, we take it from there—placing the order, managing all shopping and quality control, and scheduling a seamless in-home product installation.

  • That’s completely normal—and exactly why we’re here. Our role is to guide, support, and make the process feel manageable and judgment-free. Anytime you need a break, just let us know!

  • If you’re actively involved in your organizing session, please let your Lead Organizer know if you’ll need a break or if there’s a specific time you need to step away. We’re happy to plan the day around your schedule whenever possible.

    Our organizing team also builds in a one-hour break, which is taken as needed based on the scope and flow of the project.

What you will see

  • Us on our phones

    During your session, you may notice our team using our phones. While it may look like we’re texting, this is actually how we stay organized and efficient behind the scenes.

    Our phones are essential work tools—we use them to: Reference to-do lists, print labels, communicate with the team, and reference plans, measurements, and product details.

    Rest assured, our focus is always on your home and your project. Phone use is strictly work-related and allows us to move quickly, stay aligned as a team, and deliver a smooth, well-coordinated organizing experience.

  • The Messy Middle

    You may notice things look more chaotic before they look better—this is a normal and necessary part of the organizing process we call “the messy middle.” Rest assured, we always leave your space in a better, more functional place by the end of your session.

  • Loading up donations

    You may see our team loading donation items into our vehicles during or at the end of your session. All donations are removed only after they have been clearly approved by you. This ensures you remain fully in control of what leaves your home.

    When donation haul-away is included in your project, we handle the removal promptly so approved items don’t linger and your space can immediately feel lighter and more functional.

  • Breaks

    Our team builds in breaks throughout the day depending on the scope and physical nature of the project. This helps us stay energized, focused, and effective while working in your home.

  • Lots of Laughter

    You’ll likely hear plenty of laughter while we’re working. While we take our work seriously, we also believe that joy, connection, and ease belong in the organizing process.

    One of our favorite compliments came from an older couple who shared that having our team in their home reminded them of when their daughter was a young girl and would have friends over and fill the house with giggles. We consider that a true honor.

    Our goal is to create calm, functional spaces without ever making your home feel tense or uncomfortable. Organization can be productive and fun—and we believe the best transformations happen when both are present.