Posted by BrendaTX on 6/4/05 7:49pm
Msg #42400

Let's talk about Mentors and Mentoring...

Please post here and say what it is you think a mentor should/could do for you...it could be that you already know more than you think...or you may have the wrong idea about what a mentor can do for you. I'd like to know what is expected from new 'uns who want mentors.

It never crossed my mind to look for a mentor, so I am curious why you feel it's important to find one.

Feel free to post anonymously to this post and just lay it all out there.
- - - - - - - - -
Mentor or not, YOU personally need to be/do the following:

(1) be a good notary

(2) market yourself

- - - - - - - -

I started 18 months ago and I did not have a mentor, phone number, course from NNA...but I did have a background in legal, mortage, title, and lots of years snuggled up with a notary seal.

The signing agent thing fit my background, I got busy and crunched numbers, decided if it was viable...but I had zero formal NSA training.

Maybe you don't need a mentor as much as you think you do. Let's hear what you expect from a mentor...it could be you just need to learn your notary skills/rules, read this forum, and work on your business planning skills.

Reply by CAtitlegal on 6/4/05 9:11pm
Msg #42409

What a good topic and post. Like you, I have a long background in legal, notary, and title insurance (sans the mortgage experience). I thought this would be a good fit for me as a second income with the idea that if it took off, a good way to supplement life after retirement.

Before my first signing, I had a seasoned escrow pro walk me through the process. Even with all my experience handling many of these documents and transactions on a daily basis, I was intimidated. I wasn't familiar with some of the lender disclosures and what to say about them and mostly "how" to say it.

If I had a mentor, I would have asked for help in the 'how' part - like - what's the best way to explain the paperwork? What's easy to understand language for the borrowers/buyers? do you have a drill that you use on each and every signing? do you give a little speech at the beginning to introduce yourself? I would have liked to sit through a signing and listen for how each document is introduced, listen for easy to understand phrases, etc. in order to have the signing go smooth.

For me, the training was there (and supplemented), marketing is no problem, notary skills established. I just didn't know how to "run" a signing and a mentor would have been really helpful.

Reply by BrendaTX on 6/5/05 6:17am
Msg #42446

*what's the best way to explain the paperwork?*

That's what my question would have been.

Two answers for this one...

(1) Buy the training manual at http://www.SigningRegistry.info - that's what I did.

(2) I have a new person (paralegal) in Houston who considers me her mentor-- I had no idea. She has emailed me with specific questions like: "Do I need a website/suggest a hosting service/where should I get business cards?/How do I charge? " over the past few months.

We were going to meet for breakfast at a mid-point in Houston on Saturday. As things turned out, she got a job from a settlement firm to do a job in one of my covered counties, and no...she did not undercut me. She charged a fair price. That's worth helping someone in this case, for certain. Also, when she cancelled breakfast, I was able to spend my morning getting car maintenance done and took a signing yesterday afternoon.

Those who consider me a mentor have been at least 2.5 hours away, and they have also been as far away as Indiana, California and Florida. One thing I have been happy to do is to go over the NSA's first package with them to tell them what *I* say about each document.

One guy called me from four hours away. He was ex-military and very nervous. I told him "Man, you have been in charge of ranks of people. Just go in there and take charge." He did and he's doing great now.

People who consider me a mentor have not done a ride along, but felt that by talking through their first package it was helpful.

Reply by BrendaTX on 6/5/05 8:27am
Msg #42454

correction...

We were going to meet for breakfast at a mid-point in Houston on Saturday.

SHD BE:

We were going to meet for breakfast at a mid-point in Huntsville on Saturday.

Not in Houston. Houston's about 90 miles away. Huntsville is only about 40.

Reply by Susan Axelrod on 6/4/05 9:14pm
Msg #42410

Perhaps they simply want to observe for a moment, to get a feel for the profession. To each his or her own, if one feels they would like a mentor, why not allow them to do so. I recently assisted someone who ask for help, it was a delightful experience for us both. I hope to know and communicate with this person for years to come. It's a gentle gesture to help someone asking for assistance.

Reply by hcampers/fl on 6/4/05 10:30pm
Msg #42421

I guess being new to the Signing Agent biz....I would say a mentor to me would be someone I could ask questions of. Someone I could meet face to face and get a read on how to "do" a signing. Someone I can get advice from by picking up my phone and making a local call. Someone I can share my stories with that will say if it is normal or not. Someone that will share thier stories with me so I can try not to make the same mistakes.

Things I don't think a mentor needs to do:
1. I don't think a mentor should share there client list with me.
2. I don't think a mentor should teach me how to set up my filing system/invoices etc.
3. I don't think a mentor should have me ride around while they are trying to do the job that they are getting paid for.
4. I don't think a mentor should tell me all the good websites that they have accumulated over thier years of experience.

Finally I understand that no one want to "train" thier competion. But guess what... I will be your competion anyway. I will muddle through this web-site and others. I will keep training and taking classes to learn more about this business. I will find some of the people out there who are willing to help someone new. I will be appreciative and respectful of thier experience and thier willingness to share it with a stranger. Someone that they have talked with on a web-site or over the phone.

When the day comes that I have learned enough to help someone else, I will because I have been helped myself.

Thank you to all that have helped me!

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 6/4/05 10:44pm
Msg #42425

Re: Let's talk about Mentors and Mentoring... -Beverly

I think you have my number Beverly. You can call me any time with questions.

Reply by hcampers/fl on 6/4/05 10:50pm
Msg #42426

Re: Let's talk about Mentors and Mentoring... -Beverly

Sylvia you are one of the ones that I was refering to that has helped me. There are others. Ernest/ct that called me on my cell phone when I couldn't get my printer to print properly. Dawn that has always listened and tried to walk me through when I needed it.
Thanks everyone.

Reply by HisHughness on 6/4/05 11:14pm
Msg #42431

Re: Let's talk about Mentors and Mentoring... -Beverly

Maybe it is time to point out something here.

Sylvia is not your typical signing agent who is scrambling to earn a living. First, it's quite easy for her to help out an SA in Sacremento. That's 3,000 miles from where she earns her living. I don't have much of a problem with the dea of helping train a notary in North Dakota, either; it's unlikely they'll be taking any business from me on the shores of Lake Austin. I'm not going to do it, because I don't think this forum is best-suited for training, but if somebody else wants to do it, hey, go to it.

Secondly, Sylvia runs a signing service. She can train a notary in her very own ZIP Code -- hell, even in her own block -- and what she has done is simply enlarge her pool of trained notaries for her signing service.

Thirdly, as Sylvia herself has pointed out, she wants to do only X number of closings each week, and then she wants to be home with her ever-loving. She has signing agents for the ones she passes up.

Let's not use Sylvia as the benchmark for how signing agents on this forum should handle entreaties from tenderfoot signing agents. Because Sylvia is willing to help doesn't mean she is a saint and the rest of us are sinners. Her situation is totally different from most of us.

And for those of you such as the starry-eyed and naive Susan Axelrod who are prepared to offer "a gentle gesture to help someone asking for assistance," and thus give their competition the keys to the vault: Wait a few years, and when you need five closings a week to survive, and you're getting only four because your "gentle gesture" is now getting six as a result of charging 20 percent less than you, THEN look down your holier than thou noses at those of us who run businesses as businesses, not charities. Except that at that point the view from the bridge may be a little skewed, because your nose is really out of joint at how your "gentle gesture" has been repaid.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 6/5/05 12:14am
Msg #42439

Re: Let's talk about Mentors and Mentoring... -Beverly

Hugh
Long before I had my signing service I was mentoring other signing agents - even in my own backyard.
When I get a signing I am not able to do myself, I like to be able to recommend someone that I know will do a good job for the company (I pass their names on to the company, they don't do the signing for my signing agency - unless it is a title company I am a signing agency for)

I have never been worried about competition, I was established before this area was flooded with signing agents, and the only companies I have lost to the "competition" are the $50 companies that I won't work for.

Reply by HisHughness on 6/5/05 12:41am
Msg #42442

Re: Let's talk about Mentors and Mentoring... -Beverly

Sylvia responds:

***I have never been worried about competition, I was established before this area was flooded with signing agents, and the only companies I have lost to the "competition" are the $50 companies that I won't work for.***

Which, of course, is a fourth way you are distinguished from the vast majority of signing agents who frequent this board. You were established before the NNA began mass manufacturing competition. An enviable position to be in, and one that certainly gives you a comfort zone, but not one that applies to most of the people that Susan Axelrod was implicitly criticizing when she praised her own "gentle gestures" toward neophyte agents.

Given my druthers, Sylvia, I would prefer that your generous assistance be confined to Floridians and not be dispensed to beginning agents in my neighborhood.

Reply by BrendaTX on 6/5/05 6:26am
Msg #42447

Hugh...to be fair...

Hugh was there for me when I called him out of the blue from College Station regarding an identity issue. We are about 100 miles apart.

Later, he did take issue when he read my coverage area and it overlapped and he called me a poacher. I explained to him some of my marketing theories regarding more hits, and the ability to quote a price that would not undercut him, but also being able to refer him if I got a call for his area.

And, that's when we got started talking about the Texas NSA Network that we both promote. Hugh has been a huge boon to me in getting started in that once we established issues of professionalism and gained the other's confidence in our abilities we began to refer each client back and forth to the other...if I have a good client, Hugh knows about it...and if he has a good one, I know about it.

We have become very good NSA friends through this and I owe him a tremendous amount for helping me in this business....we don't always see eye to eye, but I owe him a great deal.

Reply by Susan Axelrod on 6/5/05 10:54am
Msg #42479

Re: To my dear Hugh.....

Starry-eyed and naive, perhaps you have confused me with another, giving the keys to the vault (I think not). Not that I need to explain myself but since you used my name in your e-mail, allow me to help you get a more clear view my dear. My gentle gestures will continue simply because I feel no competition in my area or in this business. First let me say my gentle gesture was offered to someone approximately 50 miles from me, she is not my competition she is a peer, a friend, a human being, with a question. If I felt I could offer her assistance, I wanted to. Many folks that enter the message board, exit as swiftly as they enter due in part I suspect to some rude behaviors and comments. Life its simply too short to spend a lot of time on the message board, helpful as it may be at times. I really do have more to do with my time and feel it can be more positively impacted if I don't allow myself to get involved in the nonsense that can continue for days with shall we say tit for tat responses. I sometimes look on the board purely for entertainment purposes and who may be trashing who.
I do not rely on my notary work for a solid income (of course this will too get many negative responses). I enjoy the work and meeting many interesting folks, in fact, met the nicest couple Saturday night. It would be nice to be able to make a steady income from this profession, however in CA and my area it simply isn't a realistic expectation for me for a number of reasons. I have invested my time in another profession that I'm tied into. There may be what Hugh perhaps would call competition in my area, however again we don't see this as competition but a person we know that when one simply can't take a call for a signing, we can refer and ask if they can do the signing, sometimes they can, other times they are busy. I like the feeling of being able to offer the signing service another name in my area. Hugh it's not the end of my world if I don't get the five signings in a week to survive that you mentioned. When I entered this business I clearly understood this would not FOR ME being a reliable income and I was ok with that. This in part is why I feel no competition from others. Lastly I work very hard to not allow myself to let my nose get out of joint (AS YOU SUGGESTED). I used to be that way but learned many years ago, its a waste of my time and energy. Hugh, one gets back what they give.......I don't expect to be paid for a kind gesture. So starry eyed as you suggest I may be, I sleep well at night and do so enjoy the simpliest things in life, such as the quiet of the forest, the chatter of wildlife with my morning cup of java. So I will continue to be naive in my little world. Now I suspect you will have a long drawn out response to this, as will the other usual suspects, making fun of me as you all do others. But I do wish you continued success in your business, not that you need it, you clearly do well but perhaps your personal life is lacking a tad more happiness, so I wish you a fabulous day and great happiness.
And I'm armed and prepared for your tongue lashing......

Reply by CAtitlegal on 6/5/05 12:15pm
Msg #42493

Re: To my dear Hugh.....

Hi Susan - hows the view over the lake this morning? A very nice lady points out here that there's lots of viewpoints on how each wants to run his or her own business and how they view their 'territory'. Knowing well where she lives...I just wish I could be so "starry eyed". Susan, can I rent a room from you?


The original post was...

***Please post here and say what it is you think a mentor should/could do for you***

Interesting how quickly things go sideways.

Reply by ERNA_CA on 6/5/05 12:31pm
Msg #42495

Re: To my dear????Hugh.....

"Starry eyed"
A kind and gentle person is often perceived as being weak, mistake made by many that have not found the strength to keep positive and gentle in face of it all. Some never find the way to such balance, but go through life kicking and screaming at everyone around them.
Yes sideways in deed, from mentor to starry eyed to renting a room is quit a stretch.

Reply by BrendaTX on 6/5/05 12:43pm
Msg #42496

Clumsy wording...

***Please post here and say what it is you think a mentor should/could do for you***

I have done a clumsy job of bringing this out, but one of the points of my post was:

1) "Mentoring" may not be the big job it sounds like. And, on the other hand,

2) A true "mentor" may not be what is really needed.

To me, "mentoring" is a huge commitment in the true sense of the word. I have mentored only one agent to the point I felt I had actually "mentored."

Imagine my surprise as I find out according to several signing agents that I have mentored them. All they really needed were a few pointers. That's why the dialogue about this.

When someone asks me a question I can answer via email, I will shoot it back to them faster than lightening. However, I cannot answer the questions like "tell me how to get started" except to point them to #33325 which was put together with the help of others so that it would be there for posterity. And, I also have gathered material on how I got started to share on a blog for both inspections and for signings. This info is in my profile.

I'd suggest that rather than post a question which asks for mentoring--as mentoring may be the term which puts people off ... perhaps a new SA could really benefit by reading the board and figuring out who knows what's up.

Next, when they have specific questions or get their first assignment, send an email to one of those and ask if when the package comes, can they place a call to get help from that person. Usually, people just call me out of the blue.

I met a possible distant relative like this (we have not done our family tree just yet) but he called me out of the blue and now we email back and forth...really, all he wanted was just to talk through the package. He is a ret'd / police dept. in CA -- I like him a lot.

The NNA has probably made the "mentoring" part seem like it's more necessary than it really is.

And, since the word "mentor" is used, it may come off as a very in depth and timely commitment that others cannot commit to help with.

Once a new agent gets past that first signing, they don't need much more help--helping someone get started once they have read the boards is not that hard.

But, no matter what, if a new person the next county over wants help and is reading here...well, I'd rather know who I am helping and will request a phone number and an email for the questions I get like: I'd like a list of the companies you do business with who pay more than $100.

That's the only way I see I can avoid hurting myself while helping them in specific ways. I am just not going to shoot myself in the foot. There is not enough business for me to be frivilous. God blesses me/us for giving, but I personally believe He also expects us to use a little wisdom about throwing around our "pearls."

I actually do depend on my business for an income. This is not pocket money for me. It's something I have been blessed with and I am going to be careful to take care of it.

Reply by CAtitlegal on 6/5/05 1:28pm
Msg #42505

Re: Clumsy wording...not at all

Brenda I think you're wording/topic was clear, and really helpful for me to come to a conclusion where I stood on this and helpful for anyone new who wanted a mentor. Here's where I stand on this the concept of mentoring:

It would have been lovely, if someone had taken my hand, and told me - free - how to do this. But, I've been in business for myself before and really 'get it' when it comes to competition. I think the business of becoming a SA should be for those with some experience and understanding of the overall business of lending/real estate before they jump in. I for one would refuse to mentor someone that had been slinging burgers before attempting to be a SA. However, if someone who had a background in this (eg. real estate, title, escrow, lending, legal) I would do it PROVIDED (1) they were some distance from me and it wouldn't hurt me in the future and (2) It was convenient for me, and (3) I wanted to.

My thought with how things veer off topic on a message board was because I thinks it's interesting how someone starts off with a good thought, or post, then somehow (because were all human) careens off like a train wreck to making fun of someone who simply has a different point of view, then that person having to defend themselves.

Such is the nature of the boards - if you don't state very carefully what your position is, or have a prior rep of where you stand on something, (or being hysterically funny, like His Hughness) you can be mis-understood. Then - whammo! Verbal war. I speak from experience by getting blasted myself a time or two. I know and like Susan Axelrod - a sweetheart, who happens to be an ex-neighbor of mine, in a area of the world that's simply gorgeous. She is as generous as her post states.

That's it for my ramblings Have a great Sunday, all!

Reply by Susan Axelrod on 6/5/05 1:37pm
Msg #42507

Re: Clumsy wording...not at all...Thank you to CATITLE

Thank you for your kind words, imagine I was almost and I do mean almost (not) going to let Hugh's last posting ruin my day. Not a chance, I simply consider the source.
I have a new name- St. Susan, thanks Hugh I think I like that.

Reply by Susan Axelrod on 6/5/05 1:22pm
Msg #42504

Re: To my dear Hugh.....YES YES DO VISIT, ANYTIME.

Actually my entire bottom level is indeed itching for a visitor, you are welcome anytime. The room is done in ivy (green and white), the only area I may decorate with my love of flowers. You may rest and view the lake on your private deck, enter and exit unbenounced to us from your own driveway. You have an open invite 24-7. We stay on the level entry, everything is more mountainy on this level, my life is shared with the hubby, it couldn't be too fem.

Reply by Susan Axelrod on 6/5/05 1:46pm
Msg #42509

Re: To my dear Hugh.....YES YES DO VISIT, ANYTIME.Correction

My invite was to Ca title......

Reply by CAtitlegal on 6/5/05 1:47pm
Msg #42510

Re: To my dear Hugh.....YES YES DO VISIT, ANYTIME.Correction

..sniff (drying my tears). Thank you. How about next weekend??????

Reply by Susan Axelrod on 6/5/05 1:49pm
Msg #42511

Re: To my dear Hugh.....YES YES DO VISIT, ANYTIME.Correction

yes, anytime

Reply by HisHughness on 6/5/05 2:00pm
Msg #42513

Re: To my dear Hugh.....YES YES DO VISIT, ANYTIME.Correction

First, St. Susan (ask, and ye shall receive) says, in apparent response to an earlier post by me:

***Re: To my dear Hugh.....YES YES DO VISIT, ANYTIME.
Actually my entire bottom level is indeed itching for a visitor, you are welcome anytime... You have an open invite 24-7.***

Then she posts:

***Correction. My invite was to Ca title......***

Lucy the Chihuahua and I were already packing our bags. Before I just felt ignored. Now I feel ignored and unloved.

Reply by Susan Axelrod on 6/5/05 2:05pm
Msg #42515

Re: To my dear Hugh.....YES YES DO VISIT, ANYTIME.Correction

Yes, "ye shall receive" feelings of being ignored and unloved, hummmmm WONDER WHY?

Reply by CaliNotary on 6/5/05 2:05pm
Msg #42516

You can stay with me Hugh

I've got a Chihuahua mix who will just love Lucy and my queen sized bed is more than big enough for two. After one night you definitely won't feel ignored or unloved.

Reply by HisHughness on 6/5/05 2:27pm
Msg #42522

Re: You can stay with me Hugh

CaliNotary coyly bids:

***I've got a Chihuahua mix who will just love Lucy and my queen sized bed is more than big enough for two. After one night you definitely won't feel ignored or unloved.***

Cali!!! Careful there. All of my feelers for widows with liquor stores and bass boats have gone for naught. It's getting to the point where I might seriously consider expanding the field.

Reply by CAtitlegal on 6/5/05 2:07pm
Msg #42518

Re: To my dear Hugh.....ocean breeze?

Never ignored! and not unloved (you keep me in stitches, most of the time). However, hands off my room at Lake Arrowhead.

Reply by HisHughness on 6/5/05 12:49pm
Msg #42499

Re: To my dear Hugh.....

To my dearest Susan Axelrod, whose "gentle gestures" probably are making the wheels come off for someone else:

Lawyers, doctors, engineers, architects, dentists, CPAs and other certified professions all help newcomers to the ranks become better professionals. But there is a big difference between those professionals and the signing agent. Each one of them is certified as presumptively competent in his field. As far as I know, none of the 50 states provides such certification for signing agents. In Texas, if you are not a convicted felon, you can become a signing agent tomorrow, just by becoming a notary public, and not even know how to spell dedexxxx deedexxx deadxxxx -- well, you know what I mean. To assist someone who is already a practicing and presumably competent signing agent -- which I think is the role of this board and which I think all of us should do -- is a far different matter than grabbing an incompetent, albeit perhaps trainable, notary public by the nape of the neck and turning him into a shell that calls itself a signing agent. Those who sanctimoniously hold themselves out as the finest examplars of the species by making such "gentle gestures" may stroke their egos by so doing, but they do not help the profession by such "gentle " but misguided "gestures." Nor is the fact that the benefit of such "gentle" largesse is 50 miles away a rationale that justifies such "gestures." Ask the signing agent who lives next door to the neophyte how HE feels about you generating HIS competition.

I do this part time. I'm retired, and have other sources of income. Further, most of the clientele I work for, as in Sylvia's case, probably isn't going to go to a $50 greenhorn. But because I would be minimally impacted by competition, doesn't mean that I should not be sensitive to the needs of fellow signing agents who depend heavily on their closings revenue. I owe the existing members of this profession a helluva lot more than I do somebody who just got their stamp and is looking to make $100,000 a year -- much of it by taking business away from people who have been doing it a while.

You aren't St. Susan because of your allegedly "gentle gestures"; canonization will have to wait. You are instead part of a problem that has negatively impacted this profession more and more in the past two years. You are reminiscent of the person who makes the "gentle gesture" of feeding feral cats; sure makes the person feel good, and they thump their chest in self-induced satisfaction. Then the feral cats bestir themselves from under the porch and go and kill all the songbirds.

Reply by BrendaTX on 6/5/05 1:04pm
Msg #42502

To MY dear Hugh...

I just sent you an email. Let me divert your attention from this thread and engage you in the fine art of helping one of our Texas NSA Members collect from Houston Notary Services. She is owed $850 +/- and another is owed $150.00. I have abandoned the housework for now as we must engage the wheels of justice for one of our own. (whew...that was close).

Reply by CarolynCO on 6/5/05 2:29pm
Msg #42523

Re: Why continue accepting signings?

*She is owed $850 +/- *

This is definitely more than one or two signings. Why would anyone continue doing signings for a particular SS when it's obvious that after $300-$400, they aren't going to get paid, or if they do, it won't be immediately or even 30 days after a signing?

Reply by BrendaTX on 6/5/05 2:54pm
Msg #42525

Re: Why continue accepting signings?

Her business model is different than the avg. There are three agents and they each took three assignments...that's the basics of it...the company she runs has paid her other two notaries who work directly for her. This happened in 45 days...not over a long haul. I suspect she's learned a very good lesson which in the past has not been necessary.

It's like family, Carolyn, I don't care how it got that way...she's in our Network group, she is loyal...she promotes the rest of us and we are going to help her get it made right if we possibly can.

Reply by CarolynCO on 6/5/05 2:58pm
Msg #42526

Re: Why continue accepting signings?

I'm not scolding you for trying to make it right. I'm just always curious why anyone would continue accepting signings and allowing a SS to get deeper and deeper into debt with them.

Reply by BrendaTX on 6/5/05 3:03pm
Msg #42528

Re: Why continue accepting signings?

I agree that it's really ridiculous to get yourself into it this deep with an SS, and that's why I posted this about HNS...I have been on the receiving end and believe you me, these folks are good and convincing about trying to get you to take more. No scolding noted.

Reply by HisHughness on 6/5/05 3:08pm
Msg #42529

Re: Why continue accepting signings?

Brenda explains:

***It's like family, Carolyn, I don't care how it got that way...she's in our Network group, she is loyal...she promotes the rest of us and we are going to help her get it made right if we possibly can.***

That's right, Carolyn. And, like family, when the money finally comes, we're going to fight like hell over it.

Reply by BrendaTX on 6/5/05 3:11pm
Msg #42530

Re: Why continue accepting signings?

Shut up, Cousin Hugh. What goes on in the family, stays in the family. Alright??

Reply by ERNA_CA on 6/5/05 1:05pm
Msg #42503

Re: To my dear Hugh.....thought it was mentoring????

Yet again the subject and headline magically changed. Its just to predictable on here.

Reply by CaliNotary on 6/5/05 1:57pm
Msg #42512

Re: To my dear Hugh.....thought it was mentoring????

What is that supposed to mean? Hugh didn't change the subject line, nor did he change the topic of discussion. And there's nothing wrong with changing the subject line in the context of a thread, people do it all the time, including YOU in this very response.

Reply by CaliNotary on 6/5/05 2:02pm
Msg #42514

Re: To my dear Hugh.....

I think you're fighting a lost cause with this one Hugh. Susan is not the type to truly care about her results of her actions. As long as she looks good on the surface that's all she needs.

But I agree with everything you said and I hope a few of the misguided but well meaning mentor wannabes in here take heed.

Reply by Paul2/FL on 6/4/05 10:55pm
Msg #42428

I agree with everything hcamper/fl said. Couldn't have said it any better. There are some SA's on this forum that are, or would, make great mentors. Such as; PAW and Sylvia. I can only hope that some day I'll be knowledgeable enough like them to be a mentor to a SA in need.

Reply by BrendaTX on 6/5/05 6:29am
Msg #42448

And, I have found that the expectations of mentors vary. That's why I started this thread.

There is a lady in Houston who will mentor at $45 per ride along. $25 per hour, or thereabouts. One of my "new 'uns" told me about it. She was located through

http://www.50statenotary.com

where there is a mentor list.

Reply by BrendaTX on 6/5/05 8:32am
Msg #42455

And, another mentor question...

What do you all think about this price range?

I think it's fine to offer this service for a fee, however, I'd call it consulting, not mentoring. But that's me splitting hairs on terms.

The main thing that new folks need to remember is don't take any advice from any source at face value to. To me, the only information worth considering as an absolute source is one based in cited law.

Reply by BrendaTX on 6/5/05 7:32am
Msg #42451

***But guess what... I will be your competion anyway. ***

Amen, Sister. And you are a competition worth fearing! With your "can do" attitude and determination, you'll do everything that needs to be done with or without help.

Sylvia helps me. I sent her a funky something the other day and said I thought I'd attach a Texas jurat to it. She wrote me back and said no...attach an ack. She was right, as always. The main thing is that when you are tired from doing signings, it's good to get a second opinion, and "tag" Sylvia was it that day. She'd do it for anyone...I try to reserve my limited resources for those who I "know" from conversting on the board or from emails... and I reserve time and more involvement with whom I can tell are going to make it.

One gal used to write me using a handle like "sickgal" and told me all her woes of hypochondria. I did not help her very much. Later, she got on here and fussed at Sylvia for telling her that she needed a laser printer - AFTER she asked if she needed a laser printer. My judgment was not off on that one.

Reply by Rickwca on 6/4/05 10:32pm
Msg #42423

Thank you for your comment, I feel we are all here to learn and help each other with questions

Reply by Anne_SoCA on 6/4/05 10:40pm
Msg #42424

When I first got my notary commission, took my signing agent class, got my certification etc, I was still a little intimidated to begin signings. I thought it would be nice to go on a few signings with someone more experienced, but I didn't think anyone would want to do that for me. I just wanted to see what it was like, observe how the notary handled questions and to just experience the whole process one time before jumping in.

Instead of finding a mentor, I asked my sister-in-law (who's a loan officer and is the one who suggested I do this line of work) to take me on one of her signings. She took me to an escrow office with her and let me watch the whole process. It wasn't as intimidating as I had imagined.

Even still, I felt a little scared about going on my own, then I got a call out of the blue from a SS who asked if I could do a signing the same day! I just gulped, said yes, and went ahead and did it (e-docs and all!). Luckily for me, the borrower was really nice (I didn't mention to her that it was my first signing!), and I did a good job. I missed filling out one form (Customer ID form), but I printed it, filled it out and sent it the next day. All in all, it went very well.

Anyway, as far as mentoring goes, I thought it would have been a help to me, just to get the feel of what it's like, but trial by fire is sometimes the best way!

Reply by ERNA_CA on 6/5/05 12:10pm
Msg #42491

Re: Let's talk about Mentors and Mentoring...Susan

I thank god every day for the gentle folks in this world, they make it all worth while.

Reply by Susan Axelrod on 6/5/05 1:41pm
Msg #42508

Re: Let's talk about Mentors and Mentoring...Susan

Thank you Erna_CA, we all should have a voice.

Reply by Sunny/CA on 6/4/05 11:17pm
Msg #42433

Many of these new notaries/ Signing Agents don't have your back ground. Now put yourself in their position without any of that knowledge. I'm sure this is totally foreign compared to what they had done before. I know it was for me. Thank goodness I had bought quite a few house so I had a little idea of what some of the documents were. I don't believe most of the new notaries are asking us to hold their hands, but they would like to have someone to call when a question comes up that they can't find an answer to process it. I'm sure they would feel better having one person that they know is not going to ridicule them, just because they don't have an answer to a question that seems obvious to others.

For those of you who would like to mentor, but don't want to mentor you competition you don't have to do that. I have mentored several notaries for years. One is in my county, about 100 miles away. Two others are in CA but, a great distance away. Two others are not even in my state. I have built lasting relationships with these people, only two have I met in person. I have unlimited toll on my phone, so it doesn't matter that they are not local. Many times they have faxed things to me to help them with and I check it and fax it back and call them regarding it.

Reply by John_NorCal on 6/5/05 12:22am
Msg #42441

As Hugh stated, everyone's situation is different, Sylvia_Fl for instance. I agree with Hugh that a person does not want to train their competition in their own back yard. Todays world is far different than it was in 1993 when I first started signing. At that time I happened to see an ad for a notary public in the newspaper. Never having seen an ad for a notary I called and found out they were looking for a person to handle loan signings. Having quite a bit of real estate experience, I signed up and conducted signings for a year or so. Never once was there a thought of a mentor.
Now we hanve an influx of "signing agents" through the marketing efforts of the NNA and companies with enticing ads promising $50,000 to $100,000 per year. Yet these people get their notary commissions, the get "certified", with no concept of what is involved in signings. So they look for a mentor. I don't really have a problem with that, just not in my back yard. Not to say I wouldn't help someone if I can, but I would not expect to have someone at my elbow learning the signing business only to become my future competition.
Therein lies the value of this forum. One can come here, ask intelligent questions and receive helpful, insightful answers from members of this forum. It's far easier to give some of the tricks of the trade to someone 1000 miles away instead of 1000 steps away.
To those looking for a mentor, I would suggest going through the posts on this board, ask intelligent questions not the basic "what is an acknowledgement" question. With all the help available from this board and other sources, I think a person can learn this business without having to ride with someone else.

Reply by BrendaTX on 6/5/05 7:05am
Msg #42449

**Now put yourself in their position without any of that knowledge. **

This is where I believe I differ in thinking that this position should automatically be considered as I consider it foolish to embark on a business where you don't have any experience or background and expect that someone with the background should naturally help you out.

I also think it is foolish to help your close competition get started as I have seen community economy, nest-egg businesses and friendships ruined by it. Yes...to each his own...no, I won't help someone in my backyard as it's just foolish business ***in my own experience and observations.***

Your "friends" will learn all they can from you and undercut you before you realize what happens. They won't survive either, but then you cannot get back what you had and everyone can lose out by not having your service available.

Here is a real life story about two of my friends. Jan (a hardworking, kind, single woman and mother) had a successful feedstore wherein she had learned the business by working there years before purchasing it from the original owner.

Jan made really good money buying and cracking and/or reselling pecans each fall. This was the cash flow she had to have at the end of the year.

Our other friend (Sheila) and her husband decided to open a hardware store when he retired early...this was after learning all she could from Jan while sitting at Jan's feedstore.

For years, we three gals met for diet cokes or winecoolers after I got off from work. We did this at Jan's feedstore. Little did Jan know that her hosting our winecooler breaks gave Sheila a "ride-along" to her own business's demise. Sheila was always asking Jan all about the pecan business, all about doing retail, all about her business methods.

Sheila and her husband took all they learned from Jan, a woman hoping to retire one day in her business, and put her out of business within two years...they gained the knowledge directly from Jan . . . the crowning blow was the pecan business.

She put up with them using her for getting their hardware store started, and she overcame the hit from their competition in the cross-over part of their retail business...but they ruined her in one fell swoop in the pecan business. They took away her bread and butter. That was the second year after they started the hardware store.

Jan's fall pecan business made the cash she needed each year to get through the end of the year. It put away college money, nest egg money and it paid bills that were drifting at 60 days from the tough summer months. Summer created a lull in her business from the lush feeder grass growing along the Brazos River...cattle don't need supplemental feed during the coastal summers. The feedstore business is slow during the summer and fall.

Sheila and her husband cut her throat on the pecans--AFTER friendship had taught them how Jan did things.

They did not care a fig for Jan or Jan's business...just getting their own business started. Well...as luck would have it, they also went out of business in year four. They did not have the established clientele that Jan did...but after they put her out of business, they ruined the small town's ability to provide feed , and then hardware by getting greedy and undercutting their competition then raising prices to put themselves out of business.

Now, that's real life. Sheila was a good person, but business is business. If you don't watch out for yourself, no one else will.

I won't train my competition and I'll stay here longer by not doing so. Competition can topple me, but it won't be by my own hand that it happens.

Reply by Sunny/CA on 6/5/05 9:54am
Msg #42464

Like I said, if you would like to mentor, but don't want to mentor you competition, mentor someone hundreds of miles away. Surely Texas is large enough for you to fine someone that is not your competition.

Why ask a question, if you want to respond negatively to people's answers. There is no right or wrong to this question, just someone beliefs in what they feel is right.

Reply by BrendaTx on 6/5/05 9:58am
Msg #42466

**Why ask a question, if you want to respond negatively to people's answers. There is no right or wrong to this question, just someone beliefs in what they feel is right. **

I am sorry you feel this way...Again, what I said was based on my own opinion/experience.

>>**Now put yourself in their position without any of that knowledge. **

>>This is where I believe I differ in thinking that this position should automatically be >>considered as I consider it foolish to embark on a business where you don't have any >>experience or background and expect that someone with the background should naturally >>help you out.

[snip].

Reply by BrendaTx on 6/5/05 10:07am
Msg #42469

**Surely Texas is large enough for you to fine someone that is not your competition. **

Please read Msg #42446

Reply by ERNA_CA on 6/5/05 11:08pm
Msg #42562

Re: Let's talk about Mentors and Mentoring...Synny

If you read the posts its quit obvious as usual, that if the self proclaimed (elite) on this board. Ask a question of each other or need a hand its considered the norm. They were the only ones apparently smart enough to embark on this business. Do i attach a Acknowledgment for instants is an exceptive question for them to ask. The treatment Susan received here today is just what they do to all others. Pompous self centered asses are every were and we have some of the worst on this board. I shiver when I read some of their posts, I would be ashamed to reveal to the world the fact that I was just full of my self. Must have something to do with the heat in Texas, only reason i can come up with. And the ones that back them up are just the folks you see follow whom ever makes the most noise.

Reply by CaliNotary on 6/5/05 2:12pm
Msg #42520

"Why ask a question, if you want to respond negatively to people's answers. There is no right or wrong to this question, just someone beliefs in what they feel is right."

You're criticizing Brenda for creating a topic of discussion on a discussion board? Good lord, people will really find any little excuse to call somebody "negative" on this board. It's really laughable.

Reply by Sunny on 6/5/05 8:20pm
Msg #42553

I'm not criticizing for creating a topic of discussion. I just didn't realize that gave the someone the right to bash people for answering it.

Reply by Paul2/FL on 6/5/05 10:03am
Msg #42468

Brenda, thank you for this story it really puts into perspective the nature of competition. In my previous career at a major company I had to deal with competition almost on a daily basis but it was never "personal" as you described in your last post.

I did a signing recently where the borrower was a ex-notary. She asked how she could get into this business because she needed something to supplement her income. I told her how I started and briefly the work involved. I gave her my phone number to contact me after she renews her notary and/or if she has any questions. I never gave a thought to the fact that she will be my competition! I just wanted to help her.

Reply by BrendaTx on 6/5/05 10:10am
Msg #42470

Paul2/FL...

I hoped that it was clear that I liked both women. Both women are good people. We should not be ignorant that this is a business.

Those getting insight from others should also recognize that the best place to get insight is not from one's competition.

Reply by Lorraine2/FL on 6/5/05 11:18am
Msg #42482

Re: Paul2/FL...

Brenda, thanks so much for the insight. Sylvia was my mentor from SR, and I do appreciate her assistance - even going in, it was not my intention to over-use her hospitality, and I hope that I did not do that.

Usually any questions that I've had that were not under time constraint I would either get through my Governor's manual (which I think is pretty good), the SOS office, or other research. I've posted a few questions on SR - and those folk that use that are very helpful. Paul was not my mentor, but he has certainly answered enough questions either directly or indirectly to qualify - thanks to you as well Paul.

It's funny, I've only recommended this industry to two people. 1 was a long time notary and friend who had just retired and moved further south. The other was a friend (that was struggling financially) and also lived in another county.

Neither of my friends were interested, but I told friend 1 in the presence of a work associate - who told her husband... and he has now gotten his Notary License, and is ready to go (in my county.) He wont be doing signings full time, and is on the other side of town, so I crossing my fingers that it wont impact me too much.

2nd case wasn't interested, but told her sister-n-law, who just happens to live in my neighborhood. So far she hasn't gotten her Notary License...but, may be still considering.

If either of these people asked for my help, I would probably respond. But, I can truly say that there was certainly a different "feel" to the gesture when the competition is so close to home.

Reply by Rickwca on 6/5/05 5:17pm
Msg #42541

Mentors

Thank you all for your insights. I have learned alot. I will always do that though this board