Christine Hofler’s passion for organization traces back to countless hours cleaning her messy childhood bedroom, finding joy in bringing order to chaos. Years later, at the University of Richmond, cleaning became a prelude to studying when exams loomed.

Little did she know that this love for structure would evolve into a fulfilling career.

The turning point came in 2014, when she stumbled upon a now-classic book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, which introduced author and professional organizer Marie Kondo to the world. Hofler experienced a light-bulb moment: The idea that bringing order to one’s physical space could ease emotional stress and “spark joy” resonated deeply. With some 300,000 items cluttering the average home, it's no wonder that organizing consistently ranks among top New Year’s resolutions, and more than half of Americans say they’re overwhelmed by clutter.

“People look around their house. They see all this clutter. And they don't know where to start,” said Hofler, who studied psychology and German, graduating in 1987. “We keep adding things on and don’t let anything go. People just need someone to come in and help them: ‘Show me. Give me a path to do this, keep me motivated.’” 

In 2019, Hofler opened BOLD Joyful Organizing in Minnesota’s Twin Cities. “The aim is to bring these qualities to every aspect of a person's life — not just their physical space,” she added. “It's about creating a lifestyle that radiates positivity, from the spaces we inhabit to the way we approach our relationships and values.” 

Before opening her business, Hofler became certified in Kondo’s KonMari Method in 2018 to differentiate her services. This multi-stage process starts with sorting clothes and culminates in dealing with sentimental items such as papers and photographs, focusing on what to keep rather than what to discard. Hofler’s rigorous training included personal lessons from Kondo herself, ensuring a deep understanding of the methodologies and philosophies.

Before the three-day course, Hofler reread Kondo’s books and applied those lessons to her own home. After the course, she found practice clients, completed 30 hours of organizing, and documented the process with photos and reports. KonMari consultants reviewed her work and provided feedback, all leading up to a final assessment and certification interview.

Whether called to arrange a closet or tackle a toy room, Hofler recognizes the root challenge is not the physical disarray but a lack of intentional living amid a busy life. Her smart systems introduce efficiency so clients know what they have, where to find it and where to put it back. “This shift in mindset plays a significant role in transforming not only physical spaces but also the way individuals make purchasing decisions and approach their possessions,” she said.

Hofler’s major ask of clients is to consciously commit time and energy to the process, which everyone underestimates. Clutter accumulates bit by bit, and major life changes complicate the journey.

In 2024, Hofler is partnering with a life coach to offer 10-week group programs. These virtual sessions include readings and exercises on related topics to reflect on current experiences and discover ways to enhance their lives. “It’s a small, supportive community,” she said, “working together to create meaningful, positive changes.”