Get Organized
Carol Ai May and Steven Ai of City Mill turn their business acumen to a new venture, Simply Organized, which says it all. Despite getting ready to launch a brand-new speciality retail store
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with our economy, with tourism. This is one area that someone can take back control - to make sure they are organized at home so at least they feel comfortable and in control,” Steven says.
Carol adds: “A lot of people right now, because of the economy, feel out of control. And I think this is one small, easy, inexpensive way of having some sort of psychological control over part of your life. Just something to make you feel a little bit better.”
Think about it. How do you feel when you can’t find your keys? Frustrated, stressed, irritated, nervous, near-tears. In a word, lost.
“When you can find everything, your life becomes much easier,” Steven says point-blank. “Being organized does help a person’s lifestyle. You’re more peaceful and calm; you’re not so wound up trying to find things that were ‘just here a minute ago’.”
City Mill will continue to sell organizational products, as Steven says it has becomes an area many people rely on, but it is unclear what the mix will be.
“Right now there is not a Simply Organized next to every City Mill store,” he explains. “We’ll continue to sell some organizational and storage components, but clearly Simply Organized is going to have a greater selection of items.”
Indeed, the size of Simply Organized alone is 10 times that of the average City Mill storage-product department. To be sure their customers can navigate the aisles of the 12,000-square-foot store, Steven and Carol personally hired a team of 20 new employees who are all passionate about organization.
“Most of our team members - and we’re calling them ‘organization specialists’- most of them are neat-nicks and really like to be organized,” laughs Carol, adding that another trait they all have in common is that they are from West Oahu.
“Our story is not the layoffs we’re hearing in the paper every day. We’ve made 20 new jobs we’re really proud of, and they all come from the West Oahu/Leeward side, which is great for them because it’s so convenient.”
Two key members of the Simply Organized team are Michelle Suzuki of Aiea and Rochelle Ortiz of Kapolei. As merchandise manager, Suzuki is the one responsible for all items sold at the retail store. Ortiz, described as one with “high-level positive energy and tremendous work ethic,” oversees all store operations. And of course, there is the team of new recruits who are still busy vacuuming the floors, arranging the shelves and whistling as they work to make sure all is ready for their big debut this weekend.
“We believe that good customer service, which is most important above all, comes from happy employees,” Carol says. “What we want to do is create a professional yet family environment.”
Steven adds that their team of staff and associates has helped City Mill be named one of the top places in Hawaii to work in the last two years. They both believe that with their new group of players and their tried-and-true philosophies in place, nothing will stand in their way.
“We know that we’re going to be constantly refining,” says Steven. “The grand opening is just the start. We basically have to listen to our customers, see what it is they’re looking for and try to meet those needs.”
“And with the economy being the way it is today, I think this will be a Christmas with a lot of practical gifts,” Carol, a self-described rationalist, says. “People are really watching how they’re spending their money, and, you know, practical is a good way to go.”
From plastic, crayon-colored organizer buckets for your little ones to a leather remote control holder for Grandpa, Simply Organized offers their products at all price-points for all life-points.
“And while it’s better to give than to receive, I think during times like this, sometimes it’s good for some people to give gifts to themselves to make them feel good too,” says Steven. “I don’t mean extravagance. It doesn’t have to be a big expenditure, but just finding something that makes you better and like you’re in control can do wonders for your psyche.”
Another sure chance to lift your spirits is at the Simply Organized grand opening celebration this Saturday, Nov. 22. After a blessing ceremony at 9 a.m., KCCN radio’s Lina Girl emcees a day filled with music, games and prizes, including the ones offered in the “We’ll Organize your Garage and Fill it!” contest sponsored by the radio station. Winners receive a $1,000 shopping spree so they can pick up what they need to get their garage in order. Oh, and did we mention that the prize package includes a new car to fill all that extra space? Free plastic project cases also will be given out to customers when they spend $25 or more during opening day (while supplies last).
Right now on KCCN FM 100, there is also a “Hawaii’s Messiest Room Contest,” where the winner will receive a $500 Simply Organized shopping spree along with expert advice from a professional organizer. For rules and how to enter, go to www.kccnfm100.com.
But wait! Before you all run out to get your houses in order, here’s some advice on how to get and stay organized.
“If in doubt, throw it out,” says Steven.
“The No. 1 step to getting organized is always get rid of - throw away, give away - stuff you don’t need,” says Carol. “And there’s one that my girlfriend told me for closets: When something new comes in, something old goes out. Another good one is ...”
“Always label things,” Steven interjects.
“Ooh, we should sell a label-maker. Do we have a label-maker?”
(Yes, they do.)
Simply Organized is located in the newly constructed Crossroads at Kapolei Shopping Center, located at the intersection of Kamokila Boulevard and Wakea Street adjacent to the Kapolei 16-Plex theaters and Bank of Hawaii. For more on products, career opportunities, or store hours and location, visit www.simplyorganized.net.
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