Tulsa's Seeking Sitters Growing Across The U.S.

By Emory Bryan, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- A Tulsa-based baby sitter referral service is growing.  The company is expanding across the country through franchising.  A lot of people are looking for a second income and something they can do from home.  And, that's been part of the success for Seeking Sitters. 

Their 38th location opens soon in Albany, New York.

A class on marketing was the end of a three and a half day training session for Lori Flynn.  She joined Seeking Sitters after struggling to find a babysitter when she moved to Albany, New York.

"We were most comfortable with family, but moving into a new area, we needed to find a new solution," said Seeking Sitters franchisee Lori Flynn.

Flynn and her husband are now the newest franchisees.  Flynn believes they will make money and have time for their own children.

"We're going to have a business now that is flexible where I can still be their mom, go to all the events and soccer games, but then also provide the service to our families," said Seeking Sitters franchisee Lori Flynn.

12/14/2008 Related Story: Women Turn To Seeking Sitters For Extra Cash

David Kallweit, the co-founder of Seeking Sitters, says the company is quickly expanding nationwide.

"The need is not just in Tulsa, the need is in Oklahoma City, Seattle, people looking for quality child care they can rely on," said David Kallweit with Seeking Sitters.

An online booking system makes it convenient for families to connect with a pre-screened babysitter.  The minimum fee is $10.75 an hour, for four hours, plus a membership fee.  The sitters come prepared to handle children of any age and have the assurance the family has been screened as well.

"The difference in ours is the background checks do on our sitters, not just an online screening and we make it safe for our sitters by checking out the families, so they're going into a safe situation every time," said David Kallweit with Seeking Sitters.

Flynn plans to get her new business going soon, while Seeking Sitters plans to keep expanding from Tulsa to wherever someone needs a babysitter.

It takes about $25,000 minimum to get the franchise started.  The company says all of the franchises so far are managed by women with children of their own.

Visit Seeking Sitters' website for more information.