From Vet Tech to Remote Online Notary: Melanie’s Inspiring Journey

At Notary SWFL, we believe every notary’s story can inspire others who are just starting out. Today, we’re spotlighting Melanie Gonzalez, who began her Remote Online Notary (RON) journey in May 2025 — and is already building momentum through consistency, mentorship, and community support.

From Veterinary Tech to Remote Online Notary

Melanie’s path to becoming a notary was unexpected. She worked as a lead vet tech, a role she loved — until a difficult work environment pushed her to seek something new. That’s when friends introduced her to the notary business. With their encouragement, Melanie realized RON could provide the financial stability she needed, while also giving her flexibility and freedom.

Since then, she says, the experience has been “rainbows and butterflies.” While not every day is perfect, Melanie is grateful for the opportunities RON has opened — especially the chance to work from home and build a business she truly enjoys.

Finding Her Groove with Remote Work

Although Melanie started with both in-person and remote notarizations, she now focuses primarily on RON. She limits in-person appointments to her local area — Hialeah, Miami Lakes, and surrounding neighborhoods — but prefers the efficiency of working remotely.

She admits she doesn’t miss the printing, scanning, and extra steps of mobile work. Remote sessions allow her to manage her business more smoothly while still providing excellent service to clients and signing services.

The Value of Mentorship and Community

Melanie credits much of her growth to mentorship with Katie Tremulis and the Roadmap to RON program. She especially appreciated the step-by-step resources — from setting up a Google Business Profile to templates for client communication.

Just as important, she’s benefited from the community of notaries who share advice, refer clients, and even double-check details together. “We witness for each other,” she explains, adding that this network has been a huge confidence booster.

Lessons Learned and Best Practices

Even as a newer notary, Melanie has learned valuable lessons she now shares with others:

• Confirm everything with signers — call, text, and email if needed. Make sure they understand their documents, know the appointment time, and have their valid ID ready.

• Prep international clients carefully — remind them to bring passports or government-issued IDs, and clarify time zones to avoid confusion.

• Track your work — Melanie uses QuickBooks, with help from her cousin Aileen (founder of Rise of Bookkeeping), to stay on top of her income and progress.

• Adjust expectations at month-end — closings peak in the last few days, so she advises against heavy marketing at that time. Instead, focus on staying ready for the surge.

These strategies have already helped Melanie complete multiple notarizations in a single day — while keeping her schedule and client relationships on track.

Looking Ahead

So far, most of Melanie’s business comes through signing services and referrals. But she’s already had a direct client find her through Instagram, and she’s actively reaching out to title companies to expand her network. With her bilingual skills in English and Spanish — plus biometric verification capabilities for international clients — she’s positioned to keep growing in exciting directions.

Final Thoughts

Melanie’s story is proof that even as a newer notary, you can build momentum quickly when you combine the right resources, a supportive community, and consistent effort.

If you’d like to connect with Melanie directly, you can find her on Instagram and LinkedIn under Mel’s Tiny Steps LLC. And if you’re a notary who’s ready to grow your RON business, explore mentorship through Notary SWFL’s Roadmap to RON — it might just be the leap you need.