Tuesday, January 23, 2018

Notary Entrepreneurs Wanted

by Daniel C. Lewis

I am currently seeking at least 100 notary entrepreneurs that are interested in receiving financial coaching for the next 12 months.  I have been a successful Notary Entrepreneur for the past 18 years.  I started as a Notary Signing Agent and have built a very effective and efficient notary scheduling service.  I have also organized a grassroots campaign in my home state of Indiana and helped improved the conditions for notaries here by lobbying the General Assembly to pass new legislation for notaries which includes raising the general notary fees from $2 per notarization to $10 per notarization.  This new law will take effect on July 1, 2018.

In 2018 I would like to help at least 100 notary entrepreneurs get to a comfortable level of financial security with their notary business.  My focus for financially coaching notary entrepreneurs will be in six areas:


  • Cash Flow
  • Debt Management
  • Setting Up an Emergency Fund
  • Developing Proper Protection for your business
  • Building Wealth
  • Preserving Wealth



I am a licensed Financial Planner and will conduct this service at no charge for the notary entrepreneur.  After conducting a Financial Needs Analysis with you, I make a few recommendations that should put you in a better financial situation.  If you agree with the recommendations than I am paid from the marketing reserves of the financial institution recommended.

I have an expertise in notary entrepreneurship and would like to share that knowledge with other notary entrepreneurs.  It is my goal to help other notary entrepreneurs become financial secure with their notary business.   

If you are interested in this opportunity click here.

Looking forward to working with you.

Daniel C. Lewis resides in Carmel, IN.  He was named in 2010 Notary of the Year by the National Notary Association.  He was also named in the same year an Honorary Secretary of State by the Indiana Secretary of State.  Daniel is currently serving as President of the Indiana Notary Association.  Daniel is an entrepreneur, writer, video editor and Managing Partner of Lewis Notary Services Inc.  Daniel is also a licensed Financial Advisor and specializes in helping notary entrepreneur with retirement planning.  If you wish to receive assistance with your business plan and receive a FREE financial review click here

Saturday, January 20, 2018

4 Financial Reasons to be a Notary Entrepreneur

by Daniel C. Lewis



Notary Entrepreneur?  What is that?

A notary entrepreneur is a business owner that has developed a successful business plan around helping his community as a notary public.  Notary entrepreneurs are the drivers of innovation in their field.  They organize, manage and assumes all the risk of their notary business enterprise.  If you have considered becoming a notary entrepreneur here are 4 financial reasons that might just sway your thinking.


Tax Advantages

Without a doubt there are several tax advantages to being a notary entrepreneur.  Being notary entrepreneur means keeping track of these different types of  expenditures.  Even through you don't have an employer matching your savings you are able to put aside a lot of money in tax deferred accounts and can choose a retirement plan that works best for you.  Some of the most common tax deductions for business owners are meals, entertainment, travel, transportation, home office, internet & phone, health and business insurance.  To gain a better understanding of each deduction see a tax professional.




Opportunity for Increased Retirement Savings

Being a notary entrepreneur allows you many options and incentives as far as financial planning.  Since self-employed individuals must fund their retirement completely on your own, the contribution limits are far more generous than the limits placed if your were working as an employee. 

CHECK THIS OUT:  401k and IRA Contribution and Deduction Limits for 2018

I recommend you seek out a financial professional and receive as much advice about securing your financial future.  There are many tax deferred programs as well as other programs that will help you grow your investment in your future rapidly.  As a self employed person you can prioritize your retirement planning and create a nice healthy nest egg.  Programs like a SIMPLE IRA, a Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) IRA and a Solo 401(k) can really help you to hit your financial goals.  To setup a retirement saving program for yourself contact a financial professional by clicking here 



 Unlimited Income Potential




One of the greatest rewards of being a notary entrepreneur, as with any business ownership, is that it gives you the opportunity to make an unlimited amount of income.  Your income grows as your ability to be creative as a business owner grows.  You have direct and complete control of how much income you ultimately make. Remember the greatest asset your business has is you.

It is definitely possible to earn millions of dollars from a typical 9 to 5 job.  Operating at this level means you are competing against a number of people that want this same level of income.  As a result in today's job market the employer company will either get brought out, go out of business or downsize the business before you get an opportunity to hit your financial goals.

When you are a business owner and/or notary entrepreneur you can earn as much money as your talents, ambition and energy levels will allow.  Your income depends on your growth as a business professional. 



Better Career Security than a Job

In the early 1990's I began working for AT&T in middle management.  I remember the first day after being hired the training manager came into the room and said this will be the last job you will ever have.  Two years later that same training manager was laid off in a company wide management layoff.  Needless to say job security is a thing of the past.

When you run your own business, no matter what it is, you may never face unemployment again.  There will be times when your revenue may come in a bit slow, however, you will control who you do business with and for how long. 

Are you ready to become a notary entrepreneur?

Other articles by this Author:

Notary Bonds and Insurance

How the massive Equifax Data Breach affects Notary Signing Agents

How to find a Notary Public in Indiana

Daniel C. Lewis resides in Carmel, IN.  He was named in 2010 Notary of the Year by the National Notary Association.  He was also named in the same year an Honorary Secretary of State by the Indiana Secretary of State.  Daniel is currently serving as President of the Indiana Notary Association.  Daniel is an entrepreneur, writer, video editor and Managing Partner of Lewis Notary Services Inc.  Daniel is also a licensed Financial Advisor and specializes in helping notary entrepreneur with retirement planning.  If you wish to receive assistance with your business plan and receive a FREE financial review click here  Daniel is the co-author of the book MAKE YOUR BUSINESS OUR BUSINESS sold on Amazon now.

Saturday, January 6, 2018

Notary Bonds and Insurance

by Daniel C. Lewis



Everyday someone is jumping in, feet first, starting a new notary business.  They have checked out some websites, joined a couple of local and national organizations and took the time to write out a business plan for their notary business.  One question that should come up at the very beginning of this new venture is....

What type of insurance do I need to properly protect my business as well as my personal assets?

Most online website will give some basic information about Bonds and E&O  Insurance.  If this was the year 2001 that would be great protection but since we are in 2018 this definitely won't be sufficient coverage for the professional notary entrepreneur.  Let's take a look at some of the different protection available for the notary entrepreneur.




Bonds

What is a Notary Bond?  A notary bond is a legally binding contract guaranteeing the notary will complete tasks ethically and in adherence with the local laws.  Notary bonds are required because notaries and notaries public are entrusted with a great deal of legal authority and are appointed as witnesses who ensure signatures on important legal documents are valid.  Bonds are usually required in each jurisdiction (check your local requirements).

Please keep in mind, however, bonds actually protect the public and not the notary.  The reason why that's important is that if there is ever an issue and your notary bond is called to pay damages, the notary would need to repay the bond back to the bonding company.  Click here to get a quote on a Notary Bond     




Errors & Omission Insurance

E&O Insurance is a type of professional liability insurance that protects the notary entrepreneur from mistakes resulting in financial loss by the customer.  If a customer makes a claim for damages against a Notary Bond, E&O Insurance will protect the notary's assets up to the chosen coverage amount.  Without E&O Insurance notaries are personally liable for damages caused by a mistake made while acting as a notary, which is why this coverage is so important.  It is important to remember that E&O Insurance does not cover mistakes deemed to be intentional in nature.  E&O Insurance is highly recommended.  Click here to get a quote on Errors and Omission Insurance




Signing Agent E&O Insurance

Signing Agent E&O Insurance (also called Signing Agent Liability Insurance) is designed to fill the gaps not covered by traditional Notary E&O Insurance.  Signing Agent Liability Insurance is specifically designed for notaries who assist with loan signings.  The policy fills the gaps left with traditional Notary E&O Insurance, which only provides coverage for the actual notarization in loan packages.  Signing Agent E&O Insurance covers unintentional errors or omissions while the notary is acting as a "signing agent".  In addition to the notarizations, this insurance covers such things as getting all other signatures and initials, correctly dating the documents, completing the signing in the time period specified, and promptly returning the signed documents.  Defense costs are also covered within the coverage amount.  Click here for quote on Signing Agent Errors & Omission Insurance




Identity Theft Protection

I was recently in a room full of seasons professional notary entrepreneurs and asked two questions.  The first question was how many of you ever had to use your Errors & Omissions Insurance because of a claim for damages?  Keeping in mind the average years experience was about 7 years, not one hand went up.  Then I asked how many of you ever been a victim or knows a victim of identity theft?  All the hands in the room went up.  Having identity theft protection is one of the most under rated forms of insurance that the notary entrepreneur can have.  I am not referring to some watered down version of identity theft protection from a bank or as an add on to an insurance policy that will not properly protect the notary or his/her business.  I am referring to a comprehensive plan that not only protects against the notary from credit card scams, drivers license identity theft, passport scams, and medical fraud but even protect the notary's social media post from being hijacked.

Since some notary entrepreneur assignments deal primarily with real estate transactions and require the notary to submit to annual background screens, having comprehensive identity theft protection is critical to operating a efficient effective notary business.  Click here for identity theft protection

Other articles by this Author

Will the Indiana ID fly?

What states gives the most speeding tickets?

What is Internet Catfishing?

Daniel C. Lewis resides in Carmel, IN.  He was named in 2010 Notary of the Year by the National Notary Association.  He was also named in the same year an Honorary Secretary of State by the Indiana Secretary of State.  Daniel is currently serving as the President of the Indiana Notary Association.  Daniel is an entrepreneur, writer, video editor and Managing Partner of Lewis Notary Services Inc.  Daniel has recently obtained a license as a Financial Advisor.  If you wish to receive assistance with your business plan and receive a FREE financial review click here

  

Wednesday, January 3, 2018

Will your Indiana ID Fly?

WILL YOUR INDIANA ID FLY?

by Daniel C. Lewis


Did you know that as of October 1, 2020 a Real ID-compliant driver's license, permit or identification card will be required to fly commercially in the United States and to access the following:


  • Military Base
  • Amtrak train
  • Secure Federal facilities


Alternative documentation such as a passport or Common Access Card (CAC) will also be accepted.

So, what is Real ID?

Real ID is a secure form of identification that meets federal security standards for state-issued licenses, permits, or identification cards. 

Real ID is indicated by a star in the upper right hand corner of a license, permit or ID.



How to obtain a Real ID

Visit any BMV branch with the required documentation to upgrade to a Real ID.  You cannot become Real ID-compliant via phone, mail or online transaction.
What is a Non-Compliant Driver's License or ID Card?

A non-compliant credential indicates you have not provided the documentation necessary to validate your identity, lawful status, Social Security number, and/or Indiana residency.  Only individuals with a current Indiana credential are eligible to apply for a non-compliant credential.  A non-compliant credential will allow you to drive and/or vote, but may not be acceptable for federal identification purposes.


What if you already renewed your license and it isn't Real ID-compliant?

If you already renewed your non-compliant license or identification card, you should visit a BMV branch to become compliant, even if your permit, license, or identification card doesn't expire before the 2020 deadline.  You can only obtain a Real ID by visiting a BMV branch and presenting the required documentation in person. 

Special Note:  If your name has been legally changed and now differs from your identity document(s) proof of the name change must be provided in order to obtain a Real ID.  Acceptable documents supporting a legal name change include a marriage license, divorce decree, or court order.  In all cases, the documents must show a clear trail of name changes from the name on the identity document to the current name.  For more information, visit REALID.IN.gov.



Other Articles by this Author:




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Daniel C. Lewis resides in Carmel, IN.  He was named in 2010 Notary of the Year by the National Notary Association.  He was also named in the same year an Honorary Secretary of State by the Indiana Secretary of State.  Daniel is currently serving as the President of the Indiana Notary Association.  Daniel is an entrepreneur, writer, video editor and Managing Partner of Lewis Notary Services Inc.  Daniel has recently obtained a license as a Financial Advisor.  If you wish to receive assistance with your business plan and receive a FREE financial review click here