Sean Gentile was born in Worcester, Massachusetts and moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida with her family when she was ten years old. After high school, Sean studied at Florida International University, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree, and then American Intercontinental University, where she earned a Master’s degree in Business.
Currently, Sean is a Certified Florida Supreme Court Family Mediator, as well as a successful entrepreneur. She is the founder and owner of Non-Attorney Divorce, a company that prides itself on supplying service and support with Family Court documents, including divorce, modifications, time sharing with children, notary services, and process serving. Non-Attorney Divorce also offers complimentary follow-ups on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.
Sean Gentile’s professional strengths are paying special attention to detail, validating feelings, and maintaining a seven-day-per-week availability for her clients. She takes great care to impress upon her team the importance of maintaining the highest customer service standards. All totalled, Sean has been in the business of helping people for 22 years.
Outside of her roles as a Certified Florida Supreme Court Family Mediator and business owner, Sean Gentile is also the author of several graphic books which analyze human behavior. Some of the titles that bear her name are the acclaimed 100 Effective Ways to Collect Child Support, and her newest effort, Pilot Max’s Betrayal.
Where did the idea for Non-Attorney Divorce come from?
When I experienced the child support system, I thought that it could benefit from improvement. I wanted to see what I could do to help people through the process.
What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?
I file documents in court during the day, so I get my client’s cases prepared at night. I try to keep all the relevant paperwork ready in order to always stay one step ahead of things. I greet my clients at the door at the beginning of their appointments and then I walk them to the door when they leave.
How do you bring ideas to life?
With my graphic books, I choose a topic that interests me, then I confer with my artist and we sketch out the drawings. Once the manuscript is ready to publish, I meet with the publishing house and we come to an agreement to publish it for the public to see.
What’s one trend that excites you?
I enjoy reaching out to customers in as many ways as possible, so I’m excited about whatever new technology can make that happen.
What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?
From the moment I wake up in the morning until I go to bed at night, I’m always ‘on.’ That means I’m constantly asking my clients what they need and how I can help them. The only time I stop is when I’m pursuing continuing education, which I believe is not only valuable to me, but also ultimately benefits my clients and the company.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I would tell my younger self to start working earlier. If I could go back in time and do things differently, I would like to have started doing what I’m doing now during my teenage years.
Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.
Living for my cause.
As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?
Be nice to your clients and allow them to express themselves freely. During the course of conducting my business, I’ve had people come into the office who were feeling agitated about their divorce and, as long as it’s not abusive toward my team or myself, I let them express their feelings. As a creative person, I appreciate and enjoy all forms of expression.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?
We have a great referral program. I would recommend cultivating one to any business owner.
What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?
None that I can think of.
What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Whatever career you choose to pursue, make sure that you love what you do. It makes it much easier to stay the course and keep at it for the long term.
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?
When I thank customers for referrals, I use personalized and special gift cards. I invest right back in the customer.
What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive?
The company maintains a website where people can contact us. By visiting nonattorneydivorce.com, people can inquire about our services, as well as find parenting classes, if needed.
What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?
It all depends on what someone is looking for. I wrote 100 Effective Ways to Collect Child Support and that text offers many great tips for someone who is trying to find out how to collect child support. Personally, I also enjoy reading sales books and absorbing the information that those provide.
What is your favorite quote?
“Ask for the moon!”
Key Learnings:
- It pays great dividends to act quickly and to be tenacious.
- As long as clients are not abusive, allow them to freely express themselves.
- Loving what you do for a living makes it much easier to continue with it over the long term.
Steve (Stefan) Junge hails from Germany and helps with the day-to-day publishing of interviews on IdeaMensch. While he and Mario don’t share a favorite soccer club, their enthusiasm to help entrepreneurs is a shared passion.