–How did you get started in the Private Investigation business?
The interest started after attending various schools while I was in the Marine Corps. Since 1998 when I graduated from college with a degree in Paralegal Studies, I have held several positions in the legal field. Among those positions were: Probation Officer and Legal Coordinator. While both of those positions did not have direct investigative responsibilities as their primary focus, investigations were part and parcel of daily life. In 2005 I took a position as an Investigator for a personal injury law firm, and after a short period of time discovered that not only did I enjoy the work immensely, but that I was also good at it. I knew it was only a matter of time before I ran my own investigation business.

–What is the size of your agency/company? How many investigations do you do on a monthly basis?
Officially, there are two employees; one full time, and one part time. I use contract investigators on a regular basis to handle larger investigations. My objective is to grow to at least four in-house investigators before the end of 2010, and 10 by the end of 2011. Over the previous eight months I have averaged four investigations per month, plus 37 successful locates.

–What is the most common type of investigation you perform?
I receive a fairly equal number of domestic involving infidelity to locating deadbeat parent cases. My two biggest cases of 2009 were personal injury cases, one of which included a three-day jury trial in Federal Court.

–What is your favorite kind of investigation and why?
I prefer to work for the plaintiff in personal injury cases. In these cases I am brought in the early stages. I assist the attorney(s) in formulating a witness interview plan. I am able to locate the witnesses, obtain taped and/or video interviews. I sit in on depositions, and confer with my client regarding any discrepancy between the interview I performed versus what they said during deposition. I also run a pre-trial - mock trial/focus group, and assist counsel in court.

–What associations do you belong to? What conferences/trade shows do you attend?
I am a member of the National Association of Investigative Specialists, and Law Enforcement Today. I have yet to attend any PI-related trade show. I am still evaluating the two state associations in Indiana.

–What other services do you offer?
I offer a full array of services. I stay busy serving process in an area that ranges from La Porte, Indiana, to Crystal Lake, Illinois. I coordinate both forensic computer investigations and polygraph examinations. I also do a fair number of GPS tracking cases.

–What is your favorite aspect of the job?
Besides making a living doing what I was meant to do, I get the most satisfaction in locating deadbeat parents who owe substantial child support. These cases are especially rewarding when the local sheriff’s department has been unable to locate the individual for years. I also enjoy receiving calls from detectives with local police departments for my help on a case.

–What is the hardest part of your day-to-day business?
Being the accounts payable, receivable, typist, receptionist, and filing clerk.

–What advice would you give to someone who is just beginning in the private investigation industry?
Find a niche, and be the best at it that you can be. Give straight talk, and provide results.

–Have you ever feared for your personal safety on the job, and if so what happened?
I do not have a tangible fear per se, but I do take precautions because of the nature of the business. Invariably, no matter how much I counsel a client, many of them sooner or later make up with the person I investigated, and tell them what they did, and who they hired. I have had more than one husband or boyfriend initiate some level of contact that was inappropriate. So far, none of those situations led to injury.

–What is the most challenging thing you’ve encountered in the business and how did you handle it? (difficult job or client, keeping the business running)
Handling clients who after retaining my services feel that I am not only their best friend, but the person they must call several times a day.

–What initially drew you to advertise with PInow.com?
Because of the success I have had with the process service component: ServeNow.com.

–What has your experience been with PInow.com?
I would give PInow.com an A-. I am very happy with my association with PInow.com, and the investment has paid for itself tenfold.

–Where do you see your business and the industry going in the future?
My vision is for the expansion to multiple cities in Indiana, and the addition of a full-time staff of investigators and admin people. I also plan on obtaining my Illinois PI license in 2010.

–What do you look forward to every day working in the Private Investigating industry?
The next challenge, the greater the more interesting and rewarding.

–What do you do outside of work?
I love to go to rock concerts, play cards, chess, play word games, throw bean bags, and spend time with friends. I am a beach junkie who can’t find time to go to the beach. I especially enjoy political debate, and legal discussion.

–What is your favorite quote?
“If you don’t like being disciplined, then discipline yourself.” ~ Thomas C. Smith