Downsizing Diva Dufferin-Caledon taken over by new owner

By ALYSSA PARKHILL

Local Journalism

Initiative Reporter

Downsizing and moving specialists for seniors, Downsizing Diva Dufferin-Caledon, has announced Lisa Jackson as the new owner for this territory.

Lisa took over the ownership of Downsizing Diva Dufferin-Caledon this year after previous owner Brenda Alderdice retired after building a successful business for almost 10 years.

Lisa says she was thrilled to purchase an already existing company so the transition could be seamless.

She was ready to become a business owner herself and says she welcomes the challenge. 

Downsizing Diva was developed by entrepreneurs Gail Shields and Karen Shinn over 25 years ago to help seniors and their families reduce the stress of downsizing and moving. The company began franchising 10 years ago and have franchisees across the GTA with plans to grow across Canada.

The Divas are extensively trained as senior move management specialists and look after every detail from start to finish.

Jackson began conversations of taking over the ownership this past July, when she began her research of the company, including who they are and what they do. She later shadowed some of the many projects to see firsthand the difference the “Divas” make.

Lisa liked the idea of being part of a franchise of like-minded women that all have the same passion to assist seniors through a very stressful time. 

After losing her brother back in 2019, Jackson felt the stress of dealing with his estate and organizing his belongings out of his home in Kingston first hand, on top of the emotional stress of losing a loved one. “We had to do some renovations in the house to make it sellable, dealing with lawyers, real estate, bankers and together mourning his loss” she explained. “But I thought, it's almost impossible to deal with all this on my own.”

This personal situation really motivated Lisa to appreciate a service such as Downsizing Diva has to offer.

A friend mentioned Downsizing Diva and Lisa loved the idea of helping those who had the same experience.

“Now I can help other people through my experience, being able to understand when you're in that predicament. I knew I had to do it,” said Jackson.

Just recently, a client who has fallen into the same situation as Jackson reached out to Downsizing Diva and Lisa was able to see the overwhelming relief when she explained the services she could provide.

With the large population of seniors in the Dufferin-Caledon community, services provided by Downsizing Diva come highly recommended. Lisa stresses it is important to come up with a plan and think about moving when you can move, not when you need to move. 

Acquiring all of Brenda's well-trained employees was instrumental in continuing all the services in a seamless manner. Lisa's DIVA team takes care of the front-line work, sorting with the clients for keep, donation and/or sale. It is important to Lisa that her clients are the decision-makers at all times. 

“Move day is exciting since all the details are taken care of including complete unpack, making the bed and setting up the kitchen and bathroom. We really go out of our way to leave them very comfortable in their new home” said Jackson. 

Although the COVID-19 pandemic has its challenges with many businesses, Downsizing Diva is considered an essential service and continues their services while following very strict protocol from head office wearing the necessary personal protective equipment (PPE). 

“Depending on the size of the project, we are limiting the number of employees working in one area at a time. Most of the time, it does not take more than three of us. Instead of working on one room at a time together and getting it done, we each take a different room or a different section of the house so we can concentrate our time separately.” said Jackson.

Lisa resides in Orangeville and is excited to serve the community in which she lives.

For more information on Downsizing Diva services please visit www.downsizingdiva.com  orcontact Lisa at lisa@downsizingdiva.com or 416-818-8249.