Fear, the Best Teacher ( a little long/short story)

Every single time I stumble across a new marketing idea, it’s like the universe dares me to face my fears. And let me tell you, marketing terrifies me. Every. Single. Time.

Reaching out to estate planning attorneys had been on my mind for a while. There was one attorney, in particular, whose work I’d been following online. I’d read an article he wrote about the complexities of estate planning in blended families, and I found it fascinating. His thoughtful approach to such delicate situations really stood out. I decided to use that as my starting point.

I drafted my first email, referencing his article and expressing how much I admired his insights. Then, I shared a little about myself—how I specialize in making the notarization process seamless and stress-free for clients dealing with emotional or complex estate planning matters. I closed with a polite invitation for a coffee meeting, hoping to discuss how I could support his practice.

After I hit send, the nerves kicked in. Would he respond? Was this too forward? The doubts were loud, but then a reply landed in my inbox a few days later: "Jennifer, thank you for your kind words about my article. Your work sounds interesting—let’s keep in touch."

That reply turned into a back-and-forth over several weeks. Each time, I made sure to add value to the conversation, sharing little insights about notarization that might benefit his practice. The exchanges felt natural and built a sense of trust. Finally, after a particularly engaging thread, he suggested we meet for coffee to discuss things in more detail.

That coffee date became the turning point. Over lattes, we discussed the challenges his clients often faced with legal documents and how having a dependable notary could alleviate some of the pressure. I shared stories of how I’ve helped other attorneys streamline their processes and ensure client satisfaction.

By the end of the meeting, we’d clicked. Not long after, he started sending referrals my way. I quickly realized that I could also send business his way. Over the course of the next year, I referred over 30 of my notary clients to him—individuals looking for solid legal advice on their estate plans. Most of them ended up hiring him.

In return, he sent me over 60 estate signings, trusting me with the complex documents that came through his office. It was a perfect balance of mutual support.

That relationship didn’t just grow my business—it deepened my confidence. Every single time I push through the fear of reaching out, even when it feels uncomfortable, I find opportunities waiting on the other side. Fear may never leave, but I’ve learned to see it for what it is: the door to the next big thing. All I have to do is step through.

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