Meet Francesca Riso

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

Hi Francesca, we’d love to start by asking you about lessons learned. Is there a lesson you can share with us?
One of the most rewarding feelings in this life is that of sharing your gifts with others and watching it make a measurable difference in their life.
As I started and grew a business that involves making a direct impact on peoples lives and mental health it has become so abundantly clear that this is what we’re meant to do as people!
We are meant to share, inspire and assist one another in the ways that come naturally to each of us.
Was I meant to become an accountant?
Absolutely not, BUT I am so grateful for those who received and developed that skill set to best set me up for success!
The most important lesson I’ve learned is that lending my strengths to clients in need not only alleviates a mental road block for them, but provides me with so much reward for being able to facilitate that relief.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am proud to call myself a professional organizer! Although many days I do refer to my job title as ‘professional Tetris player’ and/or ‘space therapist.’
As the owner and lead organizer of my business, ‘Room for Space’ I operate with the mission to remind my clients that our headspace is connected to our home base.
By creating updated systems of organization that uniquely cater to each persons lifestyle and preferences I hope to open the door of sustainable functionality for them.
What sets us apart from other organizers?
When clients hire an organizer they are hiring more than a brand, and while that is absolutely important, what stands out is the organizers themselves.
With Room for Space you are inviting a non judgmental eye that is ready to listen, asses and reimagine your space to best serve you as the client.
Our lives are constantly shifting, and this business is here to support that evolution with systems that meet you wherever you are.

I attribute where I am today by making a solid decision. After years of pursuing performing, working in customer service and bartending I felt so lost on my journey.
What did I want? Who was I going to be? And How was I going to serve others?
Suddenly the lightbulb came on and I made the decision to pursue organization.
Well, hooray for decisions, but what then?
After all, many people don’t yet know this career exists, let alone to think to hire someone to perform this service.
Well, from there I called upon just about every friend and family member who would let me organize an area of their space (free of charge) to build my portfolio.
This choice filled me with purpose and that was beyond enough fuel for my fire.
From there I reached out to just about every organizing business in Southern California that was taking on employees.
Many no’s, but all it took was one yes!
An opportunity to freelance with a wonderful organizing business in Los Angeles called, ‘Clutter Healing.’
After several jobs assisting there I was connected with a chance to apply for employment with the organizing business, ‘Operation Organization.’
A dream come true at the time which taught me SO much about the organizing industry..
I would not be the organizer I am today without the experiences and lessons gained from my time working with Operation Organization.
As a business operating generally in LA area and myself being a resident of Santa Barbara I quickly became very well aquatinted with the sight of brake lights in front of me on the road.
But I will say it was worth every mile I’ve put on several cars since the start of working professionally in this field.
We are road warriors indeed, between consultations, product pick up, organizing sessions and donation drop offs. That is apart of the job and I wouldn’t trade any of it!

The reality here is that as an organizer I am working with the most unique variable out there, human beings!
Each day on the job is so completely different than the next and I absolutely adore that.
Accepting the fact that despite years of working in this field, there is always something new to learn and apply to improve upon next session.

My personal goal is to always leave behind the impression that I am so truly grateful to be able to call this my ‘job.’
I am lucky enough to be able to share my passion for organizing with clients every week and I always hope that inspires those who choose to work with us!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Oh gosh, what a fun question!
Well, of course we are driving up the coast to visit the stunning Santa Barbara.
Empanadas from ‘Buena Onda’ to snack on at Butterfly Beach and a delicious cocktail from ‘Santo Mezcal’ to close the day.
As we venture back down to the LA area I feel like everyone must take one grocery trip to Erewhon. If for nothing else just to people watch and grab at least a couple things from the prepared food section!
As an organizer I think of course would suggest we check out the Century City ‘Container Store’ location.
As a proud partner of their for the Oxnard location I am biased, BUT I will say the Century City has fabulous shopping and of course at Eataly.
Dinner at any of the Eataly restaurants is a must, followed by a bit of perusing of their market treats.
Next day I would suggest getting out hike on at Runyon Canyon and perhaps seeing a show at the Pantages theatre later that day.
Dinner at the Grove is a must, followed by a cocktail at the Bungalow in Santa Monica.
Shopping on Melrose Ave and workout class at Barry’s should round out this trip out as the very best!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Hands down, no questions asked I would like to dedicate this to my mother, Cathy.
Life is so funny in many ways, but one example being the moment of looking back and saying ‘yeah, Mom was right.’
I am so blessed to say both of my parents encouraged my gifts to sing and perform from essentially…birth.
That aside, mother truly did know best and in addition to encouraging my love for musical theatre, she continued to remind me of my ability to organize a space quite well.
Organizing has always been a form of therapy and release for me.
From a young age were I to feel frustrated, you would likely find me prying everything out from under the sink and setting it back in a systematic way.
Mom always noticed this and commented, “Francesca, you should DO this; pursue this!”
I would roll my eyes and reply, “Mom, this isn’t a job, I’m just…weird.”
Well, I wasn’t wrong on the weird part of course, but what I didn’t yet understand is that this therapy for me could make a big difference for others.
So, thank you Mom for having the wonder vision you did and for your encouragement.

Website: https://roomforspacesb.com/

Instagram: @theroomforspace

Facebook: @theroomforspace

Other: TikTok: Roomforspace

Image Credits
@maryvincentiphoto