Lovatt Effective Systems is about organizing clients' offices. It is also about its founder balancing her work and family life.

Amanda Lovatt had been involved in high tech for more than 14 years when she decided to take time out to be with her children. Then a software development manager at Nortel, she took a year's leave of absence in 2000.

"I just loved being with my kids, doing volunteer work and being involved in the community, so I decided to stay off a bit longer,'' she says.

Then came the high-tech industry crash and Ms. Lovatt began looking elsewhere for employment that could be fitted around the lifestyle that she did not want to give up. Professional organizing seemed to fit the bill.

"The more I read about the profession, the more my interest was piqued,'' she says, pointing out that "professional organizers come from all walks of life and bring a variety of different skills with them.''

In her case, she says, the connection between her former career in software development and organizing was solving problems.

"That's what I'm trained to do. And, I love the people side of the job. I was a high-tech manager who loved management and loved helping my staff. Organizing is very much a people-oriented job that requires problem solving. I had all the computer skills I needed and the field is conducive to doing research and prep work from home. It seemed a great combination."

When her youngest child entered Grade 1, Ms. Lovatt jumped in.

Her set-up costs, which included taking a course on starting an organizing business, have amounted to $5,000 to date. "I haven't purchased all I want yet,'' says the 40-year-old. "I intend to build gradually.''

For instance, she already owned a computer and a vehicle. She plans to buy a laptop as soon as her business is in a profit situation ("realistically by the end of the year.'') Meanwhile, she frequently works with clients on their computers.

She has invested in such equipment as a labeller (labelling containers is a key to good organization) and a digital camera (for before and after shots) as well as basic office equipment. She was able to economize on promotional materials, using her desktop publishing skills to prepare brochures and design a website for Lovatt Effective SystemS, following through on her slogan of doing more with LESS.

"Because I'm a need-to-do-it person, I practised on my friends, so I had a lot of volunteer hours before I set up my business,'' says Ms. Lovatt.

The company's specialty is increasing personal efficiency and office and computer information organization, as well as some home organization now that working from home is increasingly popular.

"With all the paperwork that comes into the kitchen -- kids' stuff, bills and so on -- there's always a struggle with paper and you need a filing system there,'' she says. "I've been living it with a young family and have come up with solutions that work for me and can be modified for someone else.''

In any case, she adds, home organization "is a little easier to get into, so I'm willing to do that to help with the cash flow, as I build up the business organization side.''

She also gives seminars and workshops on effective paper and electronic information storage and management and efficient time and work-flow management.

Many of the most successful techniques are very simple, she says. For example, a binder filled with plastic sleeves for storing children's homework or messages from school ensures they are easily accessible. A paper planner used exclusively for daily to-do lists, combined with an electronic organizer/address book, is particularly useful. ("I always like having a backup system.'')

Efficiency in dealing with computerized information includes providing clients with methods for organizing their e-mail or setting up accounting systems.

"Software has so many possibilities,'' says Ms. Lovatt. "There's so much you can do yourself if you know how, so I can provide clients with tips or do the work for them. You can organize the computer to organize you.

"The aim is to create a customized system that works for the client -- to restore order and provide practical techniques for staying organized."

Lovatt Effective Systems

Location: Ottawa

Telephone: (613) 831-4543

E-mail, web: Amanda@LovattEffectiveSystemS.com; www.LovattEffectiveSystemS.com

What's best about the job: The freedom to adapt hours of work, regular contact with people and using problem-solving training.

What's worst: Establishing the business financially without taking a bank loan.

Biggest challenge: Overcoming shyness when dealing with strangers.

Entrepreneurial Spirit - Successful Small Business. Profile of Lovatt Effective Systems. Ran with fact box "Lovatt Effective Systems", which has been appended to the story.