The Truth About Growing a Successful Notary Business

When people think about becoming a notary, they often imagine a simple side hustle. Get commissioned, stamp documents, and make extra income. But if you want to turn this into a real business, something scalable and sustainable, there is a lot more that goes on behind the scenes.

I recently had a conversation with Michelle Gnadt, the owner of a successful notary signing service, and her story highlights what it really takes to grow in this industry.

Starting Is Just the Beginning

Michelle began her journey in 2019 after being inspired by real estate investing content. Like many notaries, she started by taking assignments and learning as she went.

But one thing she emphasized is this: success does not happen overnight.

There are challenges, slow seasons, and unexpected life events. In her case, she navigated serious personal hardships while still building her business. That experience pushed her to think bigger than just trading time for money.

Why She Transitioned to a Signing Service

At some point, Michelle realized that relying on third-party signing services was limiting.

Low pay, lack of control, and inconsistent experiences led her and her husband to make a bold decision. They built their own signing service so they could:

• Work directly with clients

• Pay notaries fairly

• Create a better experience for everyone involved

This shift allowed them to move from being individual notaries to running a business that manages multiple signings at once.

What Makes a Great Notary

If you want to grow in this space, especially if you plan to work with signing services or be part of a team, professionalism matters more than anything.

From Michelle’s perspective, strong notaries have:

• Proper certification, especially signing agent training

• Real experience handling signings confidently

• Reliability and communication during appointments

• The ability to follow instructions without constant guidance

This is something I always emphasize too. Your reputation is everything in this industry.

Marketing Beyond Title Companies

Most notaries focus heavily on title companies. While that is a solid path, it is not the only one.

Michelle shared that she prefers working with attorneys, especially in niche areas like legal services that require discretion and consistency.

This is a reminder that there are many opportunities outside of traditional loan signings. Expanding your network can open doors to more stable and higher-quality clients.

The Reality of Scaling

Starting your own signing service sounds appealing, but it comes with its own challenges.

You are no longer just completing signings. You are:

• Managing notaries

• Handling client relationships

• Learning new systems and platforms

• Being available when issues come up

In many ways, you gain flexibility, but you also take on more responsibility.

Lessons for Notaries Who Want More

If you are thinking about growing beyond basic notary work, here are a few key takeaways:

• Be patient with the process. Growth takes time

• Focus on building relationships, not just completing transactions

• Invest in your skills and professionalism

• Explore different markets like legal services, not just real estate

• Think long term if you want to scale your income

There is no single path in this industry. But if you are willing to stay consistent and keep learning, there is real opportunity to build something meaningful.