Insider Insights with Rachel Solutions
Did you know that on average, people spend around 90,000 hours of their lives working? Let's make sure every one of those hours is spent doing something you love and excel at!
Hi there! I’m Rachel, a dedicated solutions consultant with expertise in small business, HR, career development, and non-profit sectors. Through Rachel Solutions, I provide personalized advice and support to help my clients unlock their full potential and achieve their goals across various domains.
This topic is immensely important to me because I believe everyone deserves to thrive and find fulfillment in their professional and personal lives. By offering tailored guidance and strategies, I empower individuals and businesses to navigate challenges confidently and achieve success.
Fun Fact: Did you know that on average, people spend around 90,000 hours of their lives working? Let's make sure every one of those hours is spent doing something you love and excel at!
Here are 5 quick and actionable tips:
Small Business: Create a detailed business plan to guide your growth and track your progress. A clear plan helps you stay focused and makes it easier to communicate your vision to others.
HR: Foster a positive and inclusive workplace culture. Encourage open communication, provide regular feedback, and recognize employees' achievements to boost morale and productivity.
Career Development: Set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals to help you stay on track and motivated. Regularly review and adjust your goals as needed.
Non-Profit: Build strong relationships with your community and stakeholders. Engage them through events, newsletters, and social media to keep them informed and involved in your mission.
Networking: Attend local events and join professional groups to expand your network. Building connections with like-minded individuals can open up new opportunities and provide valuable support.
Whether you're running a small business, managing HR, advancing your career, or working in the non-profit sector, the key to success is continuous learning and adaptation. Remember that every challenge is an opportunity to grow and improve.
CHALLENGE
This week, I challenge you to set one specific and achievable goal in your area of focus. Whether it's improving team communication, enhancing your resume, or boosting community engagement, take that first step today.
Try one of these tips and let me know how it works for you! Share your experiences, successes, and any questions you have—I'd love to hear from you and support you on your journey
We've covered quick and actionable tips for small business growth, HR management, career development, and non-profit work. Each of these areas is crucial for achieving success and fulfillment.
At Rachel Solutions, we provide personalized advice and strategies to help you navigate these domains effectively. Our goal is to empower you with the knowledge and support needed to thrive in your professional and personal life.
For those wanting to dive deeper into these topics, Rachel Solutions offers in-depth coaching sessions tailored to your specific needs. Let's work together to unlock your full potential and achieve your goals. To discover more about how we can support you, visit our website.
Don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re here to help you succeed!
A Busy Entrepreneur’s Guide to Clutter-Free Gifts
When you’re a busy entrepreneur juggling work and family life, it can be overwhelming to add holiday shopping into the mix.
The holiday season brings so much joy—meals with family, gatherings with friends, and the thrill of finding the perfect gift. But when you’re a busy entrepreneur juggling work and family life, it can be overwhelming to add holiday shopping into the mix. Between running a business, keeping up with family activities, and managing the day-to-day, finding meaningful gifts (without adding clutter!) is a challenge. And let’s face it—most kids already have more than enough toys and our parents are working on downsizing! That's why this year, I’m rethinking gift-giving to focus on essentials, experiences, and clutter-free options.
As an Edmonton-based Professional Organizer, I know firsthand how traditional gift-giving can lead to extra “stuff” in our homes—stuff that often causes stress instead of joy. With rising costs affecting everyone, it’s the perfect time to consider practical, memorable gifts that bring real value. Yes, even something as simple as toilet paper can be meaningful! So, if you’re looking for thoughtful gifts for any budget, here are my top clutter-free gifting ideas for you and your loved ones.
Photo by Blake Loates
Experiences as Gifts: Prioritizing Memories Over Material Goods
For hard-working entrepreneurs, time together is the most precious gift. Experiences make wonderful presents because they create lasting memories without adding clutter to the house and extra responsibility to your life. Plus, there’s something for every budget! Whether it’s a cooking class or a weekend getaway, experiences are a chance to put down our phones and enjoy time with our family and loved ones.
If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, consider planning a homemade experience. A family movie night, family ice skating day, or a DIY crafting session at home all make for memorable, personal gifts. And if you’re splurging, concert tickets or a trip to a high end restaurant is perfect for celebrating after a hectic year.
Pro Tip: Snap a few photos to remember the experience and create a small keepsake album. It’s a wonderful reminder of the time spent together!
Gifting Peace of Mind: Supporting Self-Care and Well-Being
Entrepreneurs know how easy it is to put self-care on the back burner. For many of us, spa days or yoga classes get pushed aside in favor of work or family responsibilities. That’s why a gift that supports well-being can make a huge impact, especially during a busy holiday season.
A spa treatment, massage, or even a fitness class membership can encourage self-care and provide a much-needed break. For the kids, swimming lessons or dance classes give them an experience while supporting their healthy development. A gift that promotes health and relaxation can be a gentle reminder to make time for well-being amid a busy schedule.
Essentials as Gifts: Practical Presents for Real-Life Needs
Essentials may not sound glamorous, but for many of us, they’re invaluable. With the rising cost of running a business and buying everyday necessities, practical gifts like toilet paper, gas cards or your go-to skin care products can be surprisingly thoughtful and deeply appreciated. I’m putting these items on my own wish list this year—they’re guaranteed to be used!
If you have friends or family with young kids, consider gifts like diapers or winter gear, which can be a big help in stretching the family budget. Essentials aren’t just practical; they’re thoughtful and show you prioritize the recipient’s needs.
Pro Tip: The best way to get them what they want is to take the time to ASK!
Gifts that Lighten the Load: Services Over Stuff
For women balancing it all, a gift that lightens the mental or physical load is priceless. Instead of another candle or toy that could end up in a closet, think about services that make life easier. Gift a house-cleaning service, car detailing, or share your time by babysitting or sharing your special talent like photography.
Another great service for entrepreneurial women with packed schedules is more time, less stress and more joy. You guessed it - I’m talking about decluttering and organizing services! As a Professional Organizer, I see how much professionals appreciate a well-functioning, clutter-free home. A gift voucher for organizing services can be a powerful way to give someone time and peace of mind.
Pro Tip: When gifting a service, personalize it with a handwritten card for a special touch.
Photo by Jamie Cornish
Rethinking Gift Giving
When life is busy, and the holiday season brings even more demands, gifts that are simple, useful, and clutter-free can bring real value. Essentials, experiences, and helpful services show you understand what’s meaningful in their day-to-day lives. Whether it’s a relaxing self-care gift, a practical essential, or a fun family experience, these gifts enhance life and reduce stress.
So as you plan your holiday list, consider gifts that bring joy without adding to the chaos. And if you’re looking for the ultimate clutter-free gift, Sort & Simple offers gift vouchers—perfect for anyone in need of a helping hand in their busy life!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kaytlyn Beakhouse is the Lead Organizer at Sort & Simple Professional Organizing. With a passion for simplicity, efficiency and sustainability, her team brings flow and function to any space.
Need help getting started? Contact S&S
Photo by Christina Louise Branding
How to Declutter Using the reHome Hub
Helping Busy Entrepreneurs Declutter with Impact. As a woman in business, you’ve got a lot on the go.
Helping Busy Entrepreneurs Declutter with Impact
As a woman in business, you’ve got a lot on the go. Making time to declutter and organize isn’t easy, and it can be even more challenging when you don’t know what to do with the items you want to let go of.
I know you don’t want to toss a perfectly good coffee mug in the trash, or to chuck out a T-shirt simply because it’s got a highschool emblem on it. Maybe you’ve got a big, heirloom dresser that you couldn’t possibly lift on your own, or even an old set of Pyrex bowls that might hold some value. As professional home organizers, we’ve seen this countless times!
Meet the reHome Hub: Your Go-To Decluttering Directory
Our second-hand directory connects you with local organizations eager to give your items a new lease on life— and keep them out of the landfill. Whether you're itching to donate, consign, or sell your goods, we've got you covered.
The reHome Hub is online and absolutely free! Making it accessible to all Albertans with just a few clicks.
How Do I Declutter With the reHome Hub?
It’s as easy as Sort & Simple! Sortandsimple.ca, that is. From our website, go to the menu and select reHome Hub. There you’ll find the second hand directory!
You can browse all of the organizations, or you can refine your search based on the category of item you are looking to rehome. We've curated a list of businesses, charities, schools, and makers looking for:
• Clothing and Textiles
• Baby and Children's Items
• School and Art Supplies
• Books and Media
• Furniture and Home Goods
• Home Renovation Supplies
• Sporting Goods
• And more!
For each organization, you’ll find helpful information including what items are accepted, where they are located and how to get in touch if you have further questions. Plus, we’ve listed who can do pick-ups (great for big furniture!) and highlighted some of the most needed items (wonderful for decluttering motivation!).
The reHome Hub is more than just a directory - it's a platform that showcases the commitment of Albertans to keep reusable items out of the landfill. With our comprehensive list of organizations, you can trust that your decluttered items will find new homes and new life!
Time to Declutter with Impact!
With the reHome Hub at your fingertips, you’re ready to tackle decluttering with confidence.
No more wasting time, wondering where all your stuff should go after spring cleaning, or stressing over where to consign clothes in Edmonton. Head on over to the reHome Hub to save time, declutter with purpose, and support sustainably-minded community organizations!
Still feeling stuck?
Contact Sort & Simple to declutter with confidence!
Photography | Christina Louise Branding
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kaytlyn Beakhouse is the Lead Organizer at Sort & Simple Professional Organizing. With a passion for simplicity, efficiency and sustainability, her team brings flow and function to any space. Ready to organize your space? Contact S&S
Did you know that on average, people spend around 90,000 hours of their lives working? Let's make sure every one of those hours is spent doing something you love and excel at!