Today we’d like to introduce you to Amber Gist
Hi Amber, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My journey started in the classroom. I was a public school educator for over a decade, passionate about making complex concepts easy to understand and empowering students with knowledge. As an educator, I naturally gravitated toward mentorship, guiding students and families not just academically but in life skills, which led me to transition into counseling. That role deepened my ability to connect with people, provide guidance, and help them navigate important decisions.
But like many, I reached a crossroads where I wanted more—more flexibility, more financial security, and more impact beyond the four walls of a school. That’s when I discovered the notary industry. I started my notary business as a side hustle, but I quickly realized the enormous potential in loan signings, apostille services, estate planning documents, and more. Within a short time, I was able to build a thriving business that not only replaced but exceeded my former income.
As I scaled my business, I saw a gap—so many notaries were entering the field but had little to no direction on how to build a sustainable, profitable business. That’s when I launched The Notary Training Hub, an educational platform designed to teach notaries not just the skills they need to perform notarizations, but the business strategies they need to grow and scale. My background in teaching made it easy to break down complex business concepts into actionable steps that anyone could follow.
From there, my work expanded into business consulting. Notaries would come to me for guidance, but so would other entrepreneurs looking to establish and market their businesses. That led to the creation of Grit to Growth, my business consulting brand focused on helping individuals unlock their potential and scale their businesses with confidence.
Today, I wear many hats—notary business owner, educator, consultant, and speaker—but at the heart of it all, I’m a mentor. My goal is to help people create financial independence, build businesses they love, and navigate entrepreneurship with clarity and strategy. My journey from teacher to business owner was fueled by a desire for impact, and I’m just getting started!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Has it been a smooth road?
Not at all! Like most entrepreneurial journeys, mine has been filled with challenges, learning curves, and moments of doubt. Transitioning from the stability of a paycheck as an educator to the uncertainty of entrepreneurship was one of the hardest mental shifts I had to make. I went from having a structured schedule and clear expectations to having to create my own roadmap from scratch.
One of the biggest struggles in the beginning was learning how to build a business, not just do the work. Being a notary is one thing, but marketing my services, setting up systems, and attracting clients was a completely different skill set. I had to learn about branding, SEO, networking, and financial management—things that aren’t always taught in traditional education but are crucial to success.
Another challenge was overcoming self-doubt. When you step into something new, especially as an entrepreneur, imposter syndrome creeps in. There were moments I questioned whether I was making the right decisions, whether people would actually pay for my knowledge, and whether I was capable of scaling beyond just “getting by.”
Balancing business growth with life’s responsibilities was also tough. As a single mom, I had to juggle building my business while making sure I was fully present for my child. That meant a lot of late nights, early mornings, and learning how to work smarter, not harder.
Then, as I grew and started teaching others, I faced a new set of challenges: leading and scaling. The demand for education in the notary space grew fast, and I had to develop digital products, courses, and mentorship programs while still maintaining my own notary business. I learned quickly that delegation and automation were my best friends.
But despite the struggles, every challenge taught me something. I learned resilience, adaptability, and the power of betting on myself. Every setback was just a setup for a bigger breakthrough, and I wouldn’t change a thing about the journey. It made me the businesswoman I am today, and it’s why I’m so passionate about helping others navigate the path with more clarity and confidence.
Would I say it’s been smooth? No. But has it been worth it? Absolutely.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I’m the founder of The Notary Training Hub, a business education platform designed to help notaries and service-based entrepreneurs start, build, and scale their businesses with confidence. I specialize in notary business education, digital products, marketing strategies, and business consulting. Whether someone is just getting started as a notary public or looking to expand into more specialized services like loan signings, apostille facilitation, or estate planning notarizations, I provide step-by-step training that simplifies the process.
What sets me apart is my unique teaching approach—I make business education engaging, digestible, and, most importantly, fun. I’m known for combining entertainment with learning through content creation on social media, where I break down complex business concepts in an easy-to-understand (and often humorous) way. This has allowed me to connect with and inspire thousands of entrepreneurs nationwide. My ability to blend education with entertainment was even recognized on a national level—I was honored to receive the 2024 Influencer of the Year Award from the National Notary Association, an award that was voted on by the public. That recognition means the world to me because it shows that my content and educational resources are truly making an impact.
Beyond training, my brand has expanded into business consulting under my new platform, Grit to Growth, where I help entrepreneurs beyond the notary industry develop their businesses with clarity and strategy. Whether it’s through mentorship, digital products, marketing tools, or speaking engagements, my goal is to empower people to take control of their financial futures and build sustainable businesses that align with their goals.
Brand-wise, I am most proud of the community I’ve built. The notary world can feel isolating, especially for those who are self-employed, but through The Notary Training Hub and my mentorship programs, I’ve created a space where notaries and entrepreneurs can learn, grow, and succeed together.
What do I want readers to know?
If you’re a notary, I can help you turn your commission into a real business.
If you’re an entrepreneur, I can teach you how to market, scale, and automate your services.
If you love engaging, entertaining, and informative business content, follow me!
Whether you’re looking for education, digital tools, or just inspiration to step outside your comfort zone and take action, I’ve got you covered. My brand is all about empowerment, execution, and making business growth fun. Because when you enjoy the process, success follows.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is that success is built on resilience, not perfection.
When I started my entrepreneurial journey, I thought I had to have everything figured out before I could take action. I wanted the perfect website, the perfect marketing plan, the perfect services—but I quickly learned that perfection is the enemy of progress. If I had waited until I felt completely “ready,” I would have never started. The real growth happens in the doing, in taking imperfect action, learning from mistakes, and refining along the way.
I also learned that mindset is everything. Running a business isn’t just about skills or strategies—it’s about how you handle setbacks, rejection, and self-doubt. There were moments when things didn’t go as planned, when I felt like giving up, or when I questioned whether I was capable of building something bigger than myself. But every time I faced a challenge, I reminded myself: I didn’t come this far to only come this far.
Another major lesson? Consistency builds credibility. Whether in business, social media, or personal development, showing up consistently is what separates those who dream from those who succeed. I built my brand, my following, and my authority by consistently providing value, educating others, and staying committed—even on the days when it felt like no one was watching. And now? That consistency has led to national recognition, speaking opportunities, and a thriving business.
Ultimately, I’ve learned that grit is what gets you to growth. It’s not about never failing—it’s about getting back up every single time and using every challenge as a stepping stone to something greater.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.grittogrowth.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ambergist_
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmbertheNotary/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ambergist/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@GrittoGrowth
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@ambergist_
