On November 1st, 2024, I found myself at home trying to figure out what was next in my professional life. I had just been laid off from a company where I’d spent the last ten years. While updating my résumé, I started calling family, friends, and former colleagues—anyone who might have ideas about where I could land next. One suggestion from my Uncle stood out: “Become a Process Server.” I didn’t even know what a process server actually did, but the idea of delivering legal documents while I figured out something more permanent sounded promising. So I dove in. Over the next few weeks, I completed online classes through a JBCC‐certified Process Server Training program and the National Notary Association. I earned certifications as a Process Server, Notary, and Certified Loan Signing Agent. And then came the big question: Now what? Everything I read pointed to setting up a small business. So I did. I set up my office with a desk, laptop, and a good printer, then headed to the county courthouse to file my DBA and get an EIN. When I researched how to get work as a process server, most advice—AI tools, forums, and other servers—suggested starting with the big-box companies to gain experience and build my own client base. But after looking into their pay rates, I realized something important: What might work in a large city doesn’t always work in a Rural Area. Jobs are spread out, overhead costs are real, and the pay offered by big-box companies simply wasn’t sustainable for me. Add in the forum posts about companies not paying on time, and I knew that route wasn’t going to work. Finding My Community: TPSA Around that time, I saw a Facebook post about the Texas Process Servers Association (TPSA). They were hosting a Christmas party and welcomed anyone who RSVP’d. So I put on my favorite ugly Christmas sweater and went. I’m glad I did. The room was filled with people from all walks of life—old cowboys, business professionals, military veterans, stay‐at‐home parents—all united by a shared goal: supporting and growing the profession of certified process servers. Once I introduced myself to the board members and they learned I was brand new (I hadn’t even delivered my first document), they immediately began introducing me to everyone. Some people were guarded with their trade secrets, but most were generous with advice on how they got started and how to build a mix of clients, from process serving companies to law firms. A Mentor Who Made All the Difference At that same TPSA Christmas party, I met one of the most gracious people I’ve encountered in this profession: Joan Owen, Vice President of TPSA and owner of Hill Country Litigation Services. Joan gave me my first job assignment. Shortly after, I asked if she could mentor me. As a TPSA mentor, Joan became the person I called when I was out in the field and unsure how to handle a situation. She helped me create my first‐year rate sheet—an essential step to ensure I could attract clients while maintaining the professional and ethical standards expected of a certified process server. Growing the Business It took about three months of taking assignments from various process serving companies before I really started seeing growth. With diligence, organization, ethical practices, and simply getting out there and doing the work, things began to click. After month three, the number of assignments I received each month grew steadily. My confidence grew right along with it. I began to truly feel that I had made the right decision in becoming a Certified Process Server. Throughout the past year, I’ve met so many incredible people through TPSA who have helped me navigate everything from ethical questions to whether I was undervaluing myself—and how to adjust my contractor and law firm rates going into Year Two. Honorable Mentions A heartfelt thank‐you to those who took late‐night and weekend calls, answered questions, and helped me grow: • April Drimmel – Hill Country Litigation Services • Carol Watson – Resolute Services • Leslie Deeger – Resolute Services • Marcello Saldana – Marcello Saldana Executive Legal Solutions • Stephen Myers – Marvel Civil Process • William Altman – Fast Action Process Thank You, TPSA Your support, guidance, and community made my first year not only possible, but successful. Brian Munoz Dependable Documents dependable-documents.com