Today we’d like to introduce you to Betty Krachey.
Hi Betty, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I entered the notary business when a friend, a real estate agent, needed a notary for her buyer over the weekend and couldn’t find one. The following Monday, I went to the county clerk and applied for my notary commission. A couple of weeks later, my commission came through; I got my supplies and called my friend to let her know I was ready the next time she needed a notary. She needed one that day, so I met her at the title company and notarized a buyer/seller package for her. That was my very first job as a notary.
With my background in real estate since 1995, I was already familiar with loan and real estate documents. Little did I know how busy I would become in my notary business just from word of mouth! I never imagined I’d become a full-time notary. This was a new venture for me as a business owner, and my entire working life was with brick-and-mortar convenience stores.
During the pandemic in 2020, I became a Remote Online Notary to help customers who couldn’t travel or were out of the country and needed their essential documents notarized. While I have other businesses, I had yet to learn about notary services would become such a significant part of my work. I average 90 signings (in-person and online) a month and refer many calls to colleagues in my group.
Would it have been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Being a notary has been a smooth journey for me. I had plans to start a nationwide signing service due to the high volume of calls and the constant demand, but I decided against it for now. The challenge of finding quality notaries in other areas played a significant role in this decision. I have a trusted group of notary colleagues, and we refer the work back and forth to each other. For now, I’m going to stick with this approach. In the future, when I decide to slow down, I may revisit the idea of starting a signing service again.
Let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
At Smoky Mountain Notary, we offer comprehensive notary services, including online notarizations worldwide and mobile notary services in the Knoxville, Tennessee, area, ensuring convenience for our clients wherever they are. We specialize in providing accessible notary services, allowing our customers to get their documents notarized in the comfort of their home or office. With extensive experience and a focus on reliability, Smoky Mountain Notary ensures that your notarization process is smooth and hassle-free. Our online notarization service makes it easy for clients to get documents notarized without traveling, perfect for those with busy schedules. Our mobile notary service is designed for clients who prefer face-to-face interactions in Knoxville. We also offer IPEN (in-person electronic notarization) services in Knoxville. IPEN is particularly useful for disabled signers with difficulty signing their names or customers needing documents notarized and delivered on the same day. Besides our online services, IPEN is the next best option. We prioritize trust and security in every notarization, giving you peace of mind that your documents are safe. At Smoky Mountain Notary, your needs are our top priority, providing personalized and efficient service. As a local business in Tennessee, we’re committed to supporting our community with reliable notary services. We’re proud to be involved in our local community, providing notary services that help individuals and businesses.
We’d like to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you.
I’ve often found myself in the right place at the right time. Remarkably, I was given my first convenience store at 20 years old! Since then, I have owned and operated several successful convenience stores until I sold my last one in 2014. The start of my professional journey was influenced by a bit of luck! I ventured into the notary business long before it became popular, giving me a competitive edge. I also foresaw that Tennessee would eventually allow online notarizations, so I proactively explored that side of the business. This preparation paid off when the pandemic hit. I obtained my commission as an online notary and was ready to assist customers who couldn’t travel back to the country to get their documents notarized. Since then, my online notary business has grown significantly, and I now handle more online notarizations than in-person ones.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.smokymtnnotary.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smokymtnnotary/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SmokyMountainNotary/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/smoky-mountain-notary
- Twitter: https://x.com/SmokyMtnNotary
Image Credits
Daniel Lewis, Debbie Waszak
