– by Barry Mathias –
This is part of a rotating series of articles on members of Sidney Meet Up Women’s Networking Group, featuring women in business on the Saanich Peninsula.
Salvador Davis & Co. is renowned as the Notaries Public for Sidney for two reasons: their excellent history of client relationships, and the fact that they are an all-women practice. Laurie Salvador, the chief partner, is happy to confirm the first reason: “80 percent of our business comes from ‘word-of-mouth’ recommendations.” She agrees it is the most powerful form of advertising.
“We didn’t set out to be an all-women firm,” Laurie explains. “It just happened.” Laurie spends much of her time mentoring notary students at Simon Fraser University. “I’m teaching a young man in the notary class at the University, and it is very likely he will join our firm.” He will be the first male in the firm since John Salvador, Laurie’s father, founded it in 1968.
“My father urged me to consider being a notary,” Laurie smiles. “I thought it would be boring, but I soon realized that it was anything but!” She discovered that the essence of the job involved getting to know the clients. “Every person is different,” and each case revealed a variety of problems and successes.
In 1986, Laurie Salvador took over the practice from her father, and shared the partnership with Susan Davis, who worked with her as a notary for the next 14 years, eventually becoming a Notarial Assistant, specializing in sub-divisions. In 2000 Lisa Ehrlich became a partner in the practice, and specializes in conveyance. Laurie has always focused on the areas of estate and incapacity planning, dealing mainly with older clients, “I am keen to help in adult guardianship matters,” she says.
Laurie explains why people might go to a notary rather than a lawyer: “People come to notaries because we are approachable,” she says. “Clients can share their stories with us, and not feel that the clock is ticking. We do not charge by the minute.” In most cases, lawyers’ charges are based on the time spent on the case.
There is an unmistakable enthusiasm that Laurie brings to her job. She describes how she approached the advent of computers: “In 1986 it was unusual for an office to have a computer.” However, she quickly embraced the ‘new age:’ “I have always loved new things, and computers were wonderful.” In former days, people often made mistakes when typing legal letters; “this involved the constant use of ‘liquid wipe-out.’ But when computers arrived, everything was fast, easily altered and accurate.” Laurie remembers her partner was not keen to change to the use of computers. “I had to insist,” she jokes.
Laurie is well known at speaking engagements, where she explains the complexities of estate planning. If you have legal problems, then Laurie Salvador can help.
