ShelfGenie® Custom Shelving Simplifies Home Organization

Few would refute the axiom, “Tidy house, tidy mind.” Bringing such Zen simplicity to fruition, however, is another matter. While the percentage of people who work from home has retreated since the end of the pandemic, many Americans continue to embrace the wonder of the home office. The catch? More people puttering around the house equals more stuff, and more opportunities for chaos to arise.

ShelfGenie® President Tony Ditzler views it as a psychic battle between order and disorder. “When everything is within reach, homes run smoother,” he says. “Meals get made faster, routines feel lighter and daily frustration drops.”

Since 2000, ShelfGenie has worked with clients to declutter and prioritize efficiency. The brand builds custom pull-out shelving to reimagine pantries, cabinetry, under-sink storage and a wide array of usable space with the goal of streamlining and organization.

Custom shelving solutions

One of ShelfGenie’s strengths lies in its flexibility to reconfigure varied floor plans. An advanced 3D design tool allows clients to visualize the build before it begins. Expectations are made clear from the outset, delivering a solution that meets customers’ lifestyles and budget. “People want a home that supports their life, not one they have to work around,” says Ditzler. “We design for that by starting with how each household actually lives — daily routines, storage habits, mobility needs and the specific pain points in their space.”

The brand, which launched out of a garage in Richmond, Va., expanded to a franchise model in 2008, and now boasts nearly 300 locations in the U.S. and Canada. Understanding local community dynamics is paramount, and diversity among franchisees is a core principle. “Different backgrounds bring different lenses on leadership, customer experience, hiring and local marketing,” explains Ditzler. “That doesn’t dilute the system; it makes the system smarter.”

The brand’s emphasis on onboarding, training and adherence to a clear cultural framework also helps serve a diverse palette of employees.

“We make the business runnable, scalable and repeatable,” Ditzler explains. “Regardless of whether an owner comes from corporate leadership, the trades, military service or entrepreneurship for the first time.”

Franchise model and support

ShelfGenie also benefits as part of the Neighborly® umbrella — a home services franchisor with more than 30 affiliate brands and 5,000-plus franchisees. Partner firms such as Molly Maid, Mr. Appliance and Window Genie work together to collaborate and pursue cross-promotional opportunities whenever possible. “Neighborly invests in connection,” says Ditzler. “Events, webinars and forums across the network create real peer mentorship — owners learning from owners, leaders learning from leaders — accelerating growth and strengthening culture across diverse teams.”

Ultimately, ShelfGenie’s appeal — from the perspective of both customers and franchisees — is rooted in mindset. High achievers often point to a strict regimen of order and detail as a linchpin of their success. Ditzler encourages clients to embrace the broad, somewhat intangible rewards of a redesign. “When homeowners fix access and organization in one space, they immediately see how many other spaces could be easier, too,” he says.

“We’re not asking people to renovate their lives. We’re helping them reclaim the space they already own — room by room, need by need, at a pace that fits their household.”

• Three to four weeks of pre-training, eight days of in-person training and ongoing continuing education for franchisees.

• Original investment is $95,000 to $148,000; franchise fee is $69,500 depending on population of region; minimum net worth is $250,000.

Neighborly® is the world’s largest home services company, with a portfolio of trusted franchise brands designed to help homeowners repair, maintain and enhance their properties. As part of the Neighborly family, ShelfGenie® benefits from a proven franchise system, broad brand recognition and a network committed to delivering convenient, reliable service.