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
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 ...
Why do some rent-to-own stores convert 30% of their customers to new agreements while others struggle to break 20%? The answer lies not in last-minute sales tactics but in the entire customer experience journey. In this eye-opening conversation, Pete Shau and Jason Winters dive deep into the real factors that determine whether customers stick around after completing their agreements.
The modern rental custome...
Post-pandemic realities have forever altered the customer journey in rent-to-own, demanding fresh approaches from industry veterans and newcomers alike. Pete Shau and Jason Winters unpack this transformation with refreshing candor, highlighting how the traditional in-store sales model has been overwhelmed by digital-first shopping habits.
Most striking is their revelation about traffic patterns: "We&apos...
A glass artist's son from Uruguay transforms into a rent-to-own industry leader—Leonard Alonso's journey captures the essence of entrepreneurial spirit and American opportunity.
At just 13 years old, Leonard was crafting glass Disney characters on Main Street after Walt Disney himself discovered his father's artistry at the 1965 World's Fair. This early training in craftsmanship and custom...
Finding new customers remains one of the biggest challenges for Rent-to-Own businesses. While many stores focus on reactivating inactive customers or working through paid-out lists, there's a powerful channel that's often overlooked: Facebook marketing.
Marketing expert Jeraud Norman joins host Pete Shau to reveal how Facebook's "interruption-based" marketing creates opportunities t...
What does it take to build a sustainable rental business that thrives for over four decades? Gary Ferman, who recently stepped back after 44 years at the helm of Showplace Rent-to-Own, shares the wisdom earned from growing a single location into a 15-store operation across multiple states.
Gary's journey began in 1982 during economic hardship with interest rates at 18.5%. With remarkable candor, he revea...
Have you ever wondered who's looking out for the rent-to-own industry in Washington DC? In this eye-opening conversation, host Pete Shau sits down with APRO CEO Charles Smitherman to pull back the curtain on LegCon, the annual legislative conference that forms the front line defense for the $12 billion rent-to-own industry.
Charles shares how this 31-year tradition continues to evolve, with attendance ...
Ed Wynn, the legendary legal architect behind rent-to-own's regulatory framework, shares his extraordinary four-decade journey protecting an industry that many lawmakers never fully understood. Fresh into retirement after serving as APRO's legal counsel since its inception, Wynn offers unprecedented insights into how a collection of rental dealers transformed into a sophisticated national organization.
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The journey from a small-time rental operation to transforming an entire industry doesn't happen by accident. Ken Butler, with nearly five decades of experience in rent-to-own, pulls back the curtain on how he helped grow Aaron's from a modest 12-store operation to over 2,000 locations nationwide.
Ken reveals the revolutionary thinking that changed how the entire industry operates. Moving from weekl...
Enjoy the world of quality rugs in the rent-to-own industry as Heath Perkins of Daylan Rug Company shares the remarkable journey of bringing fashion-forward floor coverings to a market once dominated by afterthought accessories.
When Daylan first approached the rent-to-own sector over a decade ago, they encountered a surprising reality: most stores were content with basic, low-quality rugs that did little to ...
This episode offers a fascinating exploration into the workings of the rent-to-own sector, featuring a conversation with Michael Kays, the Vice President of Rental Operations at Ashley Furniture. As a leading name in the industry for over 75 years, Ashley has enabled countless families to turn houses into homes, emphasizing not just consumer transactions but building lasting relationships. Michael discusses the import...
Step into the world of NAV-AIR, a transformative force in the rent-to-own streaming industry, as we explore their journey and innovative approach. This episode of the RTO Show features a dynamic discussion with the leadership team, highlighting their military backgrounds and how these experiences shape their mission to provide unparalleled service and build lasting relationships in the RTO community.
Discove...
Master the power of AI marketing strategies and transform your approach to connecting with local communities. Join me, Pete SHau, and my esteemed guest, Daniel Hajduk from Vox Populi, as we navigate the exciting intersection of AI and local business marketing, with a focus on the rent-to-own industry. Together, we promise to unravel how AI can break through traditional marketing barriers, allowing businesses to custom...
Mastering inventory management and optimizing your business operations with the power of AI. Join us as we engage with Daniel Hajduk from Vox Pop uli, who shares his hands-on experience in transforming apparel inventory management using AI. Learn how AI analyzes order patterns, anticipates trends, and optimizes stock levels to streamline processes and boost profitability. By harnessing historical data, businesses can ...
Revolutionize your customer growth strategy with AI and make your rent-to-own business stand out in a crowded market. Join me, Pete Shau, and special guest Daniel Hajduk from Vox-Pop-uli as we uncover how AI can transform traditional customer service approaches that often fall flat with repetitive patterns and high costs. We dive into the power of community-based activities and discuss how local events and industry tr...
Discover how to revolutionize your rent-to-own business using the cutting-edge power of AI! Join me, Pete Shau, along with AI expert Daniel Hajduk, as we guide you through the latest strategies to supercharge your sales efforts. This episode holds the key to mastering AI-driven sales scripts and overcoming customer objections, empowering even the most novice salespeople to thrive. Learn how AI tools like Synthesia and...
Unlock the potential of artificial intelligence in the retail and rent-to-own furniture industries with insights from our special guest, Daniel Hajduk from Vox Populi. Discover how industry leaders like Home Depot and Ikea are transforming customer experiences through AI innovations like weather-based inventory forecasting and room planning tools. Together, we explore how these advancements are not just enhancing effi...
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