My Journey to Business Ownership

My name is Larcenia Freeman and I am the owner of Freeman Professional Services.  We provide professional services to individuals and employers.  The services that we provide are notary; live-scan fingerprinting and we added saliva drug testing.  Our live-scan and notary services are provided throughout the entire state of California and we service the rest of the country utilizing ink fingerprint cards.  I am certified with the California Department of Justice and the California Secretary of State.

My career began in the Financial Services Industry back in 1985 where I worked at a Broker Dealer firm that managed a mutual fund. I served  as a wire desk secretary taking trades from other firms.  Later I moved on and became licensed as a Life and Health insurance agent and as a registered representative with FINRA formerly known as the NASD.  I was also responsible for getting our agents licensed.  At the time the only entities that conducted background checks for the public were the police and sheriff departments.  Therefore location and availability made it difficult for working individuals to obtain background checks.  As a result, I was asked by my boss at the insurance agency to find an alternative background checks to expedite our licensing. So I researched it and found out that I could get certified as a fingerprint roller and performed the ink fingerprinting.  I then assisted our agents in getting fingerprinted so that they could get through the licensing process quicker.

However in 1995 the State of California went strictly to live-scan and no longer used the ink fingerprinting method for background checks.  I was still able to fingerprint using the traditional ink method for the FBI.

In 2001, I was diagnosed with Follicular Thyroid Cancer and after my treatment, I didn’t have the same energy and I felt I needed a change.  I felt overworked, underpaid and not appreciated.  While convalescing, I had an “ah ha” moment.  Every job I had, I worked for the CEO or VP and had much favor with them.  I said to myself “If you can help them run their company why can’t you do the same thing for yourself?”  So I did just that. I researched the cost of the equipment required and how I would market my business.  Next I  purchase my 1^st set of live-scan equipment. I had already had my notary commission since 1992 and was averaging 30 loan document signings a month, so I thought I am ready for business.  The first month as an entrepreneur, my phone didn’t ring for two weeks and it freaked me out.  I got scared, but I quickly had a come to Jesus moment and put on my big girl pants and started working for me like I did for my ex-employers.  I am an early riser so I continued my routine as if I was still working for someone else.  It took time to build the momentum.  I had to do the hard things like making phone calls, walking the pavement and knocking on doors and sending out letters.  My family and friends thought it was great that I had a home based business and they knew they could call or find me.  No! I needed to work and they really were a distraction.After the end of my 18 year marriage my doors are still open because I keep my routine, I have a strong work ethics and continue to be a sponge to learn and be mentored.  I am just as motivated today because I know my “Why” and “My Purpose”.  My purpose is to serve.  My business is a service business and I enjoy people.  My Why is my family. I have two lovely daughters and a new husband and they mean the world to me.  This is why I work so hard.  Of course I want to make lots of money and plant seeds of entrepreneurial-ship, generational wealth, work ethics and giving back to my children.