Caitlin Clow
Contributor
Meghann Hutton opened up shop in Revelstoke in 2007 to serve the community as its only notary public.
Before that, though, she was working on Vancouver Island in fisheries.
“I always thought I wanted to work outside…It’s fine in summer,” she said with a laugh.
She always had an interest in real estate and law – something that was perhaps inherited from her father whose background was in hotels and hospitality – but with an undergrad already under her belt, she wasn’t prepared to go back to school for four more years.
She signed up for the two-year notary program.
“It was a bit tricky,” she admitted. “I didn’t have the background in it. A lot of people had experience in related fields but I didn’t necessarily have that so it took a lot more persistence on my end to get through it.”
She was living in Uculuet on Vancouver Island when she completed the program and at that time, she explained, a notary could only practice where a seal was available.
Revelstoke was available.
“I grew up in Banff so I missed the mountains,” she said, noting she moved to the island in 1996. “So this was a good move for me that way.”
Starting a new business in a new place wasn’t without its challenges.
“I was learning still,” she said. “While the business wasn’t profitable, I could learn from it all.”
As she was slowly growing Meghann Hutton Notary Corporation’s clientele she could take her time and learn from each case and tweak her business, like taking on more staff, to ensure she’s meeting the needs of her workload.
She says she has a great team of women now who are able to meet the needs of Revelstokians for everything from creating a will to handling your real estate needs.
On top of her volunteer work, Meghann also quickly joined several boards including the Revelstoke Chamber of Commerce, Revelstoke Community Foundation, Arts Council and Revelstoke District Humane Society.
“It helped me grow my business by raising awareness of me and my values. It helped people gain trust in me and my whole job is based on me and trust in me.”
She’s since had to step back as her own work picked up and she started her family.
Meghann said finding work-life balance has always been tricky, but it helps that she and her husband, Joel, are both business owners and can have a flexible schedule.
“Striking work-life balance is tricky, but it’s something I’m still working on,” said Meghann. “I know that if I take that time off somewhere, it has to be added on somewhere else.”
Blocking time off in the evenings when she won’t check her work inbox is one way she said she’s balancing the scale.
In order to unwind, Meghann said she loves to get outside with her dog, Tupper.
Meghann, Joel, their two kids and Tupper also love getting away in the summer to their cabin.
Reading is another great pastime, she said.
“I’ve always liked reading and this year I have a friend who tried to encourage me to read my age in books,” she said.
“That’s 44 books this year!”
When asked who she draws inspiration from, Meghann said she’s surrounded by inspirational people.
“My parents are big inspirations,” she said.
“I look to them with anything I need and they’ve always been there for me. Dad’s still working and he loves what he does.
“My mom is the most friendly and genuine. My husband, too.
“He’s great at what he does and in business and if I ever have questions, I look to him.”
READ MORE: Women of Inspiration: Striking a work-life balance
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josh.piercey@revelstokereview.com
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