CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A new business called A Space for Kate is working to organize the Queen City with a special touch.
Kate Starensier, a 30-year-old who describes herself as high-functioning special needs, has always loved to organize.
“I like organizing because it makes me happy,” Kate said.
From her closet to her bookshelves to her drawers, everything has its place in her room.
Last month, Kate and her older sister Dana Starensier lost their mother to lung cancer. Dana was then faced with how to help Kate use her unique talent for organizing.
"I was sitting on my mom's bed two weeks after she passed and talking to her and asking her what I should do,” Dana said, “And I thought about Kate, who has always loved to organize, and would there be a space for her to do that."
The answer became a resounding “yes.” Kate posted her idea in a Facebook group online, and the customers started calling.
Dana and Kate created an organizing business called A Space for Kate as a way to turn messy “before” pictures into neat “after” pictures -- all while embracing special needs.
"This is bigger than just a business,” Dana said. “It's about recognizing what's different and not being afraid of it. But being open to it because it's probably going to offer something really good."
A Space for Kate can organize any area from closets to offices to pantries and everything in-between.
"It feels good. It just makes me happy cause they're my customers,” Kate said. “I want them to feel good. I want them to like it."
Dana and Kate said they hope the business can turn into a way to help other people with special needs embrace their unique gifts and talents.
"Kate has this special knack for it, and we need to be more open to those that are different and see the magic behind it,” Dana said. “And Kate is just pure magic."