Send us Fan Mail

I called over 200 notaries listed on my own platform about paid estate signing jobs.

Two called back.

That experience — and the painful decision it led to — is at the heart of this episode.

For years I ran Gotary.com, a premium notary directory I personally built, marketed, and stood behind. I put my name, my face, and my phone number on it because I believed in the professionals listed there. And when hiring parties started telling me they couldn't reach those notaries, I tested it myself.

The pattern was the same every time. Calls unanswered. Voicemails unprofessional or missing entirely. Texts and follow-ups ignored. For paid jobs.

That's when I made the decision to shut Gotary down.

But here's what that experience revealed that goes far beyond one directory:

Most of those notaries didn't ghost hiring parties because they were careless. They ghosted them because they had quietly stepped away from the business — and never properly closed it.

Ghost listings. Phantom profiles. Phone numbers that ring into the void. And hiring parties who find those listings, make those calls, and hear nothing — they don't know the person quit. They just know they got ghosted by someone who called themselves a professional notary.

Multiply that across thousands of inactive notaries who never closed properly, and you start to understand where the responsiveness crisis in this industry is actually coming from.

This episode is about that problem. And the solution.

Whether you're thinking about closing your notary business, already stepping away, or still actively building — this one is for you.

What we cover: — Why quiet, graceless exits are fueling the notary responsiveness crisis — The real cost of ghost listings, dead profiles, and inactive voicemails — A complete step-by-step checklist for closing a notary business with integrity — How to protect your reputation, your relationships, and the profession on your way out — The one question worth asking before you close the door for good

This episode is for you if you're: — Searching for how to close a notary business the right way — Wondering what to do with your notary seal, journal, or commission — Feeling burned out, discouraged, or ready for a different season — An active notary questioning why responsiveness in this industry is broken — A mobile notary, signing agent, or loan signing agent wondering whether to continue

Resources mentioned: — Join the free community: skool.com/notary/about

The Sign & Thrive Podcast is hosted by Bill Soroka, founder of NotaryCoach.com and the High Performance Notary community — helping notaries build sustainable, professional businesses through relationship-based marketing, better systems, and a higher standard of service.

Send us Fan Mail

Most notaries are commissioned…

But very few are truly prepared for the responsibility that comes with the role.

In this episode of the Sign & Thrive Podcast for Notaries, Bill Soroka sits down with Lori Hamm—former notary administrator for the Montana Secretary of State’s office—for a candid conversation about the gap between what notaries are expected to do and how they’re actually trained.

This isn’t a conversation about how to stamp documents.

It’s about what’s really at stake when a notary verifies identity—and what happens when the system assumes competency that may not exist.

If you’ve ever questioned whether you’re doing this “right,” or felt like there’s a deeper level to this profession that no one is talking about, this episode will give you a new perspective.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why being commissioned as a notary does not automatically mean you’re qualified
• The real role notaries play in preventing fraud and protecting the public
• What state oversight actually covers—and where it falls short
• Common misconceptions about notarization and identity verification
• The risks notaries face when operating without deeper training
• Why the notary profession is evolving—and what that means for your future

This conversation is especially important for notaries who want to:

• Build a credible, professional reputation
• Work with higher-value clients like attorneys and institutions
• Reduce risk and operate with greater confidence
• Understand the bigger picture of the role they play

Because the truth is—

Notaries are often the last line of defense in critical transactions.

And the world is starting to expect more from those in this role.

If this episode resonated with you and you’re ready to step into a higher standard of professionalism, you can learn more about the national credentialing movement here:

www.americannotaryguild.com

And if you want to build a real business around your notary commission—with consistent clients, proven systems, and a community of notaries doing the work alongside you—

Join the High Performance Notary community:

https://www.skool.com/notary

Listen to more episodes of the Sign & Thrive Podcast for Notaries for practical strategies, real conversations, and the mindset shifts you need to grow a thriving notary business.

If you found value in this episode, be sure to follow the podcast and share it with another notary who’s ready to level up.

Send us Fan Mail

I shut down a platform I built to raise the standard of this industry.
Not because it failed… but because I couldn’t stand behind it anymore.

There’s a moment every business owner faces eventually.

When the data doesn’t just disappoint you…
It forces a decision.

In this episode, I’m sharing the real story behind why I made the call to shut down Gotary — a directory I built differently on purpose.

Not faceless.
Not automated.
Not “set it and forget it.”

I put my own name, my own reputation, and my own confirmation on the line for every notary listed.

And that’s exactly why I couldn’t ignore what kept happening.

Repeated complaints.
Missed calls.
Unreturned voicemails.
Inconsistent professionalism.

This wasn’t one-off noise.
It became a pattern.

And at some point, you have to ask yourself:

Would I trust this… if I were the client?

In this episode, we talk about:

• Why I built Gotary the way I did
• What I heard over and over again from hiring parties
• The difference between systems and behavior
• Why some problems can’t be solved with better tools
• The line every business owner eventually has to draw
• What this means for your own reputation and growth

This isn’t about calling anyone out.

It’s about ownership.

Because at the end of the day:

A system can create opportunity.
But only behavior earns trust.

And if you’re serious about building something that lasts…
that’s the part you can’t outsource.

You can join the conversation and get the support you need to grow a truly professional notary business in my free community on Skool here: https://www.skool.com/notary/about