PROFILE OF A BC NOTARY

Jackie Tait

Iam the baby of a family of seven children to Don and Emily Cadrin who owned a very large farm and ranch in Meota, Saskatchewan.

We are a very close and loving family who stand by and support each other no matter what. Our parents retired from farming and moved the family to Chilliwack in 1974 when I was 4. I have never even considered living anywhere else. Chilliwack is home and I love my community.

I attended school with the same group of kids for most of my life and am still best friends with my childhood pal Mary, whom I have known since I was 9. I recall wanting to be a novelist when I grew up; I loved to write stories but figured early on that I had better choose a career that made more money!

My mentors in life were my parents and siblings who range in age from 15 to 8 years older than I am. They all helped my parents bring me up and taught me by example how to be a kind, honest, reliable, and hardworking person.

I am especially grateful to my oldest sister Lois, and Don, her husband of 42 years, who co-parented me and have been my biggest supporters throughout all of life’s ups and downs, including the death of Mom and Dad.

Simpson Notaries were business mentors for me. During my 20 years of working with them, I learned Bob Simpson’s fundamental business philosophy . . . always go above and beyond to deliver excellent customer service!

I had always regretted I did not continue my university education after getting my BA in Political Science from UBC straight after high school. Feeling restless and unfulfilled in my 20-year career, I was sorting papers during Christmas break 2009 when I came across a letter that my mother, who passed away in 2007, had written to me when I was 17 and trying to decide what to do with my life.

She said not to let fear of failure prevent me from attempting something new and challenging. She said that even if you fail, you will know in your heart you gave it your best try and, if you succeed, it will “give you a feeling of self beyond words.” It hit me that Mom was telling me I should take the BC Notary program!

In our family, we were always taught to give everything in life our best effort and to set ourselves up for success through careful preparation and organization. Both my parents took immense pride in doing a job thoroughly and well and they modelled that for us throughout their lives.

When I was in Grade 3, I was tested at school for an opportunity to become part of a specialized “Enrichment Program,” designed to challenge children with advanced learning skills. I was in the program from Grade 4 to Grade 7. I attribute my ability to achieve a high level of academic success in large part to that program; it was stimulating and the participants were highly competitive. I was self-motivated, always loved school, and never needed to be pestered to study, but being a part of that program definitely drove me even more.

Mom Dad

My friend and fellow BC Notary Cheryl Bennewith was a tremendous cheerleader and supporter throughout the BC Notary education course and the start of my solo practice. She is my sounding board on a daily basis and Roving Notary to cover my holidays.

I approached studying for the six Notary statutory exams like any other job. I plotted a strategy for each day and each week during the 6 weeks leading to the exams and systematically carried out the strategy. Like anything else in life, success in academics is derived from hard work and discipline. It was hugely timeconsuming, but it paid off!

I am so grateful for my husband Kevin, the most loving and supportive partner; he supports me 100 per cent in life and in my business. He was so patient throughout the Notary Education Program, always understanding that I needed to focus all my energies on my studies and doing whatever he could to help me achieve success. I could not have done it without him!

It sounds cliché, but it’s definitely the people. Running a BC Notary practice can be hectic and stressful, especially when the real estate market is hopping, but when I chat with my clients, get to know them, and hopefully share a laugh, I really enjoy it.

I especially like doing estate planning with my senior clients. They have such interesting stories and unique views on life. It feels really good when they tell me how much better they feel knowing their legal affairs are in order.

I always think about how important it was to my parents to have things in order for us kids before they died. They never wanted to be a burden to us and wanted things to go as smoothly as possible after their deaths. So I respect and understand the needs of my clients to provide that reassurance for their families.

I have mentored a number of Notary students and like doing it. From what I have told you about my parents, it probably comes as no surprise that I love sharing my knowledge and teaching people what I know about being successful.

I have been very fortunate to mentor some really great Notary students. It is very fulfilling to me when they express their excitement about learning and their gratitude for the opportunity to gain some insight into, and learn the skills involved in, running a busy Notary practice.

I also really enjoy teaching the conveyancing course as part of the practical training for the BC Notary Education Program. I am proud to give back to my profession and to assist the next generation of Notaries to be part of our Tradition of Trust.

My hobbies are travelling, reading, cooking, entertaining, and shopping! A bit of a workaholic, I am working on spending more time doing things that bring me joy.

Living a life that would make my parents proud . . . always doing what you say you will do, much like the undertakings we give daily as BC Notaries. Being reliable, hardworking, and taking pride in what you do. Having gratitude for your good fortune and sharing with others the gifts you have been given.

Also, it is very important to me to nurture close relationships with friends and family because, without them, it doesn’t matter what you achieve in business. What fuels me is being there 100 per cent for the people who count on me, whether they are my clients, friends, or family. Any job in life is not worth doing if you don’t do it well.

Thanks, Mom and Dad. s