Today we’d like to introduce you to Velita Faulk.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Entrepreneurship has always been in my blood. My father was a Detroit Police Officer and a landlord, so I grew up watching him juggle protecting and serving while managing properties. My mother always had a side business going as well—she sold Avon, Tupperware, cleaned houses, etc. Seeing both of them hustle in their own ways showed me early on that I could create opportunities for myself.
Throughout my corporate career, I was always dreaming about creating something that was mine—something where I could serve people directly and build on my own terms. That’s what led me to the notary business. I started with Official Ink Notary, offering mobile and remote services, and it grew because people not only needed a notary but also wanted to know how to turn notary work into a real business.
That’s when Gateway Notary Professional Development was born. I didn’t want other notaries to struggle the way so many do—with a lack of business training and understanding costs, undercharging, undervaluing themselves, or walking away because they didn’t know the business side. I created training programs, resources, and even my Winning Notary Formula™ calculator, which has both a digital and web option, to give notaries confidence in their pricing and professionalism in running their businesses.
For me, this work is about more than stamps and signatures. It’s about honoring the entrepreneurial spirit my parents planted in me and passing that on to others so they can see notary work as a professional, profitable path.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Definitely not a smooth road. I learned a lot through trial and error. When I first started, there really wasn’t much guidance out there for notaries who wanted to treat this as a business, not just a side hustle. I had to figure out everything from pricing to marketing within the context of compliance with Michigan Notary Law.
Another challenge was—and still is—balance. I have a full-time job, my notary business, training others, building tools, and still trying to be present for my family. There are plenty of late nights and moments when I question if I should shut it all down.
On top of that, I’ve had to fight against misconceptions about what notaries do. Many people still think of it as just stamping a document, but it’s so much more than that. It’s about adding a layer of trust to important documents with integrity, accuracy, and professionalism.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
By profession, I’m a Supply Chain Industrial Engineer, and I’ve spent over 30 years in the automotive industry. My background taught me how to analyze systems, solve problems, and find creative ways to add value. I’ve carried that same mindset into my notary businesses.
I’m most proud of The Winning Notary Formula™, a web-based tool I created to help notaries put real calculations behind their travel fees so they can charge fairly and sustainably. Too many notaries struggle with pricing beyond the $10 notary fee. Notaries can provide mobile service, courier service, and other administrative services; however, the pricing needs to make sense. What sets me apart is that I’m not afraid to take a new—or even unpopular—approach to show that there are still many ways to build value and generate income ethically and transparently.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I was always serious and focused and always wanted to be independent. At seven years old, I asked Mr. Stevenson, who was the barber and ice cream shop owner in my neighborhood, if I could sweep up hair just so I could earn my own money. I didn’t want to have to ask for anything I wanted.
That drive to be self-sufficient has followed me my whole life—sometimes to a fault—but it’s also what’s kept me moving forward. I wasn’t one to wait for someone to hand me an opportunity.
That mindset shaped everything about who I am today. It’s what pushed me in my career, inspired my businesses, and fuels my desire to help others stand on their own.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.officialinknotary.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/velitafaulk
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@WinningNotary
- Other: https://www.notaryformula.com
Image Credit
CC Photography Enterprise LLC
