★ PRESENTING SPONSORS ★

Premier Sponsor

Assosiation of Professional Rental Organizations

APRO elevates the rent-to-own industry through advocacy and education to better serve our members.

Vendor Sponsor

Wow Brands

Designed specifically for the rent to own industry with ecommerce and lead generation strategies.

Dealer Sponsor

RNR Tire Express

Get the best value on today’s top brand name tires and wheels.

Learning Leadership Bookclub (LLB)

This week's book recomendation - How to Win Friends and Influence People - by Dale Carnegie

Why I recommend this book: Categorized as "Self-Help & Human Relations," this book has become something of a blueprint for me. In a world where so much of leadership and success comes down to how well we manage people, work alongside them, and lift them up along with ourselves, this book offers a rare, clear understanding of how people think, experience the world, and, most importantly, how to truly connect with them. It has changed the way I show up for the people in my life, and I hope it does the same for you.

A word from the host

Every rent to own operator knows the math on the wall behind them, even if they've never written it down: your customer base is a leaky bucket. Some customers leave because they got what they needed. They finished furnishing the apartment, replaced the last appliance, and simply don't need us right now. Others age out of the model entirely, their life circumstances changing to the point where RTO isn't the right fit anymore. And some, honestly, pass on. That's the business we're in. Customers come, customers go, and no store stays full by standing still... Read More.

Latest Podcast Episode's

Verify First, Chase Less: How DataTrue Helps RTO Dealers Make Smarter Deals with Dan Jobrack

Dan Jobrack of DataTrue joins Pete Shau to break down how smart verification tools save rent-to-own dealers real money. They cover DataTrue's 19-year evolution from a simple verification system into 40+ products shaped by the RTO industry itself, how front-end checks eliminate about one in three skips, and tools like Pursue, SkipFind Plus, and Alert One that help dealers track down customers who've disappeared with merchandise. They also touch on DataTrue's move into the shed industry and its instant criminal background check for hiring. A practical, detail-rich conversation for anyone looking to verify smarter and chase less.

Listen to the episode

Watch on YouTube

Great Rent To Own Stores Are Built On Relationships - with Phil Hamer

Phil Hamer, Director of Operations at Buddy's Home Furnishings, joins Pete Shau to talk operations after 24 years in the business, starting as a driver and working his way up. They cover how mentorship and healthy competition shaped his career, why relationships still drive the business as it shifts from "rent-to-own" to "lease ownership," and how Gen Z's buying habits, need for recognition, and comfort with texting are reshaping sales and recruiting. Phil shares practical fixes for ghosted interviews, why store environment affects hiring, and how Buddy's is cautiously testing AI for reporting while keeping collections relationship-driven. He closes with his top leadership qualities, best career advice, and what he sees as the industry's biggest challenge ahead: standing out as a relationship business in a world of copycat payment plans.

Listen to the episode

Watch on YouTube

Special Images of the last 2 weeks

What an incredible day celebrating the Grand Opening of RNR Tire Express in Lima, OH! A huge shoutout to Keith Ferriman and his awesome crew for rolling out the red carpet and showing us just how amazing the culture is in this organization. Thank you for the hospitality!

RTO Industry news and higlights:

Upbound Group reports $13 million in losses due to data breach and fraud

Upbound Group just disclosed that hackers didn't need to breach anything sensitive to pull off a $13 million heist... Read More.

SC World.com - 7.23.2026

ApplianceRentals.com Announces Operational Expansion and Releases 2026 Data on the Hidden Costs of Household Appliance Management

Know as a premier provider of home appliance leasing, today announced the strategic expansion of its flat-rate rental services across its 15 active U.S. markets...Read More.

Finance Wire - 7.24.2026

RNR Ranks on 2026 Franchise Culture 100 List

Know as a premier provider of home appliance leasing, today announced the strategic expansion of its flat-rate rental services across its 15 active U.S. markets... Read More.

RTOHQ.org - 7.28.2026

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