...including that the agency may not want to employ someone who is neither thin nor white.  

Honestly, I'm not a fan of agencies, for a variety of reasons including that many are quite sketchy, and I would instead suggest that you learn to screen -- it's really not that hard.  Do some searches on this board and others, and maybe try to get friendly with a more experienced provider who can help you

there are many in this biz who are also or were providers their rep is solid and by them representing you its instant cred. you are under her wing she will teach you how to advertise the most successful way and on which sites.
Teach you about board presence and the ins and outs of this biz hotels client emails and so on.
You wont feel so alone its someone to bounce things off of and its a smart match. There are many ladies well respected who come to mind and close to your area. Plus your screener does not need to be from your area.
Either way indie or agency I wish you well!

welcome to the erotic world hun!

Nicole

The problem is leaving.  Some gals have agencies who are mean spirited & not nice to deal with.  One gal claimed to have paid for her pictures but the agency keeps using them.
Or has her listed as available when she's not... then she doesn't show because she was never contacted so clients are pissed at NCNS.  
You need to inquire what the split is.  How good is their screening.  How many clients you are expected to see in a day.  Who pays for the room & is it deducted from the take.  

A local provider will more likely view you as competition & not be willing to mentor you.  There are providers here who will discuss things via private message, phone or email.  Clearly screening specifics should not be discussed in a public access forum.  LE & bad clients can read TER too!  It is good that you admit what you do not know.

I screen for several ladies...none in my area, because I feel it's best that way. Agencies take generally half of what you charge...a screener takes like 25 a call or a base rate of 2-400 a week. You still run your own business meaning you don't work when you don't want to, you don't see who you are not comfortable with, etc. whereas an agency views you as more of a liability of you don't break your back when they need you.  

If you have PM, you can message me and I will gladly take you through the process of screening or point you in the right direction. If not, feel free to email me at [email protected]

I don't charge for advice lol.

Feel free to PM me. I've been indy from the start and I do just fine (thanks in large part to the wonderful folks here on the newbie board)!

Most of them are out of the south. You can also look up agencies in big northeast cities, Chicago, or LA that do Incall. You can fly in, work, then fly back home. Looking at agencies outside Ohio will expand the choices that you have. I have known one agency that was in the South, but had a provider who worked on the west coast.