Mother's Day Feature: Lisa Jacobs

This is the final post in our Mother's Day blog series. You can read the previous posts here: day 1, day 2, day 3, day 4, and day 5. Happy Mother's Day from Imagine it Done!

Lisa Jacobs , founder and CEO of Imagine it Done, created her business in 2004 after discovering her innate ability to organize whatever chaos came her way. The journey that led Lisa to this destination began at Boston University. As a 1977 Magna Cum Laude graduate in Spanish and French studies, Lisa landed her first job with Payot, the French beauty company. Several years later, moving on to the world of advertising and the model agency industry, Lisa worked in NY and Paris, assistant to the chief creative director for fashion and beauty accounts; Chanel, L’oreal, and Garnier. Moving back to Manhattan, she worked for Ford Models before settling down to embrace the phase 2 of her ongoing career. Soon married, 3 children and 7 homes later , she realized the task, process and moving projects were more than a hobby, rather a lifestyle. Deliberately, for the next several years she concentrated on establishing a business from this passion.

After more than a decade of taking many financial and personal risks, Imagine it Done has grown into a leading business in its category. With a trained team of 12, Imagine it Done provides home organization services to clients throughout the NY and Tristate area. Through our social media platforms such as Instagram, website, blog and newsletters, we also educate our worldwide followers with videos, products and photos, how to get and stay organized. We believe an organized space is an organized mind is an organized life.

Which parts of your own life are the most and least organized?

Least organized were always my finances. Not anymore. Now I am wiser, lol. I did what I believe to be life changing in many aspects of my life. I defer to others more expert in areas I am not. I always found it so challenging learning how to keep up with my own personal and business finances. There’s so much to learn. It is not just math. Now with the help of a trustworthy assistant, thankfully what I painfully had to do, I don’t have to do any longer.

The most organized part of my life is my daily schedule. I am in the habit of writing every appointment, task, event in an agenda. If I don’t write it I don’t process. This habit began when I entered college. My dad gave me a weekly planner and told me this is the key to organization. This became a routine I actually enjoy. The exercise of writing is something that comforts me and allows me to think about more than just the words on the paper. I feel as though it is mental stimulation.

What is your favorite space to organize in a home?

This is a tough question as I love organizing even my daily mail, hah. But if I have to choose one space it is the linen closet. Linens are so beautiful. The crisp cottons rolled and folded together onto a shelf brings joy and tranquility to my day. I love the bins labeled stacked on the shelves. There is so much symmetry to this space. I think this is one of the important factors that defines organization.

Your number one tip for a new mom:

Take motherhood seriously. Throughout every pregnancy I was ecstatic to feel the life growing inside me and my body growing to accommodate this life. I was fortunate to have three healthy pregnancies and three healthy children. As I reflect on the years raising my children, I have memories to last dozens of lifetimes. This is a life-changing chapter which will change you, enlighten you and shape you. The bonus for me about motherhood is that it never ends. My relationship with all of my children defines me. I didn’t begin my career until the kids were old enough to manage day to day life without my scrutiny and hands-on involvement. I am very present to this day in their lives as I was when they were young. I also love sharing my experiences as a mother. It is something you can share with the world. My advice for healthy children and being an evolved mom is to avoid comparisons. Your children are unique and your methods should reflect who THEY are and your lifestyle. Relish every moment. Babies turn to adults in a blink in real time. Be present.

What is the perfect gift for a mom who is starting to organize her home?

A gift certificate from Imagine it Done!!

How did you get your start and what was your initial inspiration?

My career began with an innate passion for organization. After having moved my family seven times, I realized the ability to organize whatever chaos came my way. A family of three children, three different schools, with different schedules was a challenge I embraced and managed. I realized the task, process and projects were more than a hobby, rather a lifestyle. I wanted to share my journey with others to advise hands on in their day-to-day life.

How did the business opportunity arise and what is it like being owning your own business?

The business opportunity did not just appear, I made a business happen. I never expected any handouts. The years developing Imagine it Done were so time consuming, inspiring, life changing, challenging, and all told rewarding. I guess I love challenge as I reflect on the 16 years in the making. I developed a business from my passion, never thinking what it would be like to own my own a business. It got real when I really started thinking! Definitely no regrets. Only opportunities that lie ahead.