Lindsay Rose here! Agency President, Co-Founder of Scout Reference, and someone who has loved this industry for a long time.
A few conferences ago, I was sitting behind two experienced, well-respected agency owners, women I deeply admire. They were chatting about industry tools and landed on Scout. And then I heard one of them say, “Isn’t that the AI company that just runs everything through a robot?”
I sat there, half horrified and half heartbroken because I knew in that moment we had not done a good enough job of telling you who we are and what we actually do.
So hear my heart…I’ve been exactly where many of you are—juggling reference calls between school pickups, candidate interviews, and backend operations. I’ve felt that stuck-on-the-hamster-wheel feeling, trying to grow our business while keeping every single plate spinning. Scout was born out of a genuine desire to serve agencies whose frustration was impossible to ignore. We saw a real problem that almost every agency faced, and we built something-for you.
Because here’s the truth: We believe in this community. I’ve seen firsthand the brilliance, compassion, and grit of APNA agency owners. And I want your businesses to thrive, not just survive. I want to free up your time so you can lead with vision instead of burnout. Scout reference is about about creating space for agency owners to do what they do best—Serving families across the globe
First: Scout is not a robot. We don’t use AI to collect references. We’re a team of real people who pick up the phone and call references every single day. Sure, we use a spell check tool like everyone else, but our process is 100% human from start to finish. Our team is personally trained by me and my co-founders, Kim and Jim Winblood, drawing from our combined 37 years of experience in the industry. We know exactly how critical references are to making successful placements—and we treat them with the care and attention they deserve.
So let’s debunk a few more myths while we’re at it.
Myth 1: “Scout doesn’t actually call references.”
Yes, we absolutely do. Every reference is called by one of our experienced team members. No robo-calls, no AI-generation, not auto-filled. These are real conversations, led by trained professionals who know how to dig deeper and ask thoughtful follow-up questions. This is not a one-size-fits-all approach.
Myth 2: “Scout just sends forms.”
Again, every single reference that comes through Scout is called by a real, trained human on our team. That said, some references choose to complete a secure digital form instead—and we respect their time and preference. Imagine a high-level executive who’s balancing a demanding day job and a busy home life. She may not be able to step away for a call, but at 10:00 p.m., when the house is quiet and she finally has a moment, she takes the time to thoughtfully reflect on her family’s beloved nanny. We see this all the time, detailed, heartfelt responses submitted late at night, often longer and more insightful than a rushed phone call might allow.
And as for the idea that forms are easier to fake? Actually, phone calls are often more susceptible to false information. That’s why we’ve built in multiple safeguards—tracking IP addresses, reviewing every word manually, and spotting red flags faster than most agencies can in-house. We still catch fake references on calls too, using follow-up questions and listening carefully for pauses or vague answers. The truth is, forms aren’t a shortcut. They’re a thoughtful, flexible tool we use alongside our phone calls to deliver high-quality references faster and more securely than ever.
Myth 3: “My agency is too unique. Scout wouldn’t work for us.”
Actually, we built Scout to work for any agency. Every reference form is fully customizable. You decide the questions. You choose the categories. You tell us what matters most to your agency, and we build around that. We’re here to guide if you need support, but ultimately, your questions are completely your own.
Myth 4: “Scout can’t be faster than my team.”
Oh, but we can. Because references are all we do. We have a dedicated team that works on them every single day. Our average turnaround is under 2 days, and just last week our response time averaged 1.14 days across all agencies.
Myth 5: “Scout won’t save me money.”
Actually, we can! And it adds up faster than most agency owners realize. Let’s say you have a recruiter earning $60,000 a year. If they’re spending even 60–65% of their time chasing references, that’s roughly $39,000 a year dedicated just to reference checks. That’s a huge chunk of payroll going toward a task that can be streamlined and outsourced.
Myth 6: “Scout won’t save me time.”
Think about it, one candidate typically has 3–4 references. Multiply that by just 5 candidates a week, and you’re easily looking at 100+ follow-ups and 20+ hours spent on reference work alone. That’s time you could be using to build relationships, grow your team, or focus on placements. Time is one of your most valuable resources, and Scout helps you get it back.
Myth 7: “I have to talk to references myself to hear their voice and ensure they are genuine”
We get it, when you’ve built your agency from the ground up, it’s hard to imagine anyone else handling something as important as a reference call. But if you’ve ever had a team member take a reference, you’ve already delegated. The difference with Scout is that this is all we do. Our team is deeply trained, consistent, and focused solely on collecting high-quality references that meet the standards of even the most hands-on agency owner.
I know letting someone into your business feels vulnerable. Agencies are personal, we’ve built them from the ground up and protected them like our own children. But the Winbloods and I started Scout because we know what it feels like to be overwhelmed. We know how important it is to make great hires, maintain quality, and still try to grow.
Scout is here to support you—with care, professionalism, and a whole lot of heart. Not a robot in sight.
With gratitude,
Lindsay Rose
Co-Founder, Scout Reference
www.scoutreference.com | info@scoutreference.com
This blog is sponsored by Scout Reference as part of their APNA Sponsor Membership. APNA does not endorse, certify, or guarantee the quality or services of any businesses or agencies mentioned or shared. The information provided is for informational purposes only. We encourage all recipients to conduct their own thorough vetting and research before engaging with any business or service. The views expressed in sponsored posts do not necessarily reflect APNA’s official recommendations. Please consult with a qualified attorney regarding any legal concerns.