The Power of Letting Go

In the heart of Queens, where culture and hustle intersect, a woman who understands the beauty of letting go was born and raised. Lisa Garcia, Haitian American, professional organizer, registered nurse, and a lifelong student of change has built her life around a philosophy that’s as simple as it is transformative: less is more.

Raised in Hollis by a single mother who was both an immigrant and entrepreneur, Lisa learned early that work could be purpose, not just survival. “I believe in curating your life and not letting society dictate your time,” she says. Independence was never an act of rebellion for her; it was inheritance.

Lisa’s business, MinimaLisa, is more than an organizing service, it’s a form of healing. She helps people declutter their homes, but also their habits, histories, and the emotional weight behind them. “I help people identify how their past experiences, beliefs, and habits contribute to excess and disorganization,” she explains. “Then, guide them to reframe how they think about their things.” What she’s really doing is helping people see that self-awareness and simplicity often live in the same room.

The idea to start her business took root after loss. In 2020, Lisa’s mother passed away, her children were grown, and for the first time in decades, she found herself with an empty space. That silence became the soil for something new. “I started thinking about what I could do to help others,” she remembers. “After helping three people on three very different organizing projects, I knew this was something I could do and do well.” By May 2021, MinimaLisaNYC was born.

But what sets Lisa apart isn’t just her skill for creating order and decluttering, it’s her commitment to community. Every month, her team hosts giveaways at a community garden in Springfield Gardens, Queens, ensuring that items her clients no longer need will find new homes. “One of the biggest barriers to decluttering is people’s concerns about what will happen to their unneeded things. Included in my service offerings is the promise that our team will find new homes for the items that are no longer useful to them but may be of use to others. 

Nothing of value is discarded.” she insists. Through partnerships with the NYPD Community Affairs, Department of Corrections, SEQ Clean Up, and local domestic violence support groups, Lisa has turned decluttering into redistribution — an act of care that extends far beyond the home.

“The smiles on kids’ faces when they get new clothes or toys,” she says, “or when a mom tells me that our giveaways help her manage her family’s needs — that’s what giving back feels like.”

Lisa’s work is rooted in empathy and something she’s cultivated through her own challenges. Caring for her sick mother for 20 years while raising two children alone taught her resilience, but also balance.

“Self care is not a luxury”

she says softly. “It’s a necessity. To care for others, we must first care for ourselves.”

Her advice to new entrepreneurs is grounded and direct: “Figure out what you’re good at that’s of service and adds value to people’s lives. Create a professional team — lawyer, accountant, mentor, assistant and hire Layer One to create your brand and website.” (Thanks Lisa!) It’s that signature mix of humor, humility, and wisdom that makes Lisa magnetic. She has the kind of energy that invites both reflection and action.

When asked what she’s learned in business, she offered a story about compassion over productivity. A client once asked to simply “hang out and talk” during an organizing session. Lisa felt unsure about this and pushed to continue organizing. The client never followed up afterwards. “In hindsight,” she admits, “I should have recognized that she was overwhelmed and just needed to connect. Sometimes we need to know when to lead and when to follow.”

At 52, Lisa radiates peace earned through evolution. Her pitbull Melo keeps her company on long walks; the gym keeps her grounded. She doesn’t love to cook, but she loves to eat and her favorite color is pink.

In a city that never stops accumulating stuff sometimes in the form of stress or loss, Lisa Garcia stands as a reminder that abundance isn’t about more. It’s about meaning.