Davis West (Top Tech) on Safe Tenting, Custom Projects, and the Future of Tent Rentals | The Fresh Rental

In this episode of The Fresh Rental, the hosts sit down with Davis West, Technical Solutions Manager at Top Tech, to talk about his 15-year journey in the tent and event rental world—from starting at 14 on a local crew that grew from one 40x80 pole tent into a four-location business, to joining Top Tech after a brief stint outside the industry. Davis explains what sets Top Tech apart through quality, customer support, and solution-focused service, and breaks down his new role handling technical issues, engineering, wind loads, freight damage troubleshooting, and managing a redesigned Nantucket product launch. They also discuss innovations like printed tops and powder-coated poles, the industry’s shift toward PPE and safer job sites, and Davis’s tent-focused podcast

Michael Larsen on Talent, Culture, and Building the Next Generation of Rental Leaders | The Fresh Rental

In this episode of The Fresh Rental, the hosts sit down with Michael Larsen, a second-generation rental operator from Australia and co-host of the Rental Journal podcast, to talk about how the rental industry is changing and why the next decade’s biggest advantage won’t be fleet—it will be talent, culture, and repeatable daily behaviors. Michael shares how his parents founded their power and HVAC-focused rental business in the early 2000s, how his original goal of becoming an international airline pilot shifted after graduating in 2020, and how the Australian Hire & Rental Industry Association’s Young Professionals program and the ARA Rental Exchange helped accelerate his path in the industry. The conversation covers his “rental is no joke” moments at industry trade shows, the four leadership archetypes he sees in high-performing rental teams, and the habits that compound into long-term growth. They also dig into common operational challenges—reliability, responsiveness, technical excellence, reputation, and consistency—along with the slow-killing behavior of indecision. Michael explains why the talent gap is both a visibility issue and a leadership development issue, emphasizing mentorship, purpose, and “talent gravity” as key to attracting and retaining young professionals. The episode closes with a practical discussion on shifting from transactions to customer experiences and a lightning round covering culture, branding, and what kind of guest should come next.

00:00 Welcome to The Fresh Rental + Meet Michael Larsen

01:15 Michael’s Origin Story: Growing Up in a Family Rental Business

02:15 From Pilot Dreams to Rental Leadership (Young Pros & Global Exposure)

03:58 “This Industry Is No Joke”: Trade Shows, ARA, and the People

05:13 The 4 Leadership Archetypes That Drive Rental Performance

06:37 Hiring & Team-Building: Small Daily Behaviors That Compound

07:26 The Problems Every Rental Company Faces (and Why Consistency Wins)

09:03 The Silent Killer: Indecision + Building Momentum to Scale

10:54 The 2030 Talent Gap: Visibility, Mentorship, and ‘Talent Gravity’

13:12 Is It a Talent Shortage or a Leadership Development Problem?

14:59 Mentorship That Matters: Finding Guides and Staying Connected

16:19 When Things Go Sideways: Culture, Mission, and ‘Special Forces’ Teams

18:56 From Transactions to Experiences: Becoming a True Project Partner

22:41 Advice for the Next Generation + Mistakes to Avoid

24:47 Lightning Round + Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up

In this episode of The Fresh Rental, hosts Ralph Shaw, Daniel Botero, and Jaime Gaez sit down with Carol Fontanez, General Manager of Rentals at Jamco and President of the American Rental Association Florida Chapter.

Carol shares her journey from growing within Jamco’s rental operation to leading one of the most active ARA chapters in the country. The conversation dives deep into what it takes to manage a large rental team, the importance of building community through the ARA, and her mission to open more doors for young professionals in the industry.

It’s an honest, insightful look into leadership, mentorship, and the future of rental — through the eyes of someone helping shape it.

🎧 About The Fresh Rental:
A podcast by and for the next generation of rental professionals — operators, dispatchers, managers, and owners — hosted by Ralph Shaw, Daniel Botero, and Jaime Gaez. Powered by Lizit.

The fresh rental. Ep 2. Ty Bolden. - All about events.

In this episode of The Fresh Rental, hosts Ralph Shaw, Daniel Botero, and Jaime Gaez sit down with Ty Bolden, General Manager at All About Events, to talk about leadership, growth, and the realities of running a fast-paced event rental business.Ty shares what he’s learned in his first year and a half leading one of Florida’s most active event rental operations, from managing chaos behind the scenes to building a team that thrives under pressure. Along the way, the conversation dives into the stories, lessons, and laughs that make this industry what it is.This episode captures what The Fresh Rental is all about: real conversations, real people, and fresh perspectives from the next generation of rental pros.🎧 About The Fresh Rental:A podcast by and for the next generation of rental professionals: operators, dispatchers, managers, and owners. Hosted by Ralph Shaw, Daniel Botero, and Jaime Gaez. Powered by Lizit and the YPN of Florida.

Welcome to the first episode of The Fresh Rental! 🎙️For this kickoff, the three hosts: Ralph Shaw, Daniel Botero, and Jaime Gaez, turn the mics on themselves. Ralph takes the hot seat as the very first guest, while Danny and Jaime step into the interviewer role. Together, they dive into Ralph’s journey in the rental industry, his role in the as GM, and the experiences that have shaped his perspective.This episode sets the tone for what The Fresh Rental is all about: real stories, sharp insights, and fresh perspectives from the next generation of rental pros.About The Fresh Rental:A podcast by and for the next generation of rental professionals: operators, dispatchers, managers, and owners. Hosted by Ralph Shaw, Daniel Botero, and Jaime Gaez. Powered by Lizit.