21 - Michael Santos | Mighty Process Server

Michael Santos is a seasoned career process server who began his journey in California and recently expanded to Salem, Oregon. Known for his storytelling, he shares both the emotional and humorous sides of the job — from difficult moments serving people during hard times to a memorable encounter serving a subpoena to a stripper using clever persuasion. Michael discusses the stark differences between building a business in California versus Oregon, his strategies for navigating challenges, and his commitment to professionalism. With decades of experience, he emphasizes honesty, strong navigational skills, and respectful communication as keys to success in the industry. 00:00 Introduction & Michael's background 01:30 Growing up in a family of process servers 03:45 Worst field experience: serving during personal tragedy 07:10 The emotional reality of serving papers 09:40 Treating servees as people, not paperwork 11:30 Funniest serve: subpoena at a strip club 16:10 Professionalism and verbal control in tense situations 18:40 Relocating from California to Oregon & starting over 22:00 Major legal differences between CA and OR process serving 25:10 Safety, body cameras, and self-protection in the field 27:40 Tools, software, and skip trace tactics 29:30 Client acquisition: targeting paralegals, not attorneys 31:00 Final advice for Server Nation