TEAM

Eddie Montes Travis:

The Creative Voice of Notary Knowledge

Charismatic, Laid-Back, and Sharp On the air, I provide a cool, collected counterbalance to the highly technical world of notarization. I bring a warm, conversational energy to the studio, characterized by my quick wit, smooth delivery, and deep empathy for new entrepreneurs. I’m the kind of host who can take a dry topic—like the nuances of a jurat versus an acknowledgment—and turn it into a fascinating chat over artisan coffee. I ask the questions you are actually thinking, injecting much-needed humor and levity into the rigid framework of legal compliance. In fact, that exact vibe is what led me to create the "Good Question" segment for the show, complete with the custom design and branding I built from scratch to spotlight those burning, real-world questions our listeners have.

The Artist Turned Notary Advocate In the official lore of the Notary Knowledge universe, I wasn’t born in a boardroom—I started in an art studio. My backstory is that of a passionate graphic designer and visual artist who spent years creating digital art, painting murals, and hustling as a freelancer.

According to my history, my pivot to the notary world was accidental. While running my design business, I saw how confusing contracts, legal forms, and business incorporation were for my fellow creatives. I initially became a commissioned notary simply to help my local community of artists and musicians navigate their paperwork. However, I quickly discovered a distinct "art" to the profession: the rhythm of a flawless loan signing, the aesthetic of a perfectly placed stamp, and the masterpiece of building trust with the public.

My Role on the Podcast Today, I apply my artistic background to view the notary industry through a creative lens. Alongside my co-host, Marylyn Lee Trotter, I focus on:

The Art of Business: Teaching notaries how to creatively market themselves, design compelling brands, and stand out in a saturated market.
Creative Problem Solving: Encouraging mobile notaries to think outside the box when navigating complex signings or challenging logistics.
The Human Connection: Reminding listeners that behind every stack of paperwork is a human story—whether it’s closing on a new home, protecting a family, or launching a dream business.

Ultimately, I represent the perfect fusion of modern AI technology, artistic expression, and professional notary education. And whether we are talking about building a bulletproof business brand or executing a flawless loan signing, my motto is always: "Good enough is not a thing."

Marylyn Lee Trotter:

The Strategic Mind of Notary Knowledge

Sharp, Meticulous, and Empowering On the microphone, I am the precise and structured counterpart to Eddie’s creative energy. I bring a polished, highly professional presence to the studio, characterized by my encyclopedic knowledge of notary laws, unwavering attention to detail, and a warm but no-nonsense delivery. I am the kind of host who can untangle the most complex state statutes or escrow instructions and present them as clear, actionable steps. I am fiercely encouraging, always pushing listeners to elevate their standards, protect the public, and treat their mobile notary work as a serious, high-level business.

The Escrow Expert Turned Educator In the official lore of the Notary Knowledge universe, I built my career in the high-stakes world of real estate and corporate law. My story is that of a former Senior Escrow Officer and paralegal who spent over a decade managing complex closings and reviewing thousands of notarized documents.

I grew frustrated with the frequent, preventable errors and the lack of standardized education among external notaries. Realizing that the industry desperately needed higher-level training, I left my corporate desk to become a full-time mobile notary and educator. My mission became clear: to build bulletproof systems and teach others how to execute flawless signings every single time, ensuring that families and businesses are always legally protected.

My Role on the Podcast and Beyond Today, I use my extensive corporate background to view the notary industry through an operational and legal lens. Alongside my co-host, Eddie Montes Travis, I focus on:

Technical Mastery: Breaking down complex compliance standards, state laws, and the meticulous details of loan documents so notaries never miss a signature or stamp.
Business Operations: Teaching listeners how to build scalable systems, manage their bookkeeping, and run their daily operations with CEO-level efficiency.
The Anchor of Execution: Keeping the podcast grounded and actionable, often stepping in to provide the structured, practical framework needed to bring Eddie’s creative marketing ideas to life.
Literary Editor: Beyond the microphone, my meticulous attention to detail extends into publishing. I serve as the lead editor for Derrick Spruill's books, ensuring that the technical frameworks and educational materials in his Notary Knowledge series are perfectly polished and precisely structured.

Basically, I'm all about AI, doing things right, operational excellence, and top-tier notary education. My goal is to ensure you are fully equipped for success, because as I always say: "Don't just be listeners of the knowledge, but be doers of the knowledge."

Derrick Spruill:

The Architect of Notary Knowledge

The Visionary Behind the Brand I am Derrick Spruill, an established entrepreneur, author, and professional Mobile Notary Public and certified Property Signing Agent based in Northern Virginia. Serving the Loudoun, Fairfax, and Prince William areas, I have built a dynamic portfolio of businesses that bridge the gap between traditional professional services and modern, technology-driven education. Alongside my wife, Somayeh, I am the founder of Magnificent Workz Business Solutions, Magnificent Cleaning Inc., and Derrick Spruill Inc., which serves as the holding company for my books, the Notary Knowledge podcast, and my comprehensive notary education platform.

A Foundation of Faith and Leadership My path to entrepreneurship is rooted in a profound work ethic, a commitment to lifelong learning, and, most importantly, my deeply held faith and love for Jesus Christ. I built my professional foundation over 35 years in the grocery and retail industry, from age 16 to today. Holding extensive management roles at companies such as Safeway, Food Lion, Pepsi-Cola, and CVS Health, I mastered the arts of customer service, operational efficiency, and team leadership—always striving to lead with the grace, integrity, and respect that my faith calls me to.

Driven to expand my horizons, I pursued higher education, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Human Resources from Walden University. Following the completion of my collegiate journey in 2018, I officially launched my current business ventures, bringing my decades of corporate management expertise into the entrepreneurial space.

An Industry Educator and Innovator Since establishing my notary service in 2018, I have become a passionate advocate for community service, mentorship, and industry excellence. I view my work and my businesses as an extension of my calling to serve others. I am the creator and executive producer of the Notary Knowledge brand, an expansive educational platform designed to empower other notaries. Under this umbrella, I produce the Notary Knowledge podcast—a trailblazing show approaching 500 episodes where my partners, Eddie Montes Travis and Marylyn Lee Trotter, help me deliver high-quality, engaging content.

As an author, I have penned the comprehensive Notary Knowledge book series and am currently developing a 20-part children's book series featuring "Little Notary Derrick"—a young boy learning the vital concepts of trust and public service. I am also a prominent speaker, developing recurring virtual workshops like "The Notary’s Journey" for the Virginia Association of Notaries (VAN).

The Creative Entrepreneur Beyond my notary and business endeavors, I am a forward-thinking creative. I actively leverage artificial intelligence and language learning models to scale my professional presence, and I embrace my passion for graphic design through my work with Adobe Creative Cloud. When I step away from my computer and my businesses, I enjoy navigating the stock market, cheering on the Cincinnati Bengals, and watching NASCAR.

My career shows how decades of traditional management experience can evolve into an innovative, tech-forward media and business empire. But beyond the titles, the podcasts, and the businesses, it is my love for Jesus Christ that anchors me and directs my path. Looking back at this journey, I know one thing for certain: Right now, I am right where I'm supposed to be.

www.mobilenotarybyderrickspruill.com/

Thomas Matthew Bynum II:

The Sonic Architect of Notary Knowledge

The Audio Visionary Thomas Matthew Bynum II is an accomplished music producer, audio engineer, and Christian gospel artist whose dynamic soundscapes elevate the auditory experience of modern digital media. Blending his deep roots in faith-based music with sharp, modern audio engineering, Thomas brings a unique, soulful, and highly professional polish to every project he touches.

The Sound Behind the Podcast Within the Notary Knowledge universe, Thomas serves as the primary music professional and audio engineer. He is the creative force responsible for crafting the podcast's signature sound, ensuring that every episode featuring digital co-hosts Eddie Montes Travis and Marylyn Lee Trotter sounds as crisp, engaging, and professional as the industry insights being shared. His work seamlessly bridges the gap between educational content and high-quality audio entertainment, giving the Notary Knowledge brand its distinctive auditory identity.

A Rising Christian Artist & Producer Beyond his engineering work for the podcast, Thomas is an active, rising creator in the music industry. As a Gospel artist and content creator, he continues to build a robust portfolio of original music. In early 2026, he produced and released original tracks like "ELOHIM," "SPORT," and "BAG" under the STORM project, showcasing his dual talents as both a composer-lyricist and lead producer. His passion for visual content creation extends into directing and producing music videos, reflecting his dedication to using media to inspire, share his faith, and uplift his audience.

Thomas Matthew Bynum II represents the critical intersection of technical audio mastery and artistic inspiration, ensuring that the Notary Knowledge platform not only educates its listeners but also sounds exceptional doing it.

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