When Business Slows Down, Repair Your Nets

There's an old saying: "When fishermen cannot go to sea, they repair nets."

The wisdom runs deep. When waters are too rough to fish, wise fishermen don't sit idly waiting for the storm to pass. They prepare. They fix what's worn, sharpen their tools, and strengthen what they'll need when the seas calm again.

For notaries, the same principle applies.

There will be seasons when business slows—when appointments aren't flooding your inbox, your phone stays quiet, and income dips. The temptation is to worry, freeze, or simply wait it out. But smart notaries know the pause isn't wasted time. It's preparation time. Your opportunity to mend the nets of your business.

Sharpen Your Technical Skills

When you're running from one signing to the next, there's little time to deepen your expertise. Slow seasons offer the perfect moment to focus on mastery.

Review your state's notary handbook and revisit sections you rarely use. Take a course on trusts,...

Are You Prepared?  What if...?

Life throws us curveballs. Whether it's a sudden change in plans, a new opportunity, or an unforeseen challenge, the question isn’t if it will happen—but when. The better question becomes: Are you prepared?

Preparation isn't just about supplies or skills—it’s a mindset. A mindset that says, “Whatever comes my way, I’ve already decided how I’ll handle it.” That may look like having a backup plan, a guiding philosophy, or a resilient attitude. Preparation minimizes the stress and struggle of decision fatigue when the unexpected hits.

Let’s explore how being prepared shows up in different areas of your work—and your life.

1. Creating the Day: Starting with Intention

The way we begin our day shapes how we interact with the world.

I like to begin my mornings with a reading from Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations. One passage stands out:

“You will meet people who are meddling, ungrateful, arrogant, dishonest, jealous, and surly… But I have seen the beauty ...

I am back, with what I hope are helpful steps to confirm with your signer either after you accepted the job from the hiring company or when it is direct with the signer.

Last week I gave you a list of questions I suggested you use before saying yes to the job to ensure it is the right one for you.  You cannot rely that the Title Co or Signing Service has already asked and verified everything is good for you to notarize.  So, when you make your confirmation call with the signer consider the following questions.

Questions for the Signers:

1. Do they have valid ID?
   It's crucial to ensure compliance with state requirements. Be specific—ask for a state driver's license, non-driver ID, or US passport or whatever is on your list of acceptable IDs.

2. Will all required signers be present?
   This prevents unnecessary second trips.

3. Are witnesses needed?
   In states like Florida or Georgia, witnesses are required on Deeds, so if witnesses are required, can the signers arrange them? If not, yo

   ...

Let's talk about being confident before you go to the job site.  I mean "Know Before You Go"

There has been a small uptick in Loan Signing appointments and for some of us, it has been a minute since we got these calls.  It is not enough to get the call, we need to accept the right jobs for our business, and feel confident we will get paid after it is completed. 

As a notary, I thrive on handling assignments that are efficient and lead to successful outcomes. One of the keys to achieving this is knowing potential pitfalls before I even step out the door. Here’s a comprehensive guide to the essential questions to ask before your notary signing, tailored to different types of services.  If you have others, I would love you to share with me!

Real Estate Closings: The Essential Questions

When it comes to real estate closings, I typically ask a series of questions twice—first for the hiring party and then for the signers.

Questions for the Hiring Party:

1. When is the appointment?
   Knowin
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