FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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About Streamlined by Steven
What does your company do?
Streamlined by Steven offers a wide range of organizing services, freeing you (or your child, or parent) to focus more on what you love.
Services include, but are not limited to:
Please note: While I have a Master's degree in social work, Streamlined by Steven does not provide therapy. My organizing assistance is not a treatment for ADHD, anxiety, or any other condition, and I am not a substitute for your or your child's clinicians.
Services include, but are not limited to:
- Organizing physical spaces, including homes, offices, and individual rooms
- Creating user-friendly systems for papers, bills, and schedules
- Managing personal technology, including email inboxes, computer files, and music
- Structuring projects—from school assignments to job searches—and preventing procrastination
- Teaching skills for staying organized
Please note: While I have a Master's degree in social work, Streamlined by Steven does not provide therapy. My organizing assistance is not a treatment for ADHD, anxiety, or any other condition, and I am not a substitute for your or your child's clinicians.
WHO IS STEVEN?
Steven Cohen is the founder of Streamlined by Steven and the company's principal organizing consultant. A Washington, D.C., native, Steven holds a B.A. in History from the University of Chicago and a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Maryland School of Social Work.
Steven is a lifelong learner whose wide-ranging career and experiences enable him to connect with the company’s diverse clientele. Among other roles, he has served as a:
Steven is a lifelong learner whose wide-ranging career and experiences enable him to connect with the company’s diverse clientele. Among other roles, he has served as a:
- Business analyst for an international management consulting firm (McKinsey & Company)
- Counselor for families and youth in Title I public schools
- Teaching assistant and guest lecturer for an undergraduate biology course
- Paralegal in the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division
WHAT GEOGRAPHIC AREAS DO YOU SERVE?
Streamlined by Steven is a Washington, D.C.-based business, serving clients in D.C., Maryland, and remotely. I consider in-person work on a case-by-case basis; please get in touch for more information.
I am available to clients worldwide via phone and videoconference. If you wish, I can incorporate screen-sharing services to provide remote tech support, at no extra charge.
I am available to clients worldwide via phone and videoconference. If you wish, I can incorporate screen-sharing services to provide remote tech support, at no extra charge.
WHY START A PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZING COMPANY?
My interest in organizing stretches back to childhood, when I could be found helping friends get organized for the upcoming elementary school year!
For me, organizing exists at that wonderful intersection of services that I enjoy providing, do well, and which others want and need!
Personal organizing combines my passion for:
- Helping others
- Making life more convenient, so we can focus on the people and experiences we love
- Conveying my deep interest in and respect for other people
- Honoring history, both individual and global
For me, organizing exists at that wonderful intersection of services that I enjoy providing, do well, and which others want and need!
Personal organizing combines my passion for:
- Helping others
- Making life more convenient, so we can focus on the people and experiences we love
- Conveying my deep interest in and respect for other people
- Honoring history, both individual and global
Will yOU WORK WITH my child or teen?
Yes, I enjoy and have experience working with youth in multiple contexts! I can help organize homework, toys, playroom storage, shared spaces, and all the various "stuff" that accompanies kids and can overwhelm parents! See my Services page for more details.
Please be aware:
Please be aware:
- A parent or guardian must be present during organizing sessions with youth.
- While I have a Master's degree in social work, I am not providing therapy. I am not a substitute for your or your child's clinicians. My organizing assistance is not a treatment for ADHD, anxiety, or any other condition.
Why choose Streamlined by Steven?
PERSONALIZED, EFFECTIVE SERVICE
You can read rave reviews of my work on Yelp and Google Business. I can also connect you with happy customers who have volunteered to be references.
I want as many people as possible to experience the benefits of streamlined living, so I offer additional sliding scale discounts in cases of financial need.
I care about your organizing goals. My work with you is effective only insofar as it functions well for your unique life--which is why I ask for your feedback throughout and respond by putting your feedback into action!
I listen carefully and closely, and you will have my full, responsive attention. My phone will be off--though yours can certainly be on, if you wish!--and I will have cleared my schedule specifically for you.
I prioritize creating a comfortable working partnership, so you feel at ease saying whatever is on your mind. I value your honesty and am happy to come up with alternatives.
I want as many people as possible to experience the benefits of streamlined living, so I offer additional sliding scale discounts in cases of financial need.
I care about your organizing goals. My work with you is effective only insofar as it functions well for your unique life--which is why I ask for your feedback throughout and respond by putting your feedback into action!
I listen carefully and closely, and you will have my full, responsive attention. My phone will be off--though yours can certainly be on, if you wish!--and I will have cleared my schedule specifically for you.
I prioritize creating a comfortable working partnership, so you feel at ease saying whatever is on your mind. I value your honesty and am happy to come up with alternatives.
PricE transparency
I charge one hourly rate for your project, which we will decide upon together. I offer sliding scales in cases of financial need.
Other companies often include a time minimum, which means you pay for a set number of hours, even if the work takes less time!
By contrast, I charge by the hour, with no minimum number of hours. If you cancel with less than 24 hours notice, I charge for two hours at the hourly rate we’ve agreed on.
I have zero hidden fees:
Other companies often include a time minimum, which means you pay for a set number of hours, even if the work takes less time!
By contrast, I charge by the hour, with no minimum number of hours. If you cancel with less than 24 hours notice, I charge for two hours at the hourly rate we’ve agreed on.
- You book however many hours you want on a given day.
- I bring basic work tools for each session, including tape measure, notepad, masking tape, and permanent markers. Additional supplies that will remain onsite, like files or hangers, are yours to supply or purchase.
- Payment is accepted at the end of that day's session, by cash, check, or app.
I have zero hidden fees:
- No minimum session commitment: I don't require you to commit to four or eight or 20 sessions. If you want one session, I can do one session!
- No mysterious price quotes: I don't issue a "project quote" that might run overtime and over-cost. I charge based on hours booked.
- No consultation fee: I offer a free phone consult and a free in-person consult at the site you'd like to organize!
- No commissions: Proud to be conflict-of-interest-free! I don't recommend particular products order to get commission fees.
I don't get "kickbacks" from any closet design, rental storage, or other business. I have no incentive to get you to go shopping--so if I recommend a product, you can feel confident that my recommendation is unbiased.
SENSITIVE RESPONSES TO your NEEDS
I care about your individual needs:
Please let me know: I value your business and am honored to have you as a client. All inquiries are private, and I will do my best to serve you!
I enjoy and value interacting with clients of different backgrounds and identities. I:
- In a hurry?
- Have a limited budget?
- Have health concerns that might affect our work together?
- Have another question?
Please let me know: I value your business and am honored to have you as a client. All inquiries are private, and I will do my best to serve you!
I enjoy and value interacting with clients of different backgrounds and identities. I:
- Offer sliding scale discounts in cases of financial need
- Bring the same high quality of service to projects of varying sizes, scopes, and budgets
- Am LGBTQ+ friendly
- Collaborate with interpreters and speakers of other languages
- ... and more!
How does the process work?
How involved can i be?
As involved as you like! I welcome your active participation.
We’ll discuss your organizing goals, and use that information to structure our work. Depending on the nature of your project, you can choose to:
We’ll discuss your organizing goals, and use that information to structure our work. Depending on the nature of your project, you can choose to:
- Work side-by-side with me
- Complete some components by yourself and delegate others to me
- Hire me to do research and issue recommendations, and then send you my findings
- Do some components via videoconference and other components in person
- Another arrangement that you'd prefer
WHAT IS THE FREE PHONE CONSULT?
We'll talk by phone for up to 30 minutes about what you're envisioning and how I can help you meet your needs. All inquiries are confidential.
Here are some questions that I usually address during this initial conversation:
Here are some questions that I usually address during this initial conversation:
- What spaces (e.g., home office, garage, kitchen) or systems (e.g., email, calendar, financial) are you looking to address?
- What do you wish were different about them?
- What are your organizing goals?
- How involved would you like to be?
- Are other family members, housemates, or pets involved?
- What is your timeframe?
WHAT ARE SESSIONS LIKE?
For every session, you can count on me to:
- Arrive on time
- Be prepared with a plan--and be flexible about revising the plan if your needs change!
- Have cleared my schedule to focus on you. I do not field calls or texts from other clients during sessions. Your time with me is all about you.
- Sorting through bills, to determine what to store, scan, shred, and send
- Transforming your email inbox using filters, labels, the "snooze" function, and more
- Conducting a joint session with you and your high school graduate: prepare for a successful start to college, trade school, or a gap year
WHAT ABOUT client PRIVACY?
I am committed to maintaining your privacy to the utmost extent allowed by law. I do not share the Streamlined by Steven client list or any identifying information regarding clients. All references have volunteered to speak with you about their experiences.
ARE THERE ANY SITUATIONS YOU DON'T WORK IN?
I am unable to come in person to sites with cats or cigarette smoke, due to respiratory allergies. (All other pets are welcome!)
I remain available to provide remote consulting by phone or videoconference.
I remain available to provide remote consulting by phone or videoconference.
What steps are you taking in response to COVID-19 (coronavirus)?
ARE YOU Fully VACCINATED against covid-19?
Yes, I (Steven) am current on my COVID vaccines and boosters. I am happy to show you proof of vaccination/boosters.
DO You take additional steps to ensure my safety?
Yes: your safety is my top priority. You can count on me to:
- Cheerfully mask, per your preference, during an in-person session
- Wash or sanitize my hands
- Accommodate any requests that would make you feel more comfortable: e.g., staying 6 feet away at all times
- Answer any questions you have about my safety practices
DO I NEED TO BE VACCINATED IN ORDER TO WORK WITH YOU?
Yes: I only do in-person work with vaccinated clients.
I recognize that some clients have children who are age-ineligible for vaccination. I am happy to discuss with you how I can meet your organizing needs while keeping you, your child, and me safe.
I recognize that some clients have children who are age-ineligible for vaccination. I am happy to discuss with you how I can meet your organizing needs while keeping you, your child, and me safe.