Like the Netflix Show ‘Tidying Up with Marie Kondo’?
You’ll love Mary Carlomagno!
By LORRAINE U. MARTINELLE
DUDLEY, Mass.—Got clutter? Well, it’s a new year; time for a fresh start. Stop watching Marie Kondo’s hit Netflix series “Tidying Up with Marie Kondo” and come learn—in person—at Nichols College from another queen of clean the secrets to simplifying your life.
Nationally renowned clutter control expert and author Mary Carlomagno—who was a guest on “The Oprah Winfrey Show”—will keynote the 9thannual Empowering Women in Business Conference (EWIB) at Nichols College Thursday, April 4. Her talk will start at 1:30 p.m. in Daniels Auditorium on Center Road. The Institute for Women’s Leadership (IWL) at Nichols College hosts the conference, which is designed to provide the support, motivation, and resources needed for businesswomen to be successful and inspire the leaders of tomorrow.
“I am thrilled to present on the Nichols College campus, because business development and transformation are central to my career,” said Carlomagno, who founded the company order, which specializes in clutter control, urban apartment solutions, office spaces, and shopping addictions. “The Empowering Women in Business Conference at Nichols gives me the opportunity to teach and share my experiences with a group of dedicated and interested professionals from various backgrounds and experiences.”
Her philosophy is simple: “Do not let clutter control your life”—and it has caught the attention of many television shows and personalities, such as Oprah, “Today” on NBC, CBS News, and Good Housekeeping TV.
Carlomagno has also been interviewed by National Public Radio, Martha Stewart Living, and entertainment TV personality Leeza Gibbons. In addition, her approach has been featured in Real Simple, Woman’s Day, Newsday, and The Daily News, and she frequently writes for publications such as The Washington Post, Philadelphia Inquirer, and Woman’s World.
“At the Empowering Women in Business Conference, I will share with the audience members how they can organize their way to happiness,” said Carlomagno, who is the author of three non-fiction books: Give It Up! My Year of Learning to Live Better with Less (HarperCollins), Secrets of Simplicity (Chronicle Books), Live More, Want Less (Storey Publishing), and Crush Your Clutter audiobook (Post Hill Press); and one novel, Best Friend for Hire (Post Hill Press). “My plan is to inform, inspire, and entertain EWIB conference attendees with my story of career change and transformation. Once I mastered how to edit my life, I was able to create life-changing habits that helped me to ‘live the life I imagined.’ My hope is that the EWIB audience leaves the conference inspired by the power of knowing that little shifts can lead to significant life change. It happened to me!”
TIDY MOVEMENT SPARKS JOY
As far as the Marie Kondo “Spark Joy” tidying craze, Carlomagno believes that every individual seeking self-help and self-improvement needs to be the architect of their own plan.
“Organizing is not one-size-fits-all,” she said. “Each of us needs to figure out which parts work for us. Just like a diet plan, learning a language, or taking up writing—we all adapt our own ‘customized’ ways of doing things, often choosing from different philosophies and teachings to see what works.”
Tidying is a new way of looking at an age-old practice, according to Carlomagno, who explained that de-cluttering, living simply, and living a life with less distraction and attachment are part of a centuries-old practice starting with the Christians, Buddhists, Hindus, Lao Tzu and Taoism, Socrates, the Quakers; and, in more modern times, Henry David Thoreau.
“So, while ‘Tidying Up with Marie Kondo’ might be a trendy and popular show, it’s certainly not a new idea,” pointed out Carlomagno. “I have been practicing these spiritual teachings and running my consulting business since 2005. One thing that does not change, however, is the desire of the human spirit to find a new way of doing things. And that is the beauty of it all.”
Rachel Ferreira, director of the Institute for Women’s Leadership at Nichols College
Rachel Ferreira is co-chair of EWIB and Nichols College’s director of the Institute for Women’s Leadership, whose mission is to develop the leadership potential of female students and serve as a resource and authoritative community voice on women’s leadership. She said she hopes this year’s EWIB conference sparks inspiration, as the past years’ events have.
“We are looking for new ways to offer professional women skills that they can apply to their everyday lives, and I think Mary Carlomagno brings a new look at how we can be the best versions of ourselves,” said Ferreira. “Minimalism is becoming a trend that is pushing people to make room for what is most important, so I am really excited to hear about Mary’s journey as well as her advice.”
Conference goers are encouraged to share their interest in business with accomplished women in the field and with those just launching their careers. In addition, several concurrent sessions have been designed for personal and professional development. Session topics include: learning strategies to break through roadblocks to success; embracing change; boosting productivity; goal setting; social media techniques; and using emotional intelligence to become a high-performing leader. There will be opportunities to network with other women throughout the event. The evening ends with a door prize and several raffle items.
“At the Empowering Women in Business Conference, women can expect to gain newfound inspiration, a sense of achievement, and an increased business network within the local community,” said Ferreira. “It provides women with the dynamic opportunity to advance their career, grow their business, and help design their future by pursuing professional development within a welcoming environment of career-focused women leaders.”
The Empowering Women in Business Conference is open to the public and costs $30. (Register before Feb. 15 and save $5). Nichols campus community members and students (and students from any school) may attend at the reduced rate of $10. To register, please click here.
Lorraine U. Martinelle is director of public relations and social media at Nichols College in Dudley, Mass. Got a story idea? Email her at: Lorraine.Martinelle@nichols.edu