Dear Deborah:

I say go for it!  If you don't, you'll be kicking yourself for years to come, wondering what "might have been".  It's that kind of entrepreneurial spirit that's made this country great!

I speak from the experience of having been a paralegal for thirteen years, working in a title agency (as both a senior title examiner and sales executive) for six of those years, and being an independent title searcher since 2001.

Such a move is not without risk, however, as many others who have posted here will attest.  If you don't already have one, you'll want to get a good accountant, as well as an attorney to advise you on how to organize your business.  We've found that in PA, a Subchapter "S" corporation works best for us.

The best two pieces of advice I know are the ones Donald Trump always gives: #1) Love what you do.  If you don't love the job you're doing, you'll never be any good at it.  I've been searching titles for almost ten years, and been self-employed for the last four.  It's been tough at times, but I'm making a good living, and I'm having a lot of fun doing it.  I feel as though I'm doing what I was born to do.

#2), and this is most important: NEVER, NEVER, EVER QUIT!!!!! NEVER, EVER, EVER!!!!  There have been lots of times in my business life when I felt like giving up, but I hung in there and have never regretted going out on my own.  It's a great feeling to know that you've stuck to your guns and beaten the odds, despite being told that, "it can't be done".

Sorry to be so long-winded, Deborah, but I am extremely passionate about this.  From reading your post, you seem as though you have the requisite background to undertake this, and if your husband is on board, go for it.  It's a wonderful experience that promises a lot of excitement and many rewards.  But, it's not for the timid!

I wish you every success.

Regards,
Scott Perry