Our Sitting Service Frequently Asked Questions

What will make me successful as a licensee?

• Demographics is important to the success of our business model. Our business model supports "destination" locations but would also do well in a location with a dense population of young families with children, pets, and elderly family members. Our target market includes: Company conventions, resorts, property rental companies, realtors, associations, local families, vacationing families, churches, military bases, childcare facilities, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, pet friendly facilities and business.
• Networking and building relationships with concierges and decision makers at various companies, resorts, hotels, and casinos is key to building demand for this service. Providing quality service consistently will provide repeat business and grow your business.
• Establishing and maintaining a positive reputation, both in the community and with vacationing families, companies and group business.
• Referrals from other licensees and satisfied customers.
• Good time management, organization, and communication skills.
• When available, using our custom software will save time, provide convenience,
  and help manage your day-to-day operations.
• Writing a business plan. (Outline provided during the process)
• Any entrepreneur needs to be a goal setter, driven and positive about what the
  future holds in their new business.

How much income can I expect to make in this business?
Revenue is generated from membership fees and hourly rates set for the location. The more sitters and customers you have in your data base, the greater the income potential. We can provide you with a spreadsheet that illustrates revenue at various levels of activity.

What can I expect as a licensee?
All licensees will be required to attend our Earth Angels Training 101 and 102. The training can be held at licensee location or at the home office of Earth Angel Enterprise. Exact location will be determined after application is reviewed. Training covers four key areas: Operation, Marketing, Budgeting and Financial Management, Human Resource. Topics such as the following are discussed during training:

• Business Startup: legal form of business, insurance and bonding
• Discussion regarding legal entity options.
• Use of our logo and trademark name: Guardian Angels Sitting Service.
• Guidance in setting up insurance and bonding coverage.
• Licensee operating manual
• Guidance in setting up the office.
• Website development, maintenance, updates and use of social media
• Marketing: strategies, materials, apparel, bags.
• Building a client base sitters/companion
• How to find, screen, train, and hire sitters.
• How to complete a background check for potential.
• Orientation procedures for your sitters.
• Guardian Angels Sitting Service Policies and Procedures.
• Billing procedures.
• Accounting, bookkeeping and taxes.
• When available: how to use our custom software to manage daily operations.

What will my typical day look like?
On a typical day you will communicate with sitters/companions regarding their schedules and availability and you will speak to families, event planners and/or group project managers to book individual sitting jobs and/or group events. It is a good idea to do some marketing with potential customers every day. Strategies on how to build relationships with customers will be covered during training. Hiring is constant so all new sitter applications and screening should be done daily as well.

What kind of ongoing support and training is available?
We prefer to send the manual to you prior to training face to face so you can read it and go through which helps you to start your list of questions on top of what we go over during EA Training 101. We are flexible with the training since everyone learns differently. We can train in sections or all at once.
After our initial Earth Angels 101 Training we like to meet for a second session of Earth Angels 102. 101 covers everything you need to get started and 102 focuses more on booking group business, events, weddings and anything that is larger than booking just an individual family on-going support will be available as requested by licensees. For the first three months following training, we will provide ongoing phone call support. Then each month after one monthly call or meeting can be set up.

How large of a geographic area will be covered by my license?

Typical geographic area will cover a 30-60-mile radius depending on your location. You are welcome to purchase more than one location if you would like to pursue areas outside of your radius.

How will our demographic area be reviewed and approved?

Earth Angels Enterprise will review the potential licensee’s demographics, as outlined on the Application, and determine if the proposed demographic area is suitable for the proven business model.

Can I operate this business out of my home?

Our business model supports a home-based business. By operating the business out of your home, your overhead will be greatly reduced. The need for a public “office” is minimal in the first few years. Many areas have virtual offices for a minimal cost if you prefer not to work in your own home full time.

Will I have employees? If yes, what will they do? Other than the sitters, who will be Independent Contractors, you will not initially need employees. As your business grows, you may require a part-time employee or intern to help with marketing, sitter recruitment, social/ media manager, or event supervisor.

How is money collected?

Invoices are used for large group functions where more than one sitter is used at the same time. Credit cards are charged for individual family services. The sitters/companions collect their fees in Cash at the time of the individual family job.

How do you conduct sitter/companion training?

Training for new sitters can be conducted either face-to-face or online. Materials and procedures for training sitters will be provided during your Earth Angels Training 101.

Part of licensing a Guardian Angels is receive everything we have designed. We have a policy and procedure manual and a safe sitter manual for our sitters that they need to go through prior to taking a job. We have quizzes that were designed to be taken after orientation as well.

Is it guaranteed that my agency will be successful?

Any new business is a risk. We believe our proven business model will help reduce the risk of a new business. Success of any business is a function of the ability and motivation of the owner, the amount of time dedicated to the business venture, demographics, market opportunity, customer satisfaction, well-trained and motivated sitters, and good financial management.

Do I have the qualifications necessary to be considered as a licensee for Earth Angels Enterprise LLC?
Our licensees are required to have a clear background check and references that support their concern and interest in care giving services. Prior business experience is helpful but not necessary. Knowledge of marketing, sales, and record keeping is recommended. Relevant work experience in the care-giving field is not required but may be an asset in helping you train sitters/companions and communicate with customers.

What skills do I need to operate a GASS of my own?

Organization, time management, communication, and interpersonal skills are highly desirable, as well as: high energy, problem solving, planning and creative thinking. Experience in marketing, sales, and record keeping is recommended but not necessary because these topics will be covered during training. Relevant work experience is desirable but not required.

I have never been a business owner. What do I need to learn to run this business? Is a college degree required?
A college degree is not required but an understanding of basic marketing, sales, and record keeping is highly recommended. These topics will be covered during our Earth Angel Training 101 and you can supplement this training with local seminars and courses, if desired.

What does the application process include....to become a licensee?

• Complete the application and submit with a $75 non-refundable application fee.
• Provide us with a professional resume that includes your work history,
  education, and a minimum of three-employer references and three-personal references. References that support your care-giving activities for children, pets and the elderly are recommended but not required.
• Authorize Earth Angels Enterprise, LLC to complete a background check, social security verification, and sex offender search.
• Complete a phone interview and or personal face to face interview with one of the two owners of the company.

Once accepted as a licensee:

• Sign a contractual agreement with Earth Angels Enterprise, LLC and pay required licensing fees as outlined in the contract. Training will be scheduled once all fees are paid in full as outlined in the contract.
• You will be required to complete Earth Angels Training 101 and 102, training courses with Earth Angels Enterprise personnel to learn how to implement our proven business model. Training can be broken up into different parts and not have to be done all in one week.
• Phone call support will be available once a month after the first three months to review licensee progress.
  

What does it cost to become a licensee for Earth Angels Enterprise LLC?
In addition to the initial application fee of $75 and the Licensing Fee of $25,000 for the first year startup expenses that would be the responsibility of the licensee. There are royalty fees collected from the licensee after the 3rd year. Royalty fees can range from 6- 9% The upfront licensing CAN be financed through Earth Angels and are willing to make it where payments can be made. The standard agreement is 5 years. Startup expenses include those items that you will spend money on before you open the doors of the business, such as: local and state business licensing, attorney fees to review agreement, computer, printer, phone, set up with a company for background checks, insurance and bonding expense, initial marketing materials, website development, travel for training.

If I attend Earth Angels Training 101 and then decide to not move forward with the business, will any of the fees be refunded?
The Application Fee is non-refundable. For the first year there is a License Fee that is non- refundable and non-transferable. Depending on which year you terminate would depend the balance owed for future royalty fees.

Why is a Business Plan required?
A Business Plan will help you be successful as a business owner. Our successful business model will guide you through the business planning process. As part of the application process, you will be researching and responding to questions relating to the local market and competitor; this research is part of a competitive analysis and is part of a Business Plan. Other parts of the Business Plan, like marketing plan, budgeting, financial projections, cash flow, will be covered during training.

How do you find good quality people to represent the agency as a sitter or companion ?
You must be very careful to screen extensively and make sure you have a good feel for sitters before accepting them into the agency. Good Judgement must be used. When we

have great sitters we love referrals from them as they typically have friends who are very similar to them in work ethic and morals etc and we offer them a referral fee for anyone they refer, pending all positive screening, acceptance into the agency and once they have worked for us for a certain amount of time. We use Job fairs, Schools for students and teachers, Referrals from other sitters, Job websites, printed material advertisements, social media and word of mouth.