Downsizing Doesn’t Need To Be a Downer

The name, Marco Downsizing Solutions, fails to capture the tremendous impact the business can have on the lives of its clients. In fact, Kathleen Stoller could legitimately add “difference maker” to the list of services she offers through her company. 

Now in its second year of operation, the business specializes in establishing order out of disorder for clients in the Marco-Naples area with a broad range of services. Aside from downsizing, those services include: 

• Working with realtors to make homes market-ready by decluttering and organizing.
• Decluttering and organizing rooms and spaces.
• Moving, moving prep and full-move management.
• Packing and unpacking.
• Estate, storage unit, and garage clean out.
• Prep for home construction and renovation.
• Organizing items to keep, sell, donate, or remove.
• Coordinating removal and donation of unwanted items.

Marco Downsizing Solutions is a one-woman operation with a business approach that stresses not just completing projects effectively and efficiently but also the human element. 

“We don't just provide a service,” said Stoller. “We create a personal experience. I want to focus on the personal, the one-on-one. For the most part, that’s just who I am and the work ethic that my parents ingrained in me. I love meeting people, hearing their stories, and helping them. No two jobs are ever the same. I don’t like leaving loose ends. I always want to follow up and make sure everything is okay.”

Sara Wesche credited her with more than fulfilling that goal when it came to helping prepare her mother’s house to be sold after she passed away last year. She said Stoller’s assistance was invaluable in saving her and her brothers from making repeated trips to Marco from their homes in Michigan to handle the matter.

“She took care of everything and did it with such care and compassion,” said Wesche. “I haven't met her in person and yet she feels like a friend. She made probably the hardest time in my life that much easier. I'm forever grateful for that.”

Stoller handled packing and shipping, and she was even able to find financially and physically challenged recipients for the mother’s two motorized scooters. Wesche said the home was being sold as semi-furnished, and Stoller maintained regular communications via phone, email, and text, including updates on the staging process’ progress with detailed photos. 

“I can’t overstate how invaluable her help was for my brothers and me,” she added. “There are no words for how thoughtful and caring she was throughout the entire process.”

Stoller handles small and not-so-small jobs, usually working by herself. However, she will also bring in people to assist, but only when necessary. Remaining a solo operation is important to her, as is ensuring that site visits are as low-key as possible for clients. 

“I want to keep my business small enough that I am always the one they are speaking to,” she said. “I’m always the one that shows up at the door. I know a lot of people can be overwhelmed by a crew of strangers coming into their home and dispersing into every room.”

Jeff Barron said Stoller’s assistance was invaluable during January when he and his wife, who has dementia, were preparing to sell their home as part of packing up and moving to metro-Pittsburgh to be near their daughter and her family. She was recommended by the couple’s real estate agent. 

He described Stoller as “a natural at what she’s doing” because she’s very calm and measured, and very helpful and very supportive.

“One of the things that Kathleen did that was so wonderful is she helped my wife go through all of her costume jewelry,” he added. She went through all the jewelry that my wife had accumulated over many years and helped pack that up. The two of them worked doing that while I was schlepping boxes and packing this and that. Kathleen also helped package artwork, photographs, and stuff like that. She was just a wonderful help and was wonderful with my wife.”

For more information, please visit Marcomovemanagers.com, email Kathleen Stoller at 

marcoislanddownsizingsolutions@gmail.com or call her at 508-344-1146.