Opening a sober living home is a business.Get someone who has done it.
Most people who want to open a recovery home start with the heart for it and none of the paperwork. Zoning, Fair Housing, occupancy limits, a budget that survives an 80% month, referral relationships that actually send people — that is the part that decides whether the home is still open in a year.
Jessica Krohn of Integrity Sober Living Consulting works with aspiring and brand-new operators through a structured 5-phase program — from feasibility research to the systems that let you step back.
Who this is for
Still deciding
You are thinking about opening a home
You have the motivation and maybe a property in mind, but you do not yet know whether the numbers work, whether your city allows it, or what you are legally taking on. Phase 1 is built to answer exactly that — before you sign a lease.
Just started
You have opened and it is not running yet
Beds are empty, referrals are inconsistent, and you are doing every job yourself. Phases 3 through 5 cover introducing the home to the recovery community, building referral channels, and installing the systems that let the house run without you in it.
Meet your consultant
Jessica Krohn
Jessica founded Integrity Sober Living Consulting, LLC to help aspiring operators build sober living homes that are ethical, compliant, and financially sustainable. She walks clients through each phase of the launch — researching zoning laws and building a financial model, setting up the legal structure, furnishing the home, developing referral relationships, and implementing the operational systems that keep the business running.
Her advisory work covers sober living operations, business development, compliance guidance, finance, document review, research, and operational strategy — delivered through weekly 1:1 sessions, calls, and document preparation.
“A woman in recovery helping passionate business entrepreneurs open ethical sober and recovery homes that are profitable. I have been able to take the headache and confusion out of this industry and give you a blueprint and path to quicker success and happier clients.”
Integrity
Every recommendation is grounded in honesty, transparency, and ethical practice.
Compassion
Building homes that prioritize resident well-being alongside business sustainability.
Experience
Firsthand knowledge of operations, compliance, financial modeling, and referral development.
Results
A stable, ethical, and profitable operation, with measurable outcomes at every phase.
New Operator Training Program
The 5-phase launch framework
A structured 6–12 week program that takes you from concept to a fully operational sober living home. Each phase has an objective and finishes with something concrete in hand.
Phase 1
Foundation
Research, Finances & Investment
Objective: Determine feasibility and create a financial model before committing to a property.
- Research zoning laws and Fair Housing compliance in your chosen city
- Confirm occupancy limits and local ordinances
- Create a detailed startup budget including deposit, furnishings, insurance, and marketing
- Build a monthly operating budget including rent, utilities, payroll, and supplies
- Calculate breakeven occupancy and profit projections at 80% and 100% capacity
Phase 2
Infrastructure
Professional Setup
Objective: Establish legal structure and backend systems before opening.
- Implement intake paperwork, resident agreements, and house rules
- Secure liability insurance and establish LLC and banking
- Hire accountant or bookkeeper
- Source affordable drug testing provider
- Interview and hire qualified house manager
- Develop basic website and Google business presence
Phase 3
House Setup
Community Introduction
Objective: Prepare the property and introduce the home to the recovery community.
- Furnish property with beds, storage, safety equipment, and supplies
- Stage and professionally photograph the home
- Host open house for outpatient programs and referral partners
- Position home as collaborative and professional
Phase 4
Business Development
Client Flow
Objective: Develop consistent referral channels and track occupancy metrics.
- Build relationships with outpatient and treatment centers
- Apply for Recovery Bridge Housing and state funded programs if eligible
- Track referral sources and conversion rates
- Optimize website and online visibility
Phase 5
Systems, Policies & Automation
Operational Structure
Objective: Create stability, profitability, and operational structure.
- Install SOPs and manager training manual
- Create weekly reporting systems
- Track occupancy, incidents, and finances monthly
- Automate operations so owner focuses on growth
What the engagement covers
Operations Guidance
Navigate the day-to-day realities of running a sober living home — from house rules and resident agreements to manager training and incident reporting.
Compliance & Legal Setup
Understand zoning laws, Fair Housing compliance, LLC formation, insurance requirements, and the regulatory landscape in your city.
Financial Modeling
Build a realistic startup budget, monthly operating budget, and profit projections so you know exactly what to expect before you commit.
Business Development
Develop referral relationships with outpatient programs and treatment centers. Apply for Recovery Bridge Housing and state-funded programs where eligible.
Systems & Automation
Install SOPs, reporting systems, and manager training manuals that allow your business to run efficiently and scale over time.
Strategic Planning
Weekly 1:1 sessions to review progress, troubleshoot challenges, and make informed decisions at every stage of your launch.
How the engagement works
- An initial consultation call to start, then a monthly retainer. The initial consultation carries a fee, payable before the first call — her site has current pricing.
- The first month includes weekly one-hour 1:1 calls, homework, research, and text and call support.
- You finish the first month with a business plan tailored to your operation.
- After that, the plan is sized to the number of support hours you actually need.
- Clients can cancel anytime.
What stays yours
Consulting is advisory. Being clear about the boundary is part of what makes it work:
- All final business decisions are yours.
- Implementation and day-to-day execution are yours.
- Legal, tax, and accounting advice should be obtained independently.
- Insurance and other professional advice, likewise.
Get in touch
Integrity Sober Living Consulting, LLC
Building strong foundations for long-term recovery and success. Reach out to Jessica to schedule an initial consultation.
- Consultant
- Jessica Krohn, Owner
- Phone
- (805) 573-1226
- Mailing address
- 1534 North Moorpark Rd, Unit #188
Thousand Oaks, California 91360
Common questions
What does a sober living consultant actually do?
A sober living consultant guides a new operator through the parts of opening a recovery home that are easy to get wrong: zoning and Fair Housing research, choosing a legal structure, building a realistic budget, setting up intake paperwork and house rules, hiring a house manager, and developing referral relationships with treatment providers. Integrity Sober Living Consulting delivers this as a structured 5-phase program with weekly 1:1 sessions rather than one-off advice.
How long does it take to open a sober living home with a consultant?
Integrity Sober Living Consulting runs its New Operator Training Program over 6 to 12 weeks, from concept through to a fully operational home. The range reflects how quickly you secure a property and complete local zoning and licensing steps, which vary by city.
How does the consulting engagement work?
It begins with an initial consultation call, followed by a monthly retainer. The initial consultation is a paid engagement — the fee is due before the first call — so it is not a free discovery call; current pricing is on her site. The first month includes weekly one-hour 1:1 calls, homework, research, text and call support, and a tailored business plan. After the first month the plan is adjusted to the number of support hours you need. Clients can cancel anytime.
Do I still need my own attorney and accountant?
Yes. Consulting covers business strategy, operations, and compliance guidance — it is not a substitute for legal, tax, accounting, or insurance advice, which you should obtain independently. Final business decisions and day-to-day implementation remain yours.
Is a consultant worth it if I am only thinking about opening a home?
The first phase of the program is specifically about feasibility: researching zoning, confirming occupancy limits, and building a financial model with breakeven occupancy before you commit to a property. That work is designed to tell you whether to proceed at all, which is most useful before you have signed a lease.
Once the doors open
Phase 5 is where software takes over
The last phase of the program is about systems — SOPs, weekly reporting, and tracking occupancy, incidents, and finances so the business runs without the owner in every room. That is what Sober Friend is for: resident tracking, compliance, rent collection, and a directory listing that brings referrals in.