Black History Month
KCC's Black Entrepreneurs Series
Vicki Brathwaite | Bee Notarized, LLC
Seven years ago, Vicki Brathwaite put her dream of becoming a nurse on hold when life got in the way. While she’s kept one foot in the health care field––she’s currently the manager of contract administration and legal affairs at a multi-specialty physician group––she also successfully trained to become a certified notary public, and then a loan signing agent. For the past three years, this enterprising entrepreneur has been running her own mobile business, Bee Notarized, LLC, and providing her services to those who call.
Brathwaite’s general notary work includes notarizing such things as I-9 forms, verification of employment, lease agreements, and travel documentation for minors. As a loan signing agent, she assists with real estate transactions, including refinancing, purchases, and sales. She’s grown her company by making direct connections with title companies and mortgage companies across the United States.
“Many do not understand the difference between a notary public and a loan signing agent,” she notes. “They believe that they can have a notary public assist them with such real estate transactions as refinancing or a reverse mortgage. It’s the loan signing agent who is trained to walk you through the transaction and execute your documentation.”
Her grueling schedule would be a challenge to most people––but not to someone with nursing in her blood. “A typical day for me is working my regular 9-to-5 job and then starting my services by 6:30 p.m. Depending on the type of notarizations I have on a particular day, I might complete anywhere from two to three jobs, with my last appointment being at 9 p.m.”
Interestingly, there are characteristics of a good nurse shared in the notary field. “As a mobile notary public and a loan signing agent, you come into contact with people from different backgrounds who live in different environments,” noted Brathwaite. “You must be open-minded, patient and be a good communicator.”
Brathwaite credits her success to a mentoring organization. “It was very important to me because I learned a lot of things not taught during training. For example, I was able to gain experience with various real estate documentation by doing mock signings. It also gave me the opportunity to network with other notaries and loan signing agents. Through them, I learned how to set up an LLC, file proper documentation with the state, and ensure I have insurance to cover myself and my company.”
For the near future, Brathwaite has dueling goals. “In addition to making more connections with more title companies and mortgage lenders, I envision expanding my services to include contract management and virtual assisting.” Currently enrolled at Kingsborough Community College, she is also in the process of pursuing her original dream. “I plan on becoming a practicing nurse after I graduate in 2024. My ultimate goal is to become a quality assurance officer for nurses and a nurse practitioner in women’s health.”
Her advice to new business owners is not to be afraid to ask for help. “Someone out there has already learned from the mistakes you have not yet made.”
Bee Notarized LLC
https://linkr.bio/beenotarizedllc
https://www.facebook.com/beenotarizedllc
(929) 216-0056