We had the good fortune of connecting with Christina Popoola and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Christina, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
My primary inspiration for starting my own business was wanting to work for myself. I wanted to be able to set my own hours and have the flexibility to spend time with my children. When my husband and I started expanding our family, I told myself I would be present for my children. I also think that having something you can claim as your own is when you know you are successful. My parents were also part of my inspiration; they worked so hard to have their own businesses and both were successful at the many they opened. They set a great example for me by showing me how to trust the process.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Gettin Smart is an organizing business where I come to your space (e.g. your home or place of business) and create a functional and organized space. My goal is to help make your space as functional as possible. I want you to feel like you can be productive, creative, and feel relaxed in your space after I am done with it. I do that by getting to know my clients’ individual personalities, expectations, and intentions for the space I’m organizing. In addition to organizing the space, I often help clients declutter and determine what can be disposed, repurposed, or donated to charitable organizations. The process is extremely cathartic. For these reasons, no organizing job is the same and each client will feel a unique connection with the result.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
When my friends come into town, I always tell them that all we do in Houston is eat. Since I am working on living a plant-based lifestyle, I would take them to my favorite vegan spots (e.g. Houston Sauce Co., Green Seed Vegan, or Green Vegetarian Cuisine). I would also take them around the third ward area to show them the culture here in Houston. We would probably go to the Palm Center farmers market to support the local businesses and try to catch the Buy Black Marketplace at the Shrine of the Black Madonna. For the rest of their trip, we would probably hang out at my home and cook and enjoy each others’ company.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to thank my family and friends for their encouraging words and support for pursuing my dream. They have provided me with advice, connections, and even hired me as their organizer. This support has given me confidence and drives me to keep pursuing my dream.

Instagram: @gettinsmart
Other: pinterest: Gettin Smart

Image Credits
photos by Lavico Photography Monica Terry