10 Years of Systems by Susie: A Letter of Reflection

Topics: Celebration, Anniversary, Business Updates, Reflections, Gratitude, Small Business

It’s hard to believe that Systems by Susie is celebrating ten years! It seems like it was just yesterday when I gathered fellow moms in my living room and conducted a mini “Shark Tank” to see if they thought selling School Memory Boxes and organizing homes was a viable business idea. Now, after a decade in business, I’m taking a moment to reflect and celebrate. I couldn’t have done it without our amazing team, incredible clients, fellow small business owners, industry friends, and my family. My heart was full when I looked at the faces of those who gathered at our Anniversary celebration and I’m truly grateful for everyone who has been part of this adventure.

Last month, I chuckled when I found out that one of the top Google searches for us—besides “home organization”—was “Organizer Lady Suzy.” I guess in our small town of Annapolis, Maryland, that’s all you need to find us! It’s humbling to think my name has become synonymous with organizing in our town. Ten years ago, I could never have imagined we’d grow into a team of 15, with over 600 clients, 13,000 Instagram followers, and a business that has exceeded all expectations.

But beyond the numbers, what has surprised me most are the meaningful connections we’ve made along the way. We’ve met so many incredible people—clients who’ve become friends and who inspire us with the extraordinary things they do. It’s been an honor to step into their homes and help them transform their spaces, and even more meaningful to become part of their “village.”

What I didn’t expect when I started this business was how much it would go beyond organizing. Sure, we place a lot of bins and label a lot of things, but our mission has always been to lighten the load, especially for women. We’ve been there in all seasons of life: helped new moms prepare nurseries, set up drop zones for children starting kindergarten, helped pack up teens for college, unpack a recent graduate in their first “real” apartment, organize the homes of recently married couples, guided divorced women through setting up their new home base, and supported seniors downsizing a lifetime of memories. The work we do is about more than just making things look pretty—it’s about bringing peace, joy, and a sense of control to our clients’ lives.

Along the way, I also found something I hadn’t expected: my people. In those early years, I struggled to find my place in the social circles around Annapolis, but I found a home among fellow small business owners. From networking events to business talks over coffee (or a glass of wine), these friendships have enriched both my personal and professional life in ways I’ll always cherish.

One of the biggest surprises has been how much this business has become a family affair. When I started, I was squeezing work in while my kids were at school or asleep. Now, the whole family pitches in. My kids help with everything from assembling shelves to breaking down the endless stream of boxes that show up on our doorstep. (At our house, you’ll hear “There’s a package on the porch!” several times a day!) My daughter has worked as our social media intern, and helps me stay on top of trends and reels. And my husband has been my biggest supporter and the best business sounding board from day one. This milestone belongs to them just as much as it does to me. Although, I joke that if there’s one lesson I hope they take away from my experience is that they should never own their own business!

Finally, I have to reflect on the incredible team that makes Systems by Susie what it is today. What started as just me has grown into a group of talented, caring, and (most importantly) fun women. Each member of our team brings something unique to the table, and they make every workday better with their humor, dedication, and expertise.

Here are a few shout-outs starting with our Project Managers:

• Brooke – She’s been with me for six years and has grown into a true leader, running the organizing side of the business with calmness, creativity, and heart. I couldn’t do this without her.
• Katie – Her attention to detail and creativity has made a huge impact on our business. She’s helped build systems that keep everything running smoothly, and she always goes above and beyond for our clients.
• Crissy – She rose to Project Manager faster than anyone, and her positive, can-do attitude makes even the hardest jobs feel manageable.

Our Lead Organizers are the backbone of what we do:

• Sarah – One of my earliest hires, she has resisted every leadership role I’ve pushed toward her, but that’s only because she’s so good at what she does. She brings fun, energy, and focus to every job.
• Christi – We’ve been friends since our husband’s were in flight school together in Pensacola, FL over 20 years ago, and having her on the team for the past five years has been such a gift. Her positivity and hustle inspire everyone around her.
• Wendy – Her retail background shines in every closet she styles. She loves what she does, and it shows in the way clients rave about her work.

A few more special mentions about our amazing Organizers:

• Alison – She’s the youngest on the team but seems to do everything—from organizing jobs to running our Etsy store and making T-shirts. She’s endlessly creative and is always willing to step in and help wherever needed.
• Melodee – Her calm, gentle spirit makes every job better. And I’m still in awe of her perfectly organized tool benches!
• Lindsay – Somehow, she teaches two Orangetheory classes starting her day at 3:30 a.m. and spend full days organizing with us. Her energy and work ethic are amazing.
• Sandy – Sandy made a lasting impact on our team with her kindness, talent, and (quietly) sassy sense of humor.

Behind the scenes, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do without Lori, our Team Support Manager, who ensures we always have the right supplies to transform a space and make it beautiful. We’re so lucky she shares her background in interior design with us.

Jody, our Client Relations Manager, keeps everything running smoothly with warmth, professionalism, and enthusiasm. Jody is truly the glue that holds us all together.

Karen, our Director of Business Development, is a ray of positivity and encouragement. Her background in marketing has helped us make local connections with other industry professionals and we’re so grateful for her help in expanding our local reach.

Sydney just recently left as our Social Media Manager after 4 years with us. She played a huge role in developing our brand, writing blog posts, sending newsletters, and sharing our work on social media. We were lucky to have Morgan join our ranks a month ago and she has hit the ground running. These ladies are immensely talented and creative and I’m ever grateful to not have to keep up with the algorithm!

This team is more than just a group of employees—they’re friends. Together, we’ve built something truly special, and I am so grateful for every moment we’ve shared.

Looking back, I never imagined this business would grow into what it is today. But I’m excited for what lies ahead. Systems by Susie has always been about more than organizing—it’s about community, support, and creating spaces that bring joy and peace. Here’s to the next ten years and all the exciting things to come!

With gratitude,

Susie

Special thanks to the wonderful local businesses that partnered with us for our 10 Year Anniversary, 10 Days of Giveaways on Instagram: @britneybreaksbread, @hereapopupshop, @blackmarketbakers, @heathercrowder, @mangoandmain, @shopwhimsicality, @drkinney / @thekinneyclinic, @wrabyn, @wellnesswithpriscilla, @details.and.design and @giannanuccistyle! It was an exciting way to celebrate and include local followers and friends with incredible prizes.