Today we’d like to introduce you to Rafeena Haniff.
Hi Rafeena, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for sharing your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
To understand what shaped me into who I am today, you must know where my story began. I was born in Guyana, South America, and moved to the U.S. when I was fifteen. In my early years, my parents allowed me to be independent, allowed me to make my own decisions, and let me learned from my mistakes. That has positively impacted my growth. If you ask anyone who knows me, they will tell you that I am a very independent, driven, and hardworking woman. My interest in being an entrepreneur started about two years ago when my friend and her mom introduced me to the notary world. Her mom, a realtor, told us about the business and how notaries are involved in real estate closings. I was eager to learn more about this industry and started researching. After countless hours and days of research, I decided to venture into the notary world. One thing about me, when I am serious about something, I put all my energy and focus into it.
After being commissioned as a notary, I started my business correctly and made it a Limited Liability Company (LLC) to separate my assets from the business. After creating the LLC for Jax Notary Services, I started to do the groundwork to get the name of my business out to the public. I created a Google Ad, Website, and Social Media page and started spreading the word to everyone I knew about my business. Jax Notary Services has been fruitful for me thus far. My Google Business Ad helps people find me easily and see reviews from previous clients so they can decide if I am the right notary for them. There is still work to be done to make my business thrive more in this current economy, but things have been great, and I enjoy meeting new people and serving Jacksonville and the surrounding areas.
Alright, let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
It is definitely not a smooth road when it comes to being an entrepreneur. As a new business owner, I am required to wear many hats. I play the CEO, Marketing, Accountant, Payroll, Content Creator, Advertising, Inventory management; the list goes on. Learning to operate in every business area can be overwhelming, especially if I am unfamiliar with it. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to be an entrepreneur. I always prepare for the ups and downs and pivot when necessary for the business’s success. As I mentioned previously, I had to create a public presence so that people know that my company exists. Creating a website was something I haven’t done before, so I had to learn how to do that amongst many other things to develop an online presence. I am still learning something new every day and learning what works and doesn’t work for my company.
There will always be bumps in the road, but how I approach it matters. As a notary loan signing agent, gaining direct clients is necessary for the success of my business. This involves marketing to title companies and lenders. This has been one of my struggles. Marketing to direct clients can be challenging, especially if they already have a notary they prefer to work with. But, as a business owner, I keep moving, remain persistent, and don’t give up.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about Jax Notary Services?
I am not “just a notary.” Many people must realize that a notary has many branches they can conduct business through. I like to focus on Real Estate Closings and General Notary Work. I am a certified loan signing agent. If clients are closing on their homes, such as Buying, Selling, Refinancing, etc., and need a notary to conduct their closing, I am qualified to do that. I also provide general notary services for anyone who needs documents notarized, such as last will, trusts, power of attorney, divorce papers, marriage certificates, and more. I have also done a wedding.
Yes, a wedding! However, being a wedding officiant is different from my niche in the notary world. At least, I can always add it to my services. One of the great things about Jax Notary Services is that I am mobile. If my clients need me to go to their homes or meet them somewhere in public to notarize their documents, I can bring the business to them. I also have flexible hours and am open on weekends, making it easy for people to schedule with me. Jax Notary Services has grown so much within the last few years, and I couldn’t be happier. I still have a lot of work to do, but I love what I do and enjoy meeting people and helping them with their notary needs.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Most people may not know how hard I have worked for everything. My parents passed away when I was young, and with no siblings, I had to navigate this world independently. Of course, I had help and guidance from extended family and friends, but It was not the same If I had my parents or immediate family. Not many people know my story, and I surprise them when they learn about my background and how much I have accomplished on my own.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sites.google.com/view/jaxnotaryservices
- Instagram: @jaxnotaryservices
Image Credits
Nightingale Enterprise, MKB Lifestyle Photography
