Stretch to Win or Refuse to Fail: Two Mindsets for Notary Success

We are in a turbulent time. Are you second-guessing yourself as to what mindset will work best now? As a notary entrepreneur, success often depends on your mindset. Are you stretching to win, pushing boundaries to achieve new levels of success? Or are you refusing to fail, doing everything possible to stay afloat and overcome obstacles? While both mindsets have their place, they require different strategies. Understanding when to apply each can be the key to long-term growth and stability in your business.

Stretching to Win: The Growth-Oriented Mindset

Stretching to win means going beyond your comfort zone, taking strategic risks, and actively seeking opportunities to expand your notary business. This mindset is about playing to win rather than playing not to lose. Here are strategies I employ to win.

Strategies for Stretching to Win:

1. Set Ambitious Goals: Instead of settling for a steady stream of signings, aim to
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It is 2025, and you may have felt an uptick in Loan Signings at the end of 2024! As a Notary entrepreneur, I have many specialties, including Loan Signings. I always keep my credentials current for real estate loan signings as they are part of a stable and sustainable business.

I hope this message finds you well! We are crucial in ensuring smooth and successful loan signing transactions. To help you navigate the process from acceptance to invoicing, I've compiled 10 key steps to enhance your efficiency and professionalism in managing loan signings.

1. Accept the Right Assignments

• Fit Your Business Plan: Only take on assignments that align with your skills and availability.

• Undisclosed Work: Be clear on additional tasks like scanning back or same-day drops.

• Safety First: Choose locations that are safe and accessible.

It is important to remember not every assignment is your assignment.  Be sure you understand the scope of work required vs. the payment agreed to. Onc...

Celebrating 21 Years of Grit: Lessons from Building a Notary Business

This January marks 21 years since I began my journey as a notary public. Mobile notaries were a small profession when I started, and the road to building a sustainable business was far from clear. Looking back, I can see that grit—the passion and perseverance to keep going despite setbacks—was the key ingredient that got me here.

From assignments that went sideways to uncooperative facilities and misinformed signers, I’ve faced more challenges than I can count. Yet, each one taught me invaluable lessons and helped shape the business I proudly celebrate today.

The Challenges That Built My Grit

Unpredictable Assignments

Early on, I took on signings in assisted living facilities and hospitals. These settings often came with complications—unprepared signers, misunderstandings about what notaries can and cannot do, and the occasional attempt to renegotiate fees after I’d arrived.

I learned that preparation was my ...

Reintroducing TNT: Where It Began and Where It’s Headed

Have you ever wondered how Tuesday Notary Titans (TNT) got started or how it’s evolved over the years? As we prepare to relaunch for 2025, I wanted to share its journey, its impact, and what exciting updates you can expect moving forward.

How It All Began

Almost seven years ago, TNT started as a collaboration between Carol Ray, and Bill Soroka. Back then, it was called the Breakfast Club, and I was relatively unknown outside of California and the National Notary Association (NNA). The opportunity to co-host this call, answer notary questions from across the country, and provide micro-lessons helped me grow alongside the audience.

Working with Carol Ray was a turning point in my career. She was the first speaker at my in-person Notary Symposium in Modesto, CA, and she encouraged me to formalize my coaching practice. It was her invitation to join the Breakfast Club that truly expanded my reach and impact in the notary world.  It...

The Duty of a Notary: More Than Just a Job—It's a Responsibility that takes grit and Integrity.

As notaries public, we hold a unique and vital position in the legal and business world. Our role, often perceived as straightforward-witnessing signatures, administering oaths, and verifying completeness, is, in fact, a complex and crucial duty. We meet our mission each time we execute our notary certificates correctly and fully complete the task of verifying that the right person is signing the documents. It's about fulfilling a fiduciary duty to the people we serve.

Duty: Not What Everyone Else Does, But What We Are Obligated to Do

Our duty as notaries is to adhere to our professional and legal obligations. This sets us apart from the average person—it's our commitment to a higher standard of Integrity and responsibility. Being a notary means stepping up to a level of responsibility beyond simple honesty. It requires us to act with Integrity, fairness, and transparency, not just when i...