The RTO Show "Let's talk Rent to Own"
Ever wondered how a $8.5 billion industry keeps millions of Americans lounging in style? Step into "The RTO Show Podcast" – where the mysterious world of Rent to Own furniture finally spills its secrets! Your host Pete Shau isn't just any industry veteran – he's spent 20 years in the trenches, collecting the kind of stories that'll make you laugh, gasp, and maybe even rethink everything you knew about that couch you're sitting on. From wild customer tales to industry shake-ups that'll knock your rented socks off, Pete brings the seemingly mundane world of furniture financing to vibrant life. Warning: This isn't your typical business podcast – expect real talk, unexpected laughs, and "aha!" moments that'll have you looking at every lease agreement in a whole new light. Whether you're an RTO pro who knows your depreciation schedules by heart, or you're just curious about how that fancy sectional ended up in your living room, Pete's got the inside scoop you never knew you needed. Tune in and discover why the furniture business is anything but boring!
Episodes
Want customers to stop scrolling and start walking into your store? We sat down with Stephen Stough of EssToo Creative, a veteran-turned-creative director who blends military-grade problem solving with story-led marketing that actually moves the needle for rent-to-own. From the origin of EssToo to the infamous “two guys in a bed” hook, we break down what makes a promo memorable, how to match concepts to real store tal...
A legend in rent-to-own doesn’t happen by accident. John Blair takes us from a teenage crossroads to the Marines to the front lines of building TRIB into a credible, member-led powerhouse. His story is packed with hard-won tactics and clear principles: keep it simple, reward commitment, and use unity as leverage. We dive into the early days—17 members, tiny shows, skeptical vendors—and how committees, transparent prog...
A small team launched six stores in a month, refused bargain-bin products, and built a public company that outperformed the category—by betting everything on culture, quality, and customer dignity. Pete sits down with industry legend Wayland Russell to unpack how Rainbow Rentals rewired supply chains, pioneered bundled PCs with Dell, and turned account management into a customer success engine long before that term ex...
A handful of dealers pooled their leverage in 1983 and changed rent-to-own forever. That spark became TRIB, a buying group that now unites 198 member companies and negotiates real-world programs with the brands that power our showrooms. We sit down with executive director Dennis Shields to explore how the group won better warranties, moved policy start dates to first rental, and built distributor partnerships that kee...
What happens when a second-generation leader takes the mic and the wheel? We sit with Ace Rent to Own COO Ben Leach to unpack how a family legacy becomes a modern operating system built on people, service, and smart use of technology. Ben shares how growing up in the stores, spending a decade in software and high-growth environments, and returning with fresh eyes shaped his approach: empower employees, obsess over cli...
A family video store with 400 movies. A heavy VCR lugged home for the weekend. An $800 camcorder bought on a personal credit card so a loyal customer wouldn’t be let down. That’s where Dan Fisher’s rent-to-own story begins—and how a small experiment grew into a durable, customer-first brand with a culture people talk about.
We walk through the inflection points that define real growth: discovering APRO after ...
A customer says, “I’ll never own the laundromat,” and everything changes. That moment turned rent-to-own from a product on a shelf into a service with purpose for Shannon and Cynthia Baber Strunk—two industry legends who built, defended, and evolved RTO over four decades. We trace their path from Firestone showrooms to 50 stores, the hard lessons of a tire-and-wheel experiment, and the surprise breakthrough of early c...
A family credit line, a few sturdy appliances, and a belief that people deserve dignity—that’s where our conversation with Kathy Windsor begins. From Texas beginnings to a Missouri legacy, we trace how National TV Sales and Rental grew on discipline, low collections, and vendor trust rather than bank debt or shortcuts.
Kathy takes us inside the early days of rent-to-own when financing was scarce and selection...
A flip chart, a promise to a father, and a tiny Omaha storefront lit the fuse for a 24-store rent-to-own legacy grounded in dignity and service. We sit down with industry legend Lyn Leach to unpack how a consumer-first mindset—friendly collections, honest agreements, and real return options—can turn a risky startup into a reliable community anchor. From vacuum tubes and rooftop antennas to Atari consoles, VCRs, and mo...
Ready to turn views into visits? We sat down with Jeraud Norman of Jeraud Marketing to get brutally practical about what actually drives people into a rent‑to‑own store: short videos with real humans, clear invitations to try products in person, and simple tracking that proves ROI without fancy software. If you’ve been posting product photos and praying for reach, this conversation shows how to swap static for story a...
What if your business is worth less (or more) than you think—because buyers don’t pay for sentiment, they pay for cash flow? We sit down with CPA Mike Helton and senior tax manager Alicia Holloway from RG & Co. to decode the “big, beautiful bill,” revive your understanding of EBITDA and multiples, and lay out a simple, disciplined operating system for a cash‑intensive RTO model.
We get practical fast. You...
A shy new hire walks into rent-to-own, gets labeled “the mute girl,” and ends up becoming a trusted salesperson customers ask for by name. That arc—uneasy beginnings to confident service—is the heartbeat of our conversation with Angelica Felix Damas, and it’s a powerful look at how mentorship, product fluency, and creativity can rewrite what sales success looks like in RTO.
We get honest about hiring myths an...
When high-performing employees become leaders without proper training, everyone suffers – the promoted employee, their team, and ultimately the customer experience. Will Jackson, Team Development Director at RNR Tire Express, knows this reality firsthand, having made the painful transition from what he describes as a "toxic" leader to someone dedicated to helping others avoid the same pitfalls.
In t...
What separates successful business owners from those who struggle despite their technical expertise? John Preston tackles this question head-on in this eye-opening conversation with Pete Chow on the RTO Show, introducing his unconventional business guide "40 Flushes to Grow Your Business."
Preston shares a fundamental truth that many entrepreneurs aren't ready to hear: your skill level has surp...
What happens when a data analytics expert decides the rent-to-own industry deserves better software? You get Revo POS—a ground-breaking point-of-sale system that's completely reimagining how RTO businesses operate.
From the moment you experience Revo's interface, you know it's different. While traditional RTO software cobbles together multiple disconnected systems, Revo seamlessly integrates ev...
When Charles Smitherman accidentally booked the wrong hotel for a Nebraska meeting, he stumbled upon what would become one of the most celebrated RTO World venues in recent memory. Omaha surprised everyone with its vibrant downtown, beautiful riverfront, and perfect convention facilities—proving that sometimes the best discoveries happen by chance.
This year's event brought together over 700 industry pro...
What does it really take to succeed in the rent-to-own franchise world? Mitchell Lee, Senior Director of Franchise Sales at Buddy's Home Furnishings, pulls back the curtain on this profitable but often misunderstood business model.
The conversation begins with a candid look at current market conditions. "When you see trends in real estate, you typically see trends with franchising too," Mitchel...
Step into the heart of the rent-to-own industry as we broadcast live from RTO World 2025, surrounded by the energy and innovation of the biggest gathering in the sector. This episode brings together key industry leaders to discuss the transformative forces reshaping how rent-to-own businesses operate, advocate, and market themselves.
Michael Wall, Senior Director of Corporate Affairs at Aaron's, shares h...
What does it take to grow from a single tire store to a nationwide franchise with over 200 locations? For Adam Sutton, CEO of RNR Tire Express, the secret isn't complicated – it's about creating exceptional experiences for the people who matter most.
After returning to his family's business in 2017, Sutton brought fresh perspectives from his background in digital marketing and event technology....
The rent-to-own industry stands at a technological crossroads, and Atlog is blazing the trail with AI solutions custom-built for RTO businesses. In this revealing conversation, Shaun Karakkattu, Chief Operating Officer of Atlog, shares how their team is revolutionizing how rental dealers connect with customers through remarkably human-like AI voice agents.
Shaun explains how Atlog was born from recognizing a ...
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