From Autism Diagnosis To Successful Decluttering Business – In Two Years
Two years ago, Kent Police Chief Inspector Alex Tyler was diagnosed with autism – after taking a test to prove a colleague wrong and show that she didn’t have it.
Initially, the unexpected diagnosis turned her world upside down, but out of those early dark days, Alex, now 41, decided to do something more productive with the news than feel sorry for herself and let it hold her back.
Her super-organisational skills and pragmatic approach – which had made her colleague wonder if she was autistic in the first place, are now the ‘superpowers’ she uses to work a full time police job and manage a growing, innovative business.
Clutter-b-gone was initially set up as a professional organising company working with private clients, including helping hoarders.
But an approach from a charity has led the business in a commercial direction. And now their contracts are with housing associations, more charities, and councils – whose tenants and service users need help and support to live more healthily, plus make their homes accessible for maintenance, often prevented when homes are disorganised or the homeowner is overwhelmed with what’s needed to declutter, get organised or stay tidy.
In two years, the team, which has grown to 12, has worked on more than 1,000 properties, plus on the staff, is a trained counsellor – because underneath a hoarder is often a psychological issue that needs professional care, understanding and support.
Alex said: “Each of our clients is different and needs a different level of care and approach. For example, we would never send more than two staff to the home of an autistic client because we know more than that would not work for them.
“The business has been built very quickly – and that’s the autism…I think of an idea and it’s done very fast, because that’s how I work.
“There’s lots going on and we have some ambitious plans, including looking for collaborations in other industries such as pest control, but our focus will always be on client care – looking after people and helping them to live in a home that’s decluttered, clean, tidy and healthy. Sometimes, with a bit of professional help, people can achieve this.”
Innovation and environment drive Alex forward and this year, she’s introduced more green initiatives into their daily work including products and biodegradable bin bags, plus changed their vehicle fleet to electric.
They’ve also just taken on a lease of their first premises at the Aja Business Suite in Rochester and celebrated wins at several business awards, including two Kent Business Awards and runner-up at the 2025 Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce business awards in the Most Promising New Business category.
In 2026, Alex will be launching a Virtual Reality training platform, to help train other professionals to support someone to declutter – because simply throwing everything away isn’t the compassionate or effective solution.