by Jo Ann Nider
I’m Jo Ann Nider, and I have overcome numerous health obstacles while raising a beautiful family and being married to my husband for 31 years.
Before becoming a professional organizer and creator of home decor, I worked as a Law Office Manager and a Real Estate Broker. I launched my organizing business about 20 years ago, inspired by the need to maintain my own home and help other moms do the same. I quickly realized that organizing complemented my real estate career; I assisted clients in decluttering their homes for sale and helped buyers downsize as they transitioned to new chapters in their lives. When the real estate market declined, my professional organizing business began to flourish.
However, my real estate career and organizing business came to an abrupt halt in April 2018 after I suffered multiple medical episodes, including a heart attack and three strokes. These incidents made it difficult for me to continue to be onsite for every job, something my clients wanted, leading to a decline in business.
Feeling bored at home, I turned to Facebook, where I discovered a woman who upcycled furniture. I was captivated by her work, and after winning a contest, I received some accessories she had created. This led me to Chalk Couture, a direct sales company specializing in DIY decor. I ordered a kit and quickly became hooked. This new venture provided a creative outlet during my recovery from therapy, allowing me to maintain my passion for decor.
As I created decor for myself and friends, I realized I could help others enhance their homes as well. I started creating high-end DIY decor within my community. However, my health took a downturn, and after Thanksgiving 2018, I became severely fatigued. A visit to my doctor resulted in a diagnosis of extreme exhaustion, prompting further testing.
When the lab results returned, I discovered I had Multiple Myeloma. The news was devastating, and my husband and I sought immediate care from an oncologist. I faced countless rounds of chemotherapy, a stem cell transplant, and many side effects, leading to a lengthy recovery process that lasted nearly two years. During this time, I kept up with Chalk Couture but didn’t focus on building a team, as I needed a distraction from my reality.
Without reaching remission, I felt a constant sense of unease, having to monitor my health closely. I was unable to plan more than 90 days at a time due to constant labs and oncology appointments not knowing when I would go into a full relapse. In April 2022, I did relapse and required immediate treatment. The experience was grueling, and I spent more time in the hospital or at home in bed than anyone should have to endure in a lifetime. Yet, I tried to maintain positivity and creativity, even as I struggled.
After 6 years I knew it was time to start living again. I pulled out my craft supplies and began creating to relaunch "Jo Ann’s Creations".
I aligned myself with inspirational women and I will be an author for the first time with She Rises Studios in 2025. My professional organizing business is also being revamped to operate in an online space.
I’m excited and cannot wait to share what’s next on my journey. I call this next chapter "It's Time": time to live, time to thrive, time to move forward! Be sure to follow me on social media and sign up for my email list to live right alongside me as I embrace my best life.
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