*** THEY TOO were once a "NEWBIE" *** These are words that we all have heard time and time again. Brenda posted this answer to a similar thread and mine follows hers:
From Brenda: Don't give up on your dream of having a business, but use your smarts to find a business that you know something about. IMHO, you came too late with too little to this one. Cut your losses and move on.
I.
I had a call from a woman who first called notaries in her area (DFW, Texas) for all the answers. They gave her some solid direction by telling her to start reading this board and to do internet research. Finally gave her a really straight answer "I am not the best one to ask, you are my competition." Then, they quit taking her calls because they realized she was not a self-starter and had this sense of entitlement that they should take half an hour from their work and focus on her needs. One of them told her to read my website and she found me and called. I told her the same about the others she had called and gave her all the info I give any "newbie" I have never heard of which is basically my contribution to message #33325, plus info on my inspection work which is in my newsletter blog and also in this board as well.
She read it and wrote back asking me questions that were already answered in the sources I gave her. I wrote her back and told her that it had taken me nearly two years to rise to the top of my heap without any direction except by taking an inventory of what I knew, therefore, that she should go back and read the info I had given her plus to expect the same (or longer) learning curve.
II.
I know a notary in another state who has started a totally unrelated business. She's doing her research on her new business and working night and day to get her business of the ground. She has studied, built a viable business plan, and even waited hours for an opportunity at the gates to visit key persons of a foreign embassy in her quest to start her business. That's the kind of determination you need to start a new business.
You don't get answers handed to you IF you are serious. If you want to get rich quick, find a wealthy relative and cozy up to them.
By the way, the total number of competitive businesses she has asked to mentor her or to train her is zero.
III.
Stop treating this like learning how to knit, cross stitch or run a hobby club. This is a business.
If you are in business, it implies you already know something about how to do the job.
If you are a newbie without experience or tight connections into mortgage, legal, title or real estate transactions...seriously...you have been scammed by your own laziness and unwillingness to crunch numbers, do research, develop a business plan and to establish a marketing plan.
Find something to do which you have a "bent" for. If you don't have some kind of background leading you into this business...wake up, folks. The refi boom is over. You will get nothing but the dregs and scraps of jobs that probably won't pay you.
AGAIN, I am not being a dream-stomper, or a negative person: Don't give up on your dream of having a business, but use your smarts to find a business that you know something about.
You came too late with too little to this one. Cut your losses and move on.
IV.
Here is an example of what you are doing:
I have never done windshield repair or state auto inspections. I see there is a lot of business here in town for that. I don't have a place to do this type of work. However, I hear the business is good. Today I think I will go around and ask the successful businesses if I can find out where I should locate my business for the best possible success...I want to find out how much they charge so I can be a little bit cheaper. I want them to tell me what business licenses I need, what regulations I need to learn, what state licenses I need. (If they gave me answers to these questions, WHY would I believe them???)
Oh yeah, and suppose they have a forum where these things are discussed online. I am too busy to read through their chatter...there's too much bull to wade through...surely they can just tell me exactly what I want to know, when I want to know it while I take notes. All the answers are there on that forum but it's too time consuming, you see. I am busy with other things. I want it given to me in a direct line at my convenience.
From Dorothy: If you are thinking about applying with a title company to do loan signings and you have not successful completed at LEAST 50 signings (100 is my recommendation) do yourself the biggest favor you could do and don't submit an application to these venues. Title companies are entirely UNFORGIVING if you make a mistake and if in conversation with them you don't sound like you know what you're talking about you will NEVER get work from them. There is a reason why we all have to learn to crawl before we walk and learn to walk before we can run. There are NO SHORTCUTS!!! Get much, much more knowledge and experience before you even attempt to get work from a title company. This is not that we don't want the competition, but that we don't want an unknowledgeble person literally ruining the business as a whole. Are you aware that there are several states that only attorneys can do closing in and we don't want this to spread to others because someone was looking for quick, easy money and really screwed something up, it got to court and then got the attention of the bar association and the states legislature and they decided to "protect" the public. Any of us who have been doing this profession (and it is a real profession and a real business) for any length of time whether we are doing it full time or as a dedicated part timer realizes this. Newbies come on this board and accuse us of being selfish all the time. It is not that, there are many on this board who will be glad to share information with anyone, but first you have to do your part and obtain as much information as you can on your own (that's the only true way any of us have of learning). Hugh, is one example (there are many others, of course) of someone who is extremely generous with his legal knowledge and shares it all the time. Just because you don't like the language it is couched in does not invalidate the knowledge itself!
This will probably stir up a hornet's nest from people reading this board who feel they have a sense of entitlement to be given "all" the answers and should only be spoken to with the kindest words and in the gentlest way so they can "feel" good. Remember back to our school days and the teachers we gained the most from were not always the most pleasant, the most fun, but the ones who were the real task masters and made us apply ourselves. The knowledge we acquired in thos classes stuck with us forever.
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| Messages in this Thread |
|  Almost everything you need to know to become successful - Dorothy/MI on 4/22/05 11:00am |
|  Good job, Dorothy-MI! n/m -  Brenda Stone on 4/22/05 11:07am |
|  Thank you again, Dorothy and Brenda, et al!! - Mary Mantz on 4/22/05 4:42pm |
| further evidence of a slow down - anon on 4/22/05 11:48am |
| Loan Signer Training - Anya/LA (CA) on 4/22/05 1:04pm |
|  Re: Loan Signer Training - MaggieMae_CA on 4/22/05 3:23pm |
| Re: Loan Signer Training - Mary Mantz on 4/22/05 4:45pm |
| Added to thread #33325-Counter-point View- NSA training - BrendaTX on 7/13/05 9:06am |
| Re: Loan Signer Training - Carlos/CA on 12/10/10 12:10pm |
| Re: further evidence of a slow down - Stephen_VA on 4/22/05 2:51pm |
| Re: Almost everything you need to know to become successful - chelleCA on 4/22/05 2:11pm |
| Re: Almost everything you need to know to become successful - Knotaree DC on 4/22/05 3:49pm |
| Re: ALMOST everything you need to know to become successful - JanetK/CA on 7/18/05 12:33am |
| Details and Accuracy are Important - adding to #33325 - BrendaTX on 7/14/05 11:00am |
| Re: Almost everything you need to know to become successful - Laura_NH on 4/22/05 10:50pm |
| Re: Almost everything you need to know to become successful - Sansan7 on 5/18/05 9:11pm |
| Re: Almost everything you need to know to become successful - David Woodul on 5/30/05 5:30pm |
| CA-Almost everything you need to know to become successful - Elda Garibay on 6/1/05 2:17pm |
| Re: Almost everything you need to know to become successful - sweetpea, al on 6/1/05 5:50pm |
| Re: Almost everything you need to know to become successful - nkroyall on 6/7/05 4:17pm |
 | Additional information - Not an entitlement - Dorothy/MI on 6/13/05 8:57am |
| Bookmark 'em - BrendaTX on 6/13/05 9:32am |
| Re: Additional information - Not an entitlement - Judith_VA on 6/13/05 3:00pm |
| Re: Additional information - spell check - SamIam_CA on 6/13/05 3:27pm |
| Recommended Reading: As a new NSA..here is my perspective - BrendaTx on 6/13/05 9:32pm |
| Re: Recommended Reading: Added Nicole to #33325 thread n/m - BrendaTx on 6/13/05 9:33pm |
| Re: Additional information - Not an entitlement - NJDiva on 9/29/10 10:00pm |
| Adding to "Success" thread #33325 - Here's eDoc practice. - BrendaTx on 6/13/05 9:36pm |
| HP Printers/Printer Command Language (PCL) by PAW_Fl - BrendaTX on 6/17/05 8:51am |
| Re: Adding to "Success" thread #33325 - Here's eDoc practice. - katsr_CA on 8/31/05 2:40pm |
| Re: Adding to "Success" thread #33325 - Here's eDoc practice. - DTNotaries on 3/16/06 6:59pm |
| Re: 2nd link doesn't work any longer - Jodith/WA on 1/2/10 6:25pm |
| Jodith, this is a very old thread (4 years) - BrendaTx on 1/2/10 6:31pm |
|  Re: Jodith, this is a very old thread (4 years) - Jodith Allen on 1/2/10 6:39pm |
| Re: More advice from Brenda/TX - Dorothy/MI on 6/16/05 9:55pm |
| Beginner's FAQs (Compliments of AngelinaAZ) - BrendaTX on 6/17/05 5:13am |
| Making the Confirmation Call...by Iris-WA - BrendaTX on 7/12/05 2:56pm |
| What Ernest CT says about the Confirmation Call - BrendaTX on 7/12/05 2:58pm |
| Why people are reluctant to post TC info from Nd_WA - BrendaTX on 7/21/05 8:10am |
| Re: Why people are reluctant to post TC info from Nd_WA - tfarmertx on 7/23/05 8:02pm |
| Acronyms regarding loans by Brian/CA - BrendaTX on 7/21/05 9:07pm |
| Re: Acronyms regarding loans by Brian/CA - linda/ca on 7/23/05 9:51pm |
| Re: Acronyms regarding loans by Brian/CA - linda/ca on 7/24/05 3:19am |
| End of Month - Bonnie/FL Explains - BrendaTX on 7/24/05 12:48pm |
| Accepting an Assignment / Quoting Fee / EOM (+ to #33325) - Brenda Stone on 7/26/05 4:13am |
| Small claims court for #33325 by Nicole & by Melody - BrendaTX on 7/26/05 5:05am |
| Quoting your fee to SS's...ASK like THIS - TCMN on 7/26/05 5:19pm |
| Birth, Labor & Delivery of a mortgage loan - by Renee Kovacs - BrendaTX on 9/19/05 1:07pm |
| Clues to spotting a Signing Services to void by Charles_CA - Iris Grayson on 9/19/05 4:11pm |
| Pricing and Fees by NorCalDar on 10/7/05 - BrendaTX on 10/7/05 1:47pm |
| Re: Pricing and Fees by NorCalDar on 10/7/05 - Nathan Ellsworth on 10/19/05 11:19pm |
| I disagree - the $10 @ is justified - ALL SONOMA MOBILE NOTARY - Judith Neeley on 2/19/08 9:13pm |
| Required Reading - NSA 101-Orientation by Roger OH - BrendaTx on 11/14/05 3:56pm |
| Required Reading - NSA 101 - UPDATE to #33325- by Roger OH - BrendaTx on 5/17/06 5:24pm |
| Adding #76283 to the thread of Message #33325 - BrendaTx on 1/27/06 12:21pm |
| Jersey Boy's 2 cents... Adding to #33325 - BrendaTx on 2/3/06 10:21am |
| Re: Almost everything you need to know to become successful - Brenda Stone on 2/5/06 3:50pm |
| For Income Tax starting place, see Msg #94550 - BrendaTx on 2/5/06 3:52pm |
| A Lesson on Attitude for New SAs... - BrendaTx on 2/9/06 3:00pm |
| A Lesson on Attitude for new SA's .... by JanetK_CA - TitleGalCA on 2/9/06 8:27pm |
| above post by JanetK_CA, not TitleGal N~M - TitleGalCA on 2/9/06 8:28pm |
| Posted from msg 95364 - Brenda_TX - Newbie Msg for Today - Dorothy_MI on 2/10/06 2:37pm |
| Re: Posted from msg 95364 - Brenda_TX - Newbie Msg for Today - lulu on 2/10/06 3:11pm |
| Msg List - Going Mobile - adding to #33325 (From BeccaFL) - BrendaTx on 2/13/06 10:20am |
| Mobile Office - adding to #33325 (From BeccaFL) w/ Keywords - BrendaTx on 2/13/06 10:25am |
| From CharlesCA - Adding to 33325 - True Professional Society - BrendaTx on 2/13/06 3:07pm |
| Tina of MA re: Fees - When to renegotiate a fee - BrendaTx on 3/28/06 4:06pm |
| The Other Side of the Coin (back by popular demand) - BrendaTx on 3/28/06 5:04pm |
| Discussing the title company solicitation....added to #33325 - BrendaTx on 3/31/06 2:55pm |
| No HUD with the package from PAW-FL //added to #33325 - BrendaTx on 4/2/06 12:59pm |
| Signing errors through the lenders eyes by Renee Kovacs - TitleGalCA on 4/5/06 11:31pm |
| Re: Almost everything you need to know to become successful - Anonymous from 71.66.111.249 on 4/30/06 6:24pm |
| Deed of Trust/Mortgage by Atty - Kevin/CT added to #33325 - BrendaTx on 5/2/06 12:28pm |
| Re: Deed of Trust/Mortgage - PAW - Added to #33325 - BrendaTx on 5/2/06 12:30pm |
| Notary Certifying Copy - See Thread beginning w/Msg #117135 n/m - BrendaTx on 5/2/06 12:32pm |
| Additional Info -- especially if you live alone - Dorothy_MI on 5/5/06 1:28pm |
| Manufactured Homes / Finding Info by Lawrence OK - BrendaTx on 5/7/06 7:55pm |
| Adding to #33325 - My First Signing & Marketing by eboughey - BrendaTx on 5/11/06 7:43am |
| Adding to 33325 - StamperWI - Standard Fees Calculation - BrendaTx on 5/12/06 9:18am |
| Msg to New Signing Agents from Sylvia_FL added to #33325 - BrendaTx on 5/17/06 11:44am |
| Demand for payment letter - adding to 33325 by droman_IL - BrendaTx on 5/18/06 7:22am |
| New Signing Agents-Read This First! Adding to #33325 Marlene - BrendaTx on 5/19/06 9:24am |
| Signing prior to printed date ReneeK - added to 33325 - BrendaTx on 5/19/06 9:32am |
| Re: Signing prior to printed date BarbaraL-CA added to 33325 - BrendaTx on 5/19/06 9:37am |
| How to get help on this forum - CaliNotary added to 33325 - BrendaTx on 5/19/06 4:48pm |
| About Backdating... by ReneeK adding to 33325 - BrendaTx on 5/22/06 1:59pm |
| Professionalism and Responsibility - BrendaTx on 5/27/06 2:22pm |
| Apostille (or apostilles) Adding to #33325 [by Gerry VT] - BrendaTx on 5/31/06 5:55pm |
| Addition to 33325 - First & Second by ND-WA and CMS-NY - BrendaTx on 6/1/06 10:39am |
| By BrendaTX 5/26/06: *...for those who understand business* - Ndwa on 6/2/06 4:20pm |
| Id on the Amish - Stamper/WI - adding to 33325 - BrendaTx on 6/6/06 7:04pm |
| Newbies - a lesson on attitude by Janet K - adding to 33325 - BrendaTx on 6/8/06 10:54am |
| Date Clarification - Roger OH - adding to 33325 - BrendaTx on 6/23/06 2:52pm |
| Considerations for getting started/Dorothy MI /add to #33325 - BrendaTx on 7/9/06 1:15pm |
| For the Newbies.. Things to carry with you/ADDING TO 33325 - Brenda Stone on 7/17/06 1:24pm |
| More Things to carry with you/ADDING TO 33325 - BrendaTx on 7/17/06 1:41pm |
| Re: More Things to carry with you/ADDING TO 33325 - BrendaTx on 7/17/06 1:55pm |
| Re: More Things to carry with you/ADDING TO 33325 - Brad/AZ on 4/3/07 2:30pm |
| Slow down in Business - Surfers or Signers - add to #33325 - BrendaTx on 7/19/06 2:11pm |
| Adding to 33325 - From One Newbie to Another - Great advice - BrendaTx on 8/12/06 12:05pm |
| Re: Adding to 33325 -Check list of compter needs for working - hcampersFL on 10/30/06 7:10am |
| From one Newbie to another…Sharon Nunley - BrendaTx on 2/9/07 6:43am |
| Re: From one Newbie to another…Sharon Nunley - BrendaTx on 2/9/07 6:44am |
| History of the loan industry and how it affects NSAs today - Laura Vestanen on 3/18/07 6:36pm |
| If you're a newbee and take $50 signings, PLEASE read - Laura Vestanen on 4/2/07 7:54pm |
| Update to Famous Message 33325 - Tim_Mphs/TN on 4/28/07 3:02am |
| Re: Almost everything you need to know to become successful - Stella Gonzales on 5/3/07 7:23pm |
| Dressing Professionally - by kcg/IN - adding to #33325 - BrendaTx on 5/4/07 12:12pm |
| All of the VA Crespa questions - by Shannon Va- +'d to33325 - BrendaTx on 5/28/07 9:18am |
| First, learn the basics of signing. Added to #33325 - BrendaTx on 9/4/07 6:41am |
| Important for NSAs in Illinois, Maryland, So Carolina, Mass - Laura Vestanen on 11/11/07 5:35am |
| Before you think about starting - by CJ in CA - add to 33325 - BrendaTx on 11/15/07 2:47pm |
| NSA Professional Standards - MistarellaFL on 8/16/08 11:36am |
| The Client/Vendor Relationship -- a MUST see video!! - Marian_in_CA on 5/31/09 4:28pm |
| True skinny: Notary advocate / presentment / honor-dishonor - Laura_V on 10/1/09 5:54pm |
| Re: True skinny: Notarial protest / certificate of dishonor - Robert/FL on 11/12/09 11:51am |
| Believe in yourself! - John_NorCal on 10/24/09 10:22am |
| Forgot to add..... - John_NorCal on 10/24/09 12:52pm |
| Our fees + their relevancy to state of industry - Laura_V on 10/29/09 11:25am |
| Re: What is a good rate to set and keep? - Laura_V on 11/25/09 11:57am |
| A perspective on our business Posted by JanetK_CA 1/5/10 - Laura_V on 1/5/10 6:34pm |
| Post by Les CO re the current state and probable future of.. - Laura_V on 1/12/10 10:05am |
| Better is not always cheaper & Cheaper is not always better - Moneyman/TX on 12/4/10 1:11am |
| You are an Independent Contractor...not an employee... - Lee/AR on 4/12/10 8:16am |
| Buddy's Lessons - For New Notaries 101 - BrendaTx on 6/2/12 9:03am |
| SS&TC Research Our Industry-We are Certified for God's Sake - bygrace/PA on 6/21/12 6:33pm |
| Decide if you are a Checker, Poker or Chess Player - bygrace/PA on 6/21/12 6:37pm |
| Tipsabout using signing central and NR forum from NJDIVA - SheilaSJCA on 8/23/12 11:07am |
| Please send information to... - Olivia Mosley on 1/13/15 11:56am |
| Olivia Mosley - you are in old files - jba/fl on 1/13/15 8:05pm |
| Sequence of events - Lender to NSA by Deborah Breedlove - BrendaTx on 9/27/12 10:15pm |
| Re: Almost everything you need to know to become successful - Janice Stephens on 10/19/12 12:36pm |
| Don't work for Low Ball, No Pay Companies - BrendaTx on 10/20/12 1:46pm |
| Sample Loan Document Package - BrendaTx on 11/25/12 3:58pm |
| Re: Sample Loan Document Package - HisHughness on 11/25/12 4:23pm |
| LOL~! n/m - BrendaTx on 11/25/12 7:45pm |
| Key Tools for Maximizing NSA Success (adding to 33325) - BrendaTx on 2/4/13 6:32am |
