Pivoting from Caterer to Professional Organizer: an interview with Carolyn Dow of Seriatim Inc.

Carolyn Dow owned and managed a successful catering company in New York City for 25 years. It was a natural pivot for her to join Seriatim, a leading Company in professional organizing and move management. She brings her expertise in planning and problem solving, passion, and understanding of people to her new role. Carolyn shared her dramatic story of being smuggled out of Iraq at the age of 6, so that her mother could leave an unhappy marriage and retain custody. Her mother remarried, and Carolyn spent her formative years, from age 8 to 16, in Venezuela. Carolyn's mom was very independent and entrepreneurial, and Carolyn herself recalls being a mature, responsible person at a very young age. She always worked, and put herself through college with a mix of savings, financial aid and scholarships. She graduated from college with a theater degree and a minor in music, and did sing with a couple of pop-rock groups in New York after graduation. She also freelanced with a catering company that her mother had started. When her mother decided to move to Arizona, Carolyn took over the business. She enjoyed the work for many years, until the Covid-19 pandemic shut everything down in 2020. It was then she began to consider what she could do next."I was always fascinated with organizers because, as organized as I am in catering and my checklist and all of that, it doesn't mean my home or my papers or all those things are that way. But if you have to do it, you just find a way to do it. And so I thought, okay, great. I'd like to work with an organizer and figure out tips and make my wardrobe look easy to access and so on and so forth. And basically reached out to her and said: I don't know what's going to happen with catering. I don't know if I want to continue it, even if it comes back and I'd like to work with you." - Carolyn DowKey takeaways:- Just go for it, and then you’ll figure out how to do it. Carolyn shared a story of agreeing to cater an event when she just started out that seemed like it was going to be way too big for her company. She followed her mother’s advice to go for it, and the event was much more manageable than she had anticipated. And she ended up working with the client, one of her biggest accounts, for 20 years!- Consider the skills you’ve used in a previous career when searching for a new role. Carolyn had run her own catering company for 25 years before transitioning to a new role with a professional organizing and move management company. She knew that she had strong administrative skills, and thrives on interactions and relationships. She knew that she would not enjoy being behind a computer all day. She needed to be working with a team, at a job.- Always be learning. After her long career as a caterer, Carolyn was ready for a new challenge. Her new role required her to learn new things, including how to use new technology. She is thankful to work with a supportive team that enables her to grow with less stress.About the guest:After 25 years of owning and managing a successful catering company in NYC, it was a natural pivot for Carolyn to join Seriatim. For more than two decades, Seriatim Inc. has been a leader in professional organizing and move management, bringing harmony and order to life transitions. Carolyn brings her expertise in planning and problem solving and her passion and understanding of people to the success of any project. People often describe her as warm and enthusiastic with a special knack for putting everyone at ease. Being fluent in Spanish has also been very helpful!LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/carolyn-dow-999aa04Website: www.Seriatim.netEmail address: [email protected] Interested in booking a free consultation? Schedule a call.Stay connected:Connect with Laura on LinkedIn@Rotters5 on TwitterConnect with Laura on FacebookSubscribe to my YouTube channelSubscribe to my newsletterGet your free copy of Unlock Your Money Blocks Workbook : Your step-by-step guide to unlocking your blocks to financial freedom.Disclaimer: Please remember that the information shared on this podcast does not constitute accounting, legal, tax, investment or financial advice. It’s for informational purposes only. You should seek appropriate professional advice for your specific information.