Downsizing Diva opens new franchises in Mississauga

At age 91, Mayor Hazel McCallion is the right age to hire Downsizing Diva, but she says she's not ready yet. Downsizing Diva is a company that specializes in helping seniors, well, downsize. Often it's to move into a smaller home or condo, but just as often it's to deal with all the stuff accumulated over decades in the same house.

Carol Southcombe is the latest Downsizing Diva franchisee in Mississauga. After 38 years in the corporate world of pharmaceuticals, she opened the new franchise in January and celebrated its official opening, complete with the mayor and others on hand, today.

Her territory is north of Burnhamthorpe Rd., while Evelyn Thoy, who opened up shop last November, has the franchise for south Mississauga.

The ribbon cutting was held at That Franchise Group Inc., on Finfar Crt. The corporation houses four other franchises in addition to Downsizing Diva.

Southcombe said she and her cohorts can de-clutter, organize and even stage a house that's being put up for sale. Those are all services seniors might require.

"Kids often don't live close or they're too busy with their lives to help," said Southcombe. "The job can seem overwhelming to seniors."

Before she did her franchise training, Southcombe had downsized her mother and other family members. And having her daughter, Rebecca Potvin, join her in the business was a plus. Thoy, meanwhile, has been wearing her purple feather boa, the franchise trademark, with pride since late last fall. The average age of her clients is early 80s.

She said the task can be challenging, but the "divas" make it easier. "We have the patience to listen to their stories as we sort through things," she said. "We advise people to start de-cluttering now before they become ill, when they can make decisions. We jump into panic and rush situations all the time, but it's easier for seniors to make decisions when they're healthy."

Both women say sensitivity, training and sometimes comedy make the process easier for clients. Otto Sugiharto, 79, and his wife, Susie, called Southcombe when they needed help with their east Mississauga home.

"We lived in our house over 30 years," said Sugiharto. "We had lots of junk, but don't have the strength to deal with it. The ladies made it much easier — they know how to dispose of everything." While McCallion said she wasn't planning to move, she accepted a brochure and talked about the demographic changes that make a business like Downsizing Diva desirable for Mississauga.

"I have no doubt you're going to be a success," she said. "The demand is out there and it's growing as the population ages."

Gail Shields and Karen Shinn, the original Downsizing Diva franchise owners, were on hand today as well. They still operate their business in Toronto and North York. After almost a decade in the business, Shields says she leaves the heavy lifting to others, but still enjoys working with seniors.