Productivity and Organization Expert Stephanie LH Calahan: Fun Facts

Professional Involvement

Stephanie is an involved member following professional organizations:

The Better Business Bureau - BBB 2004 - present BBB Accredited business with A+ rating
National Association of Professional Organizers - NAPO: activities have included serving as new member mentor & development coach, on national leadership development task force, as new member ambassador, on website development committee
National Association of Professional Organizers Golden Circle
Institute for Challenging Organization (ICD) formerly known as National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization - NSGCD: activities have included serving as the international referral coordinator
Paper Tiger Expert - active member in good standing
Paper Tiger Authorized Consultants Network - active member in good standing - program closed in 2009
National Association of Woman Business Owners - NAWBO: activites have included serving as Membership Services Director, National Leadership & Education forum member, public relations committeechair of awards committee, and chair of social events
National Association for Female Executives - NAFE
Faithful Organizers

Involvement in Community

Teaching and philanthropy are very strong in Stephanie's family history. Giving back to the community is a standard and privilege.

Baby Fold Festival of Trees - volunteer in planning and delivery of fund raising event
District 87 – Washington Grade School - volunteers in her son's classroom, parent teacher organization & Building Leadership Team – Diversity development
YWCA Stepping Stones program (sexual assault support counseling) - served as sexual assault counseling and first responder, sexual assault medical advocate and annual fundraising steering committee
Pathways to Success Conference - planning committee in multiple capacities over the years.
YWCA Women of Distinction Planning Committee
McLean County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) court appointed advocate and advisory counsel
LP Academy advisory counsel

Awards and Recognition

2009 Selected as a Top 5 Finalist for the Most Innovative Organizer Award from NAPO-LA.

2009 Selected as a Small Business Center Adviser by Bizymoms.com

2009 Appointed to AboutOne Advisory Board

2009 Certified iPEP Specialist

2008 Asked to serve on the strategy team for the Central Illinois build for ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition

2008 Platinum & Premium Author by EvanCarmichael - Entrepreneur Resource
2008 Selected as a Expert by SelfGrowth.com

2008 Selected as a National Spotlight Member by the National Association of Women Business Owners

2008 Selected as Stacks And Stacks author for Clutter Control Freak Blog

2007 Appointed to the NEAT Receipts Consumer Advisory Board

2007 Central Illinois 40 Leaders Under 40 Award

2007 Selected as OnlineOrganizing.com's exclusive author on paper and information management

2007 Appointed by the National Association of Professional Organizers as the new member online mentor

2007 Appointed to the Rolodex Expert Panel

2007 Identified as one of B2B Magazine’s Women to Watch

2007 Pantagraph 20 Leaders Under 40 Award

2007 Pioneer Award by the National Association of Women Business Owners

2007 Selected as expert author for the Advisors Circle

2007 Certified Paper Tiger Productivity Institute Consultant

2006 Calahan Solutions Selected as Finalist for BBB's Torch Award for Ethical Excellence

2005 McLean County Chamber of Commerce's New Member of the Month

2005-2007 OnlineOrganizing.com's preferred consultant for the Peoria area and McLean County

2005 Certificate of Achievement from the McLean County Board of Health for her significant contributions to Achieving Public Health Goals

Education

Continuous development is built into the framework of Calahan Solutions, Inc. “The more we know, the better we can serve our clients!” Stephanie has earned the following professional certificates:

Paper Tiger Authorized Consultant - Paper Tiger Productivity Institute & Monticello Corporation

Productive Environment Process Certified - Hemphill Productivity Institute

Basic ADD Issues with the CD Client - NSGCD Certificate of Study

Basic Hoarding Issues with the CD Client - NSGCD Certificate of Study

Basic Mental Health Conditions & Challenges Affecting the CD Client - NSGCD Certificate of Study

Basic Physical Conditions Affecting the CD Client - NSGCD Certificate of Study

CD Client Administration - NSGCD Certificate of Study

Chronic Disorganization - NSGCD Certificate of Study

Learning Styles and Modalities - NSGCD Certificate of Study

Understanding the Needs of the Elderly CD Client - NSGCD Certificate of Study

Understanding the Needs of the Student Client - NSGCD Certificate of Study

Appreciating and Valuing Differences - Diversity - Train the Trainer Graduate - HEW

Project Management & Leadership Program Train the Trainer Graduate - HEW

Project Management Learning Program Graduate - HEW

Degrees from Illinois State University's honors department—Management Information Systems and Human Resource Management

More than You Might Ever Want to Know

Here is a listing of questions that Stephanie has been asked over the years and her responses.

Fact	Steph Says:
She has been performing almost since birth	I have been a life-long performer. My first time on stage in front of 100s of people occurred when I was 4 years old. Back then, I was cute in a little red tulle skirt and tap shoes... I would not dream of an outfit like that now! Since then, I have been involved in theatre, singing, orchestras, etc.
Oldest of 3 children	I grew up with 2 younger brothers. They would torment me just like most younger brothers! Of course, I did my share of older sister stuff too. I love them very much and we are good friends now.
Fabulous Parents	I am so fortunate. My parents were very focused on helping the 3 of us grow up to be self-sustaining, considerate adults. They are still together and are great examples of what a loving relationship looks like. I have learned so much from them.
Grew up in Central IL in small communities	I lived in 2 different small communities growing up. Both places had caring neighbors and great schools. I was raised, not only by my parents, but a number of other great adults. I learned what community felt like.
First job was door-to-door sales	When I was in 2nd or 3rd grade, I spent summers going door-to-door selling holiday greeting cards. Things were a lot safer then! I used the money to buy Christmas presents for friends and family. At the time, I really enjoyed going to people's homes and helping them figure out what design they liked the most. I had this huge book that I would lug around with samples. I learned a lot! I did not want to sell door-to-door for a living! Riding a bike with a heavy book makes it hard to balance without falling a lot. If I was to sell in the future, I should pick a product that is not seasonal. Be dependable - if you say you will be somewhere - be there. Love what you do and if you don't, stop doing it! (I have used this one a few times over the course of my career.)
Sang since birth	Well, ok, maybe not since birth, but I started singing at a very early age. Music was in our family all of the time and if there were words, I learned them. In grade school and high school I was in every choir but the boy's choir. My favorites were jazz choir and Madrigals. They were very different in style and purpose, but I loved it! I also took private voice lessons in college and got great scores on juries even though I was not a music major.
Played a number of instruments starting in 5th grade	I actually started instrument lessons before 5th grade. I took piano lessons for a number of years. I never became very good at that instrument though. I'm kind of sad about that because it could have led to hours of entertainment as I got older, but I was just not into it. I also learned to play a recorder in probably 1st grade, but there is only so much you can do with a plastic instrument. I can still play "Green sleeves" on it though! I started band in 5th grade as a French Horn player. My dad was my 5th grade band instructor! I played this horn all the way through to my second year in college. It is a really beautiful sounding horn. Over the years I have also played a melaphone, trumpet, xylophone, and marimba. I was in marching band, concert band, symphonic winds and winter drum line.
Loved working the drive-through at Dairy Queen	I started working at DQ when I was 15. My biggest goal was to work to being the main person on the drive-through. The place was always packed and the drive-through always had a line. They put their best person in that position every shift. The owner of our DQ was very particular about the cleanliness of the store. I was really proud that the place sparkled when we left for the night. I mean, really sparkled! I learned great customer service skills and how to work with people that were different from me. Oh, and I did get that drive-through position and worked it for a number of years!
Not very athletic but tries!	I started dance lessons and tumbling when I was quite young. I was pretty good, but did not think so. I also played volleyball in junior high and some in high school, but I was not good. My brothers got the athletic ability - Mom was a P. E. teacher!
Worked on an "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" Project	In 2008 I was asked to be on the strategy team for the Central Illinois build. It was a life changing experience. I'll tell you about over coffee and pie sometime, or you can check out my facebook page for pictures.
Most life changing moment was birth of son	I have had so many amazing moments in my life, but by far the birth of my son was the most life changing. I fell in love with him before he was even born. He is my buddy and I enjoy every new thing he learns and every new challenge that he brings our way.
She is goofy (sometimes)	My son tells me I'm silly all of the time! We laugh a lot. It may be dancing in the middle of the family room, or having a tickle fight or making up goofy stories. Life cannot be serious all of the time. Life is meant to be lived!
Danny is her constant companion	"Daniel Alexander" (named by my son) is our Havanese puppy. Danny goes with me almost everywhere. He is a good friend and somehow knows what I need. When I'm not feeling well, he just sits next to me, but when I'm being silly, he is right there goofing with us. He is cuddled right next to me as I answer these questions.