The Key People that Help My Business Succeed
Originally Posted 5/13/22
I do not often write about my notary business directly, but after being interviewed by Bill Soroka, I have been overwhelmed with questions about how my business succeeds. So today, I want to share one of the biggest keys to my success with you; the fantastic people in my life that have walked with me every step of my journey. These people are my mentors, teachers, friends, and family, who have contributed to my success in my short time as a Notary. Today I want to take the opportunity on this platform to brag about these beautiful and amazing people.
I am going to start with the one who started it all. The gatekeeper to my Notary career, and that is Bill Soroka. When I began my deep dive into YouTube to learn as much as possible about becoming a Notary, Bill was the first person I found. Since then, six years ago, Bill has become a YouTube icon, influencer, mentor, and friend. I have had the privilege of spending time with Bill one-on-one, on phone calls, via text, during our interview, TNT (which I will expound on in a minute), and even more. I value him very much in my life, and I know I wouldn’t be the Notary I am today without his incredible gift of knowledge, support, and care. So let me tell you a bit about this remarkable man. Bill is the founder of Notary Coach, the go-to place for anyone who wants to learn how to be a Notary and Signing Agent and succeed in that business and industry, no matter what the economy. Bill is also the instructor at the Sign and Thrive Notary course. He is a two-time best-selling author of the book “Sign and Thrive: How To Make Six Figures As A Mobile Notary and Loan Signing Agent.” He also co-authored “Super Charge Your Notary Business” with Sandra Long. He is one of the founders of TNT, Tuesday Notary Titans, a weekly zoom call with hundreds of Notaries from around the country. Bill Soroka and Laura Biewer answer Notary and Loan Signing questions for an hour. It's a fantastic platform.
Is that not enough? There is more. How this man does it all, I just couldn’t tell you. He is also the creator of a CRM Platform just for Notaries. T.O.M.M. It's an amazing app and is key to staying connected and growing my network. Check out the app through the Rapid Funnel Platform. He is also one of the founders of Notary Business Builders. This one is hard to explain because it's so much good stuff for our industry. This program includes the T.O.M.M CRM app and access to the training classes provided by most of the people I will introduce you to here today. It's a fantastic program. Bill also is the host and interviewer extraordinaire of the Sign and Thrive Podcast and the Side Hustle Lounge Podcast. He's giving away rich and valuable content for Notaries and Entrepreneurs, Solopreneurs, side hustle professionals, etc. I am so grateful for the unique relationship and mentorship Bill has offered me. He will always be the one who started it all for me.
Next - and boy, am I excited about this; the opportunity to write about her has been on my mind for years, and I am thrilled to introduce you to Laura Biewer.
Laura is who many of us call the G.O.A.T. If you aren’t familiar with it, it is an acronym for the Greatest Of All Time. I am thrilled to share why we all call her that. I need to take you back to when I first found Bill. It didn’t take long to bump into Laura in his orbit, and I am grateful. I think Laura and I officially met last year in Modesto. Finally, meeting her in person was like meeting an old friend. For years I had followed Laura on TNT and her website. I had a few calls with her that she offered everyone, and I attended her Notary Symposium the year before I became a Notary. Since then, we have met multiple times and had many phone conversations. She has just been an amazing resource, a compassionate leader, and a special human being.
Laura also has fantastic courses for Notaries and Loan Signing Agents. Laura’s specialty is training Notaries to make the most of Specialty Notary Work. ( Specialty Notary Work is Laura's word for General Notary Work.) Laura is also highly knowledgeable about multi-state Notary laws and rules and teaches state-specific classes monthly or quarterly. She is also a founder and instructor for NBB (Notary Business Builders). Many of Laura’s specialty classes and training are also available to NBB members, and it's worth checking them out. Laura also trains and proctors classes for new and renewing Notaries on behalf of the NNA (The National Notary Association). In addition to the above, she is a speaker for many different Notarial events and a leader among our industry leaders.
If you are interested in the Notary industry, I recommend purchasing Laura Biewer. I feel fortunate not to just call her mentor but also my friend. Her continued support is what helps me keep my head above water. When I get lost in the questions, the issues, the planning, and what to do next, she has a beautiful way of guiding me without making me feel incompetent. She is the Greatest Of All Time.
The app Clubhouse is where I first heard Judi Lawrence's name. I heard it was the “Queen of Apostilles, Judi Lawrence.” This woman is a spitfire; she has so much energy and is so much fun to be with.
Judi and I met via the internet. Clubhouse is like Zoom except without faces. No video, just voices. I have met multiple people that I now consider friends through this app, but Judi quickly became a friend/mentor. I use that term because I feel our friendship bloomed before I assigned her to a mentor role in my life. Judi specializes in Apostille work, has a training course for Apostille Agents, and teaches Notaries how to be notaries and Loan Signing Agents. She has also created a network of Apostilles so that Notaries from around the country can find an Apostille Agent near a Secretary of State's office and courier documents directly.
Judi is also a best-selling co-author of two industry books. The first co-authored with Daniel C. Lewis is “Make Your Business Our Business.” She co-authored the second book with another of my key people - Matt Miller. As far as I am concerned, this book is an Apostille Agent’s field guide, “The Apostille Agents Survival Guide.” At this book launch last year, I finally met a number of the people I am talking about today.
Judi Lawrence is the foremost authority in the world of Apostille Agents. Her training is top-tier. She's a fierce friend, ally, and mentor. My life and business are better because she is a part of Another fantastic mentor and friend made during my time on Clubhouse is the incomparable Matt Miller. This amazing man is a Notary, a Loan Signing Agent, and an Apostille Agent. He co-authors the best-selling book “The Apostille Agents’ Survivor Guide” with Judi Lawerence. Those things make him a fantastic leader and mentor in our industry. However, the platform on which he has made and continues to make the most significant impact is
The California League of Independent Notaries. Matt is the founder of this Notary advocacy group. He works diligently with the California Secretary of State and the California lawmakers to advocate for the benefit of California Notaries. He is remarkable in staying atop all upcoming and pending laws. He is responsible for participating in writing laws that are currently working their way through the judiciary process. He is a Notary rock star for California, and if you haven’t heard of him yet, I am honored to introduce him to you.
Like all my mentors, he never misses a phone call, even with all he has to do. This man has made me look good at a breakfast table with new Notaries. We had a legal question about the Notary industry, and I picked up my phone and called him. “Hey, Jen,” he answers as though we are long-time friends. Maybe not a long time, but most certainly friends. He's a trustworthy partner to the Notaries of our state, and he's never too big to sit down and chat. He is one of my favorite people, and I am grateful for the opportunity to be in his orbit.
I couldn’t write this post without including my amazing parents. Mike and Jeanette Derr. If you listened to my interview with Bill, you might have heard me make jabs at some of the things my parents have and haven't done in my Notary journey, but I would be remiss if I didn’t tell you how I couldn’t have done any of it without them. My dad was a State Farm Agent for forty-plus years, and my mom was a Corporate Accountant for thirty-plus years. They have a plethora of experience that has helped me in this new business and career. My dad and I talk about insurance all the time. Where to get my E&O, and if I should carry liability. My mom has helped me with my books and is the editor of my blog posts. Yes, she's even editing this one. Hi Mom. Love you. {Hey, Jen - love you back!}
Beyond the business side of helping me succeed, I couldn't do my job if they weren't there to help me get my son to and from school. Even handling getting him fed sometimes. I just couldn't do it without them. I am so grateful for their support and even their questions. They have always been there for me. As my biggest supporters and promoters, they have played a significant role in this career.
My in-laws, Keith and Ada Cooper, have also had a hand in helping me with my business by helping with our son’s coming and going. The grandparents have been a Godsend.
This handsome guy is my husband, Ben Cooper. I am writing this because we are about to celebrate our twentieth wedding anniversary. It has been quite a road with him, and I am grateful and blessed to have him staunchly in my corner. In the years leading up to my choosing to leap into this career, Ben spent many nights listening to me, talking through my concerns, excitement, plans, and dreams about this business. He has been beyond gracious with me. I realize there are so many new Notaries out there who don’t have a partner at home; the ability to work late at night or early in the morning only happens because I have a supportive and loving partner. I wouldn’t have had the courage to enter this new business and career without him. He is my hero, best friend, biggest supporter, and cheerleader. I couldn’t ask for more, though sometimes I do. Thank you, babe.
Many more people have significantly influenced my life and career, for one, Mark Wills of the Loan Signing System. I chose this training course because I liked Mark’s energy. During the time before I was commissioned and for the first half of my year as a Notary, Mark Wills was constantly cheering me on. He was one of the leaders in this industry that I could say was in my corner in the beginning. I couldn’t be more grateful for that time.
Newer influencers and mentors to have become a part of my successful journey include Jennifer Neitzel of the Signing Agent Marketing course. She is also a founding member of NBB and an instructor, and I have found her relationship-building classes excellent. I have also recently enjoyed her feedback on my new YouTube channel—my first video. I enjoyed getting to know her and growing that new relationship like I have enjoyed doing with others.
All of these amazing people have had some role in my early success. Some of these relationships continue to grow, and some were for a season. All of them have been a part of creating what I am and can offer today. I cannot stress enough how important it is to surround yourself with excellent industry leaders, professionals, family, and friends. We are not an island. We are designed for community and camaraderie; in any industry, you decide to enter, some have come before you. Seek out those willing to help guide you and hold you up when you feel you are tottering. You may have to go out and find them. When you do, invest. Invest in them. In turn, they will undoubtedly invest in you.
Thank you for taking the time to read this blog post. I am excited to introduce these amazing people and show you how they have played a part in my journey.
Till next time-
Jennifer Cooper- JKC Mobile Notary
