Do I have to be on Google already?

No. You do not need to be on Google or have a Google Business Profile before you start. Setting that up is one of the first things Own The Box Marketing handles for you.

• No profile yet: Own The Box Marketing creates and verifies your Google Business Profile from scratch.
• A profile you have never touched: Own The Box Marketing takes it on as a manager, cleans it up, and keeps it active while you stay the owner.
• A profile you already run: Own The Box Marketing works alongside you and optimizes it without locking you out.

The Google Business Profile is the money page for local search, so getting it created, verified, and active is where Own The Box Marketing starts. You keep ownership the whole time.