Founder's Bio

Short Version of Bio

Calahan Solutions, Inc. has shown people how to reduce stress through organization since 2002. Stephanie L. H. Calahan, company founder and president, believes; “Everyone has a set of natural blessings or talents, and organization is one of mine; but I understand that many individuals find it difficult to be organized…that is exactly why I founded Calahan Solutions.”

Her secret is seeing that every process can be dissected into simple parts, re-arranged with steps for improvement, and reassembled into a workable and successful package. Stephanie recognizes her clients often have similar needs, but they may be at completely different technical levels. She helps a variety of people, from busy executives/managers to stay-at-home moms by creating custom solutions.

Stephanie says that her favorite thing in life is spending time with her husband and son. She also volunteers her time at a variety of local organizations and is a member of the National Association of Professional Organizer’s (NAPO) web site committee.

Long Version of Bio

Working as a Delivery Group Manager for Hewitt Associates opened Stephanie’s eyes to the need for organizational strategies in the workplace. Her job included project management, overseeing client management, and developing content database management systems. Knowledge management was her main area of passion and she worked to improve efficiency and work enjoyment for both her team and other teams in the firm.

She has been organized her entire life; in fact, a label maker is not an odd gift in her family! Stephanie's Mom and Dad have different approaches to organization and Steph has picked up on both methods. Studying Chronic Disorganization came early in life — she started studying ADD/ADHD when she was in junior high. "My youngest brother was diagnosed with ADD and I wanted to understand what that meant and help him to understand." Many of her research papers in both high school and college were on the topic of learning differences and she continues to pursue further knowledge in that area today.

So who does Stephanie look to for inspiration? "My dad, through all of his various jobs, has had a tremendous positive impact on me and on thousands of people in his life by helping them grow and develop into better individuals. He has done so with a huge amount of modesty, passion and charisma. I can only hope to have such a positive impact on those I work with!" She knew she had a knack for prioritizing and organizing, and she wanted to share her skills with others. Founding her own business makes it possible to achieve these goals.

It also allows her to pull her degrees from Illinois State University's honors department—Management Information Systems and Human Resource Management—and her childhood dreams—teaching and interior design—together.

Stephanie is a member following professional organizations:

National Association of Professional Organizers - NAPO (where she serves on the web site committee)
National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization - NSGCD Stephanie has earned

- Certificate of Study in Chronic Disorganization - NSGCD - August 2005

- Certificate of Study in Understanding the Needs of the Elderly CD Client - NSGCD - September 2005

- Certificate of Study in the Basic Mental Health Conditions and Challenges Affecting the CD Client - NSGCD - December 2005

- Certificate of Study in CD Client Administration - NSGCD - December 2005

- Certificate of Study in Basic Physical Conditions Affecting the CD Client - NSGCD - December 2005
National Association of Woman Business Owners - NAWBO;
The McLean County Chamber of Commerce; and
The Better Business Bureau - BBB.

In addition, she volunteers for the YWCA Stepping Stones program (sexual assault support counseling), is a CASA volunteer and for the American Red Cross as well as in her son's classroom.

Organizing is about making time and room for what is important to you. Practicing what she preaches, she consistently balances the demands of a business owner with her personal schedule by developing systems that work specifically for her family's needs. As a result, Stephanie has plenty of time for her favorite pastimes: spending time with family and friends, reading, singing, volunteering and taking photos for her son's scrapbook.

Stephanie lives in Bloomington, Illinois with her husband and young sons.