Meet-a-Mom: Leigh Achenbach
She’s a new mom, a wife and the owner of Suddenly Simple Organizing. After a brief detour that took her and her Air Force husband to California, Murfreesboro resident (and native) Leigh Achenbach has a lot going on and she’s happy to share more about her life, her business and her favorite places in the Boro.
Who is your spouse and how long have you been together?
Joey is my husband. We met in 2014, got engaged in 2015, married on September 26, 2015. We just celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary.
You just had a new baby about six weeks ago!
Yes, a baby boy, Clark.
If you could sum up motherhood in one word, what would it be?
Overwhelming. To me, motherhood is overwhelming in the best way possible. Of course I feel overwhelmed with responsibilities and selflessness, but I also just have this sense of overwhelming joy and love that is different from anything I have ever experienced. Balancing life as a working mom has already proved to be challenging, but I’m figuring it out and learning how to balance both.
What has surprised you most about being a mom?
That I am capable of doing it. Ever since having Clark I have learned that I have more patience, love, and time than I ever knew I had. All this time before Clark, I was, apparently, spending way too much time sleeping and getting ready because now I get way less rest and get ready in half the amount of time and I’m doing just fine!
Tell us more about your organizing company.
I own a business called Suddenly Simple Organizing. I’ve been a Professional Organizer for about three and a half years and have owned Suddenly Simple for about a year and a half. We help clients declutter, simplify, and set up systems in their homes to stay organized.
How long have you lived in Murfreesboro?
I was born and raised in Murfreesboro. Went to college at MTSU. Never planned on leaving, but when I met Joey he was in the Air Force. After just three weeks of being married, he got stationed in Los Angeles. We lived in Marina del Rey, CA for two years as newlyweds. It was such a great adventure and we had the time of our lives. It was great for us as newlyweds to completely be on our own and just have each other to lean on. Our plan was always to move back to Tennessee once his two years in L.A.. were done. My entire family is here and I made Joey promise to bring me back home if we decided to go to L.A. He kept his promise! I am very close to my family and can’t imagine having a life and my own family far away from them. Tennessee will always be home to me.
How has this community been instrumental in getting you to where you are now?
This community has been so instrumental in getting me where I am now. Growing up here, I had so many people that helped make me who I am today. Obviously my family, but also employees at Old Fort, members of my church, teachers, coaches, and friends. Even in my business venture, MTSU and The TN Small Business Center helped me out so much in laying the groundwork for my business plan and getting started. The clients that have trusted me to be in their homes sorting through all of their personal belongings and helping them organize their lives have helped turn my entrepreneurial dreams into a reality. I love being able to work with the people of Murfreesboro and give back to families in my own hometown.
What do you enjoy doing around town?
I grew up in a golf family. My parents both worked for the City of Murfreesboro at Old Fort Golf Course. I played golf at MTSU and still compete in a few tournaments. I pretty much grew up at Old Fort – I was there just about every day. Golf has always been a big part of my life and I hope when Clark gets old enough he will want to play so we can enjoy it as a family.
Favorite local hot spots that you love or frequent?
You should see the way my eyes light up whenever someone mentions going to Donut Country for breakfast! There is no better donut that I’ve tried in all of America that compares to their double-dipped! Anytime I get to pick where we go out for dinner, it’s almost always Demos’. I can’t get enough of their sweet tea, bread, steak…pretty much everything!
My husband is really into movies and we love date nights at the new AMC Theater. We also love taking our dog Nala to the Greenway for walks along the river.
This is probably not considered a “hot spot”….but we love our church, The Experience Community Church
What’s one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
I hate cleaning. I’ve learned that organizing and cleaning are two completely different things. I tidy up my home daily because I can’t stand for things to be out of place or not put away, but actually cleaning the house is something I put off. If I could afford any luxury it would probably be to have someone come clean my house for me!