How My Notary Side Hustle Became Full-Time Business.

Summary

The author transitioned from a human resource assistant to a successful full-time Notary Public and Notary Signing Agent over 17 years, turning a side hustle into a lucrative business.

Abstract

The author's career path took an unexpected turn when their side job as a Notary Public evolved into a thriving full-time business. Initially, the notary role was a requirement for their job at a school, which the school funded. However, the author later discovered the potential for higher earnings by collaborating with lenders and title companies nationwide, significantly surpassing the standard state-set fees. After training with the National Notary Association to become a Notary Signing Agent, the author left their school job and embraced the solopreneur lifestyle. Despite facing challenges such as a mortgage crisis, the author has consistently returned to their notary business, valuing the flexibility and fulfillment it provides.

Opinions

The author views their notary side hustle as a "saving grace career" that offered a way out of job burnout and the traditional 9-5 work life.
They express skepticism initially about the potential profitability of becoming a Notary Signing Agent but were pleasantly surprised by the lucrative opportunities it presented.
The author emphasizes the importance of the notary role, considering it a public service that most people will require at some point in their lives.
They acknowledge the cyclical nature of the mortgage and real estate markets and the need to adapt to economic fluctuations.
The author values reader engagement and invites feedback, indicating a willingness to share more about their professional journey and side hustles.
They encourage readers to support Medium writers by subscribing to the platform, highlighting the mutual benefits of such a community.

How My Notary Side Hustle Became Full-Time Business.

My journey to becoming a solopreneur was becoming a Notary Public and Notary Signing Agent. At one time or another, it's been my easy money side hustle, my full-time lucrative business, and my saving grace career for over 17 years.

AbobeStock — notarizing a document

When I first became a notary, it was for my “real job” as a human resource assistant at a school. My job required it, so the school paid for my state's notary commission. I notarized teaching permits and whatever the school needed to have that office notarial seal on it. Little did I know this would become my sole bread and butter two years later.

A notary public is a public servant. We attest and witness signatures and make sure the signer has been properly identified. Most people will need one eventually in their lifetime. Notaries usually get paid by the number of signatures needing notarized on the document. The fee is set by the state. In Michigan, it’s $10. Sometimes we don’t charge at all. I know you’re thinking, how can that be lucrative? Well, it is when you start working with lenders and title companies all over the country, and they definitely pay you more than $10 bucks.

The NNA (National Notary Association) reached out to me to attend training in my state to become a Notary Signing Agent(NSA). You must be a notary first to become an NSA. There were thousands of notaries back in 2004 but very few NSAs back then. I was skeptical, but I took the bait to see what it was all about, and within two years, I quit my job at the school and started my notary business full-time. There are a lot more steps involved in becoming an NSA and much more detail in working it as a business than just a side hustle.

It was a Godsend because I was becoming burnt out. I was working full time and doing my notary side hustle after work. Working 8 to 4 and then doing loan signings after work, sometimes 6 days a week. I needed to do something different, and so I started my official solopreneur business journey as a full-time notary signing agent in 2006. It was my ticket to work at home freedom, and I found it to be the most rewarding career for me.

There have been a few ups and downs, but I weathered the storm, including a two-and-a-half-year nationwide mortgage crisis. I knew this would be an issue going forward because the mortgage and real estate markets fluctuate based on whether the economy is good or bad; high or low-interest rates, etc.

I’ve had to go back into the “9–5 grind” a few times but I’ve always had my notary business to come back to.

Thanks for reading. Let me know your thoughts. I’ll be sharing more about my notary life, business journey, and other side hustles I’ve had.

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