Today we’d like to introduce you to Ericka Davis.
“Whatever you choose to do, do it with faith and passion and love and all things will be bestowed unto you.” This was something Ericka Davis’ grandmother said to her often and it is what has fueled her entrepreneurial zest. Even as a youth, Ericka had no problem commanding an audience and expressing herself verbally and in written form. As early as 11 years old, she served as a junior secretary at her church reading announcements and speaking at various annual programs. One of her most memorable childhood achievements, she recalls, was participating in the annual Jackson Oratory Contest hosted by the local city hall in her hometown of Jackson, MI. She ranked 1st place throughout junior and senior high school, where she first submitted an essay and, once selected, would perform this as a speech at the area mall. She stated, “even then, I knew to use my fear as fuel.”
Fast forward to Las Vegas 2009, after yet another company that she worked for crashed, Ericka began searching for ways to not depend 100% on employment. It was at that time she discovered the requirements to become a Nevada notary and the potential income. She combined her legal document creation expertise with her newfound notary license and was born- Expertise Legal Documents and Notary. No, becoming a notary is not an over-night get rich quick scheme, but it is a reputable business that truly offers unlimited income. For the next six years, she slowly built a business that became known throughout the Las Vegas Valley as the go-to lady. In addition to general notary services, she also trained and became a certified tax preparer and increased her credentials to become a notary signing agent. As a notary signing agent, she is responsible for working with individuals and business for highly sensitive real estate loan documents and to ensure they are executed by the borrower, notarized, and returned for processing on time. This is very crucial during the buying or refinancing process.
In July 2016, she attended a small, private wedding ceremony of a dear friend. The officiant, although looked beautiful flustered the couple’s names twice and laughed during their vows (it wasn’t a funny moment). Ericka states it was then and there she knew this was something she knew she could offer and then couples with fond memories of their ceremonies. In October 2016, she became an ordained minister through both the Universal Life Church and the American Marriage Ministries. In November 2016, she rebranded as Expertise Services and Weddings and established her officiant and full-service document and notary business with the City of Las Vegas, Clark County, State of Nevada and became a member of the Las Vegas Marriage Bureau.
In 2017, she conducted her first ceremony that January and by New Year’s Eve completed 101 ceremonies. She quit her full-time corporate job that previous May and dedicated herself 100% to her business. She offers her signature services: The Expertise Say & Sign, Quickie Elopement, Simple & Sweet and the grand Friends & Family ceremonies. In 2018, as a 1st year wedding officiant received both the coveted Wedding Wire’s Couples Choice and The Knot’s Best of Weddings. In 2018, at the height of her business, Ericka and her husband, Mark, made a drastic decision and moved to Houston to be closer to Mark’s mother, who is in the end years of dementia. For the next year, she made several commutes between Las Vegas and Houston, conducting everything from intimate ceremonies to helicopter ceremonies to the Grand Canyon. She established her business in Houston and performed her first ceremony for a couple where one of the spouse’s went to school with her stepmother in Michigan. Houston is a much different wedding market than Las Vegas but nevertheless conducted 16 ceremonies that first year. She was then awarded in both 2019 and 2020 the Expertise.com Best Wedding Officiants of Houston recognition. Also, in 2020, she opened her calendars for other domestic and international destinations. Outside of Texas, Nevada and her home state of Michigan, where she has performed three weddings, Expertise Weddings can perform ceremonies in 19 other states and abroad.
When Ericka is not marrying couples, she enjoys spending time with her husband of eight years by eating at various restaurants. She says they are Foodies and love traveling. They have traveled all over the U.S., visited Toronto and enjoyed several cruises to Mexico. She says their favorite city is Las Vegas but this year, they are looking forward to flying to the Dominican Republic for their anniversary in December.
Has it been a smooth road?
This biggest hurdle was re-establishing a booming business in a not so booming market. Having to build up a new network is definitely a ground-shaking experience. Has the road been smooth- no. But honestly, is anything that is really worthy of attaining easy? Now ask me if it is worth it and 11 times out of 10, the answer would be YES!
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Expertise Services and Weddings story. Tell us more about the business.
Minister Ericka Davis is an ordained minister, notary signing agent and certified legal document and tax preparer. She has served Las Vegas since 2010 and Houston since 2018. Attention to detail and a strong sense of what amazing customer service is what sets Expertise, Services and Weddings apart from another other service. That in addition to her high level of expertise, she has performed over 250 wedding ceremonies with 101 being in the first year. She is the recipient of the following accolades in her industry the Wedding Wire’s Couples Choice, The Knot’s Best of Weddings and the Expertise.com Best Wedding Officiants of Houston recognition.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
When I look at the wedding industry, I try not to look at too many forecasts and trends. I try to connect with my couples and in a way that ensures them, they are my priority. This, in turn, has led to many, many referrals and amazing reviews. I know that people everywhere will continue to get married. I want couples to know their are options in who marries them and where.
Pricing:
- Expertise Friends & Family Ceremony $350
- Expertise Simple & Sweet Ceremony $250
- Expertise Quickie Elopement Ceremony $150
- Expertise Say & Sign Ceremony $100
- 30 minute- Free Consultation
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.expertiseweddings.com/
- Phone: 725-696-3536
- Email: inquiry@expertiseweddings.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expertiseweddings/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ExpertiseWeddings
- Other: https://linktr.ee/ErickaDavis
Image Credit:
Mark Davis. Pat Rogers/MilesYoung.
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