What to expect & How to prepare for your Relocation.

Welcome — we’re so glad you are here!

We’re so excited to support you through your upcoming move. A little preparation ahead of time allows us to make the entire process feel smooth, organized, and fully supported from start to finish.

Please take a few moments to review this client-only relocation guide so we can hit the ground running and ensure every detail is thoughtfully planned before your move begins.

You should have already received an email introducing your Lead Organizer, who will be your main point of contact throughout your move. You’ll also be receiving a relocation questionnaire shortly—this helps us understand your timeline, priorities, and preferences so we can tailor every step of the process to you.

We can’t wait to get started and help make your move feel seamless.

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.

  • Kate Murphy

    INVENTORY ORGANIZER

    Kate joined the team with a background in Interior Design and Art Consulting to help transform spaces into something beautiful as well as functional. 

    Her favorite spaces to organize are spaces that gets extra messy and needs above-and-beyond attention. She loves the challenge of realizing the perfect flow for each unique client, and gets way too excited when a product fits perfectly into a space. ;)

  • 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.

  • Taylor Shaw

    ORGANIZER

    Taylor has been married to her husband (also named Taylor!) for nearly 10 years and has a deep love for all things vintage — she even runs a small vintage home décor business on the side.

    She joined The Grit Method because she genuinely loves helping people. On an ideal weekend, she’s sleeping in, grabbing brunch, thrifting through antique shops, and ending the day on the couch with a good movie.

  • 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.

Survival Checklist

Prior to your packing days, please pack yourself a suitcase of what you need to survive to get you through the move! I bag per family member and please don’t forget the pet supplies! Whatever is not packed up will be boxed up and you will be without those items until unpacked. These bags will NOT go on the moving truck.

CLOSET

  • A couple days of clothes

  • Sleepwear

  • Undergarments & socks

  • Weather-appropriate outerwear (jacket, hoodie, raincoat, etc.)

  • Shoes

BATHROOM

  • Medications

  • Glasses or contacts (and case/solution)

  • Toothbrush + toothpaste

  • Haircare

  • Body wash or soap

  • Deodorant

  • Makeup or skincare items

  • Feminine hygiene products

IMPORTANT ITEMS

  • Chargers

  • Items needed for work

  • Important documents (birth certificates, passports, deeds, insurance docs, etc.)

  • Pet supplies (and medications)

  • Wallet & Keys (old and new home)

unpack 1st boxes

Before we start packing, we will walk around with you and identify items that you need to be unpacked first in your new house. These items will be coming off the truck first (or in some cases moved by our organizers) and set up for your first night in your new home.

We will have a box already packed up with the following items so please do not worry about the following:

  • Toilet Paper

  • Paper Towels

  • Hand Soap

  • Dish soap

  • Trash bags

Bedding

  • Please identify what bedding you need for your first night there.

  • Sound Machines, monitors, etc.

  • Please identify for each member of the family who will be staying their first night there!

Kitchen

  • What items do you need for your first morning at your new home?

  • Coffee maker, coffee

  • Supplements & vitamins

  • Do you plan on cooking?

  • We will have paper products for you.

Office

  • Do you need anything set up immediately for work?

Your Questions, Answered

  • Our services can include move planning, decluttering, packing, labeling, coordinating movers and vendors, overseeing move day, unpacking, organizing, and styling your new home. Every project is customized based on your needs.

  • Yes. We handle strategic packing before your move and intentional unpacking afterward so your home is not just unpacked, but fully organized and ready to live in.

  • Very little. We’ll guide you through any preparation needed. The most helpful step is completing your questionnaire so we can understand your preferences and priorities ahead of time.

  • That’s completely up to you. Some clients prefer to be involved, while others choose a more hands-off, concierge experience. We tailor our approach to your comfort level.

  • Absolutely. We strongly recommend decluttering before packing so you’re only bringing what you truly use and love into your new home.

  • Yes. We oversee the process, coordinate with movers, direct placement of boxes, and ensure everything runs smoothly.

  • Yes. We prioritize essential areas like bedrooms, bathrooms, and the kitchen so you can comfortably function in your home from your very first night.

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.