The RTO Show: "Let's talk Rent to Own"

The RTO Show: "Let's talk Rent to Own"

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The RTO Show: "Let's talk Rent to Own" episodes

  • Black Friday Strategy, Family Legacy, and Customer Loyalty in Rent to Own with Ben Leach

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    What does it take to lead a second generation rent to own business while preparing for the future of digital retail, customer experience, and modern operations?

    In this episode of The RTO Show, host Peter Shau sits down with Ben Leach, COO of Ace Rent to Own, to talk about leadership, family legacy, Black Friday strategy, customer relationships, and the future of the rent to own industry. 

    Ben shares how growing up in the business shaped his leadership philosophy, why employee culture drives long term customer loyalty, and how Ace Rent to Own is adapting to online sales trends, digital agreements, and changing consumer behavior. From Black Friday promotions and operational strategy to customer care and community support, this episode offers practical insight for rent to own operators, store managers, and anyone interested in the future of the RTO industry. 

    What You’ll Learn:

    •  How second generation leaders are modernizing rent to own operations while protecting relationship based customer service 
    •  Why employee culture and work life balance directly impact customer retention and business growth 
    •  How online leads, digital agreements, and e-commerce expectations are changing the future of rent to own sales 
    •  The role Black Friday promotions and same as cash offers play in driving customer acquisition and long term loyalty 
    •  How rent to own businesses help customers navigate financial hardship through flexible payment options and real problem solving 

    Episode Highlights:

    • 02:48 – Ben Leach on carrying the Ace Rent to Own family legacy into the future
    • 07:19 – Why leaving the business for 10 years made him a stronger leader
    • 13:39 – The powerful “RTO family” culture behind industry events like RTO World
    • 16:08 – The biggest misconceptions consumers still have about rent to own
    • 22:09 – Why customer relationships remain the most important part of the business
    • 30:02 – How online shopping and digital agreements changed the rent to own customer journey
    • 38:39 – Ace Rent to Own’s Black Friday strategy and the psychology behind value driven promotions
    • 44:27 – How Ace supports local communities during the holiday season
    • 56:39 – The leadership advice Ben Leach still carries from his father and grandfather

    Meet the Guest:

    Ben Leach is the COO of Ace Rent to Own in Nebraska and represents the next generation of leadership in the rent to own industry. After spending more than a decade working in the software and technology space, Ben returned to the family business to help modernize operations, improve customer experience, and continue the relationship driven culture built by his father, industry veteran Len Leach. 

    Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned:

    •  Relationship based rent to own customer service 
    •  Employee first leadership philosophy 
    •  Digital agreements and online lead management 
    •  Black Friday same as cash promotional strategy 
    •  Community support and customer assistance programs 
    •  Data driven store performance tracking 
    •  Management training and leadership development systems 
    •  Customer retention through flexible payment solutions 

    Closing Insight:

    The future of rent to own will belong to companies that combine technology, operational excellence, and genuine customer relationships. Ben Leach shares a clear vision for how modern RTO businesses can grow while still keeping people at the center of the experience.

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    1 hr
  • How Dan Fisher Built One of the Best Cultures in Rent to Own

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    How does a small video rental store evolve into one of the most respected rent to own companies in the industry?

    In this special RTO Legend Series episode, Peter Shau sits down with Dan Fisher, President of APRO and leader of Magic Rent to Own, to explore the real history of the rent to own business, leadership development, customer advocacy, and the cultural evolution of the RTO industry. 

    Dan shares the origin story behind Magic Rent to Own, how family values shaped the company’s growth, and why leadership training, employee culture, and customer relationships became the foundation for long term success. This conversation also dives into rent to own advocacy, flexible payment solutions, industry misconceptions, and how operators can build businesses that truly serve their communities. 

    What You’ll Learn:

    •  How Dan Fisher turned a small video rental operation into a multi store rent to own business with a nationally recognized culture 
    •  Why leadership development and strategic planning became critical during rapid company growth 
    •  The truth about rent to own flexibility, customer options, and lifetime reinstatement programs 
    •  How APRO and industry advocacy help protect consumer access and educate lawmakers about the RTO business model 
    •  Why the best rent to own companies focus on employee culture, customer respect, and long term community relationships 

    Episode Highlights:

    • 04:38 – The surprising origin story behind Magic Rent to Own and the first VCR rental program
    • 07:19 – How camcorders, TVs, and appliances helped grow the early business
    • 13:20 – The challenges of scaling from four stores to thirteen locations
    • 16:26 – The leadership breakthrough that changed Magic’s company culture forever
    • 19:09 – Dan Fisher on mentorship, APRO leadership, and learning from industry legends
    • 22:09 – Why legislative advocacy matters for the future of rent to own
    • 31:10 – The misconceptions lawmakers and media still have about the RTO industry
    • 36:53 – What Dan Fisher wants people to remember about Magic Rent to Own and the RTO industry

    Meet the Guest:

    Dan Fisher is the President of the APRO Board and the leader behind Magic Rent to Own, a Pennsylvania based rent to own company recognized multiple years in a row as one of the best places to work in the state. He is known throughout the RTO industry for his focus on leadership development, employee culture, advocacy, and customer centered business practices. 

    Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned:

    •  Leadership development and strategic planning systems 
    •  Rent to own customer advocacy and legislative outreach 
    •  Lifetime reinstatement programs 
    •  Flexible payment option models 
    •  Customer relationship and retention strategies 
    •  Employee culture and family first leadership philosophy 
    •  Rent to own operational growth strategies 
    •  Industry collaboration through APRO and TRIB 

    Closing Insight:

    The future of rent to own depends on companies that continue to serve customers with flexibility, dignity, and real human connection. Dan Fisher’s story is a reminder that the strongest businesses are built through leadership, advocacy, and a commitment to helping people create better lives.

    Support the show

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    47 min
  • From Small Markets To 50 Stores: How Shannon & Cynthia Strunk Shaped RTO

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    What does it take to help shape the modern rent to own industry for more than four decades?

    In this special RTO Legend Series episode, Peter Shau sits down with Shannon and Cynthia Baber-Strunk to discuss the evolution of rent to own, customer advocacy, leadership, legislative action, and the real stories behind APRO’s early fight to protect the industry. 

    From building Baber’s into a successful multi store operation to helping establish rent to own legislation in Mississippi, Shannon and Cynthia share firsthand insights into how the RTO industry survived government scrutiny, earned customer trust, and created opportunities for underserved communities. This conversation explores rent to own compliance, consumer flexibility, business growth strategies, and why advocacy still matters today. 

    What You’ll Learn:

    •  How Shannon and Cynthia Baber-Strunk helped shape the rent to own industry through APRO leadership and state advocacy 
    •  Why customer service and employee culture became the foundation of Baber’s long term success 
    •  The real reason rent to own provides value for customers who need flexible ownership options 
    •  How the industry responded to legal pressure and changing state regulations in the 1990s 
    •  What today’s operators need to understand about leadership, compliance, and protecting the future of rent to own 

    Episode Highlights:

    • 03:47 – The customer interaction that completely changed Shannon Strunk’s understanding of rent to own
    • 05:17 – How the Baber family entered the rent to own business during an economic downturn
    • 11:20 – Why negative misconceptions about rent to own pushed Shannon into advocacy
    • 13:14 – The impact Ed Wynn had on APRO leadership and legal education
    • 15:14 – Why cell phones became one of the industry’s biggest early product opportunities
    • 19:28 – The government pressure that almost threatened the future of rent to own
    • 28:14 – How Mississippi became one of the first states with rent to own legislation
    • 34:15 – The future risks and opportunities facing the rent to own industry today

    Meet the Guests:

    Shannon and Cynthia Baber-Strunk are longtime leaders in the rent to own industry, former APRO Presidents, and recipients of the APRO Lifetime Achievement Award. Together, they helped grow Baber’s into a successful multi location operation, played a major role in rent to own legislative advocacy, and continue to influence the industry through leadership, mentorship, and business development. 

    Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned:

    •  Rent to own legislative advocacy and APRO leadership 
    •  State level RTO law development and compliance education 
    •  Customer first leadership philosophy 
    •  Employee driven business culture strategies 
    •  Flexible ownership and payment option models 
    •  RTO expansion into underserved rural markets 
    •  Point of sale system evolution from posting cards to centralized software 
    •  R&R Tire franchise growth strategies 

    Closing Insight:

    The rent to own industry was built by operators who believed in serving customers, protecting access, and fighting for the future of their businesses. Shannon and Cynthia Baber-Strunk remind us that advocacy, leadership, and customer trust are still the foundation of long term success in RTO.

    Support the show

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    49 min
  • Building A Debt-Free Rent-To-Own Empire With Family, Grit, And Community with Kathy Windsor

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    What does it take to build a debt free rent to own company that lasts for nearly four decades?

    In this powerful RTO Legend Series episode, Kathy Windsor shares the real story behind National TV Sales & Rentals, the evolution of the rent to own industry, and the leadership principles that helped her family business survive economic shifts, warehouse fires, IRS battles, and changing consumer behavior. 

    Hosted by Peter Shau, this conversation explores rent to own operations, inventory management, customer relationships, vendor partnerships, and why community impact matters just as much as profit. Kathy also opens up about advocacy with APRO and TRIB, navigating a male dominated industry, and how the next generation of RTO leadership must adapt to changing employees, rising costs, and shifting customer needs. 

    What You’ll Learn:

    •  How National TV Sales & Rentals grew from a single Missouri store into a long standing family business 
    •  Why debt free growth and disciplined inventory management became the company’s competitive advantage 
    •  The leadership philosophy that helped the Windsors maintain exceptionally low collections and charge offs 
    •  How APRO advocacy protected the rent to own industry during major IRS and regulatory challenges 
    •  What future rent to own operators should understand about customer trust, employee culture, and economic change 

    Episode Highlights:

    • 03:15 – How Kathy and Mark Windsor opened their first rent to own business with limited capital
    • 06:34 – Why paying vendors on time helped build long term growth and supplier trust
    • 11:16 – The early days of rent to own paperwork, posting cards, and manual inventory systems
    • 14:12 – Why VCR rentals became one of the industry’s first major entertainment products
    • 16:44 – The devastating warehouse fire that nearly shut down the business
    • 19:10 – How APRO advocacy helped stop damaging IRS depreciation changes
    • 22:22 – The philosophy behind National TV’s famously low collections and charge offs
    • 34:08 – How Kathy Windsor became known as the “Queen of Furniture” in the rent to own industry

    Meet the Guest:

    Kathy Windsor is the CEO and owner of National TV Sales & Rentals, a longtime Missouri based rent to own company with deep roots in APRO and TRIB leadership. Over nearly 40 years in the industry, Kathy helped grow a family owned operation known for operational discipline, customer loyalty, charitable giving, and strong vendor relationships. 

    Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned:

    •  Debt free business growth strategy 
    •  Rent to own collections and risk management philosophy 
    •  APRO legislative advocacy and industry protection 
    •  TRIB furniture committee leadership 
    •  Vendor relationship and inventory financing strategies 
    •  Manual posting card systems and early RTO operations 
    •  VersaRent and RedWing operational software systems 
    •  Operation Fresh Start community outreach program 

    Closing Insight:

    Strong rent to own businesses are built on relationships, discipline, and consistency over time. Kathy Windsor’s story is a reminder that long term success comes from serving customers well, supporting employees, protecting the industry, and staying grounded through every stage of growth.

    Support the show

    Join The RTO Newsletter: https://bit.ly/RTOPODnewsletter

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    52 min
  • How A Family’s Grit Built A Consumer-First Rent-To-Own Company with Lyn Leach

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    What does it take to grow a single rent to own store into a 24 location operation while helping shape the future of the entire industry?

    In this powerful RTO Legends episode, Lyn Leach of Ace Rent to Own shares the story behind one of the most respected names in rent to own, from borrowing startup capital in 1982 to becoming an APRO president, industry advocate, and mentor to the next generation of operators. 

    Hosted by Peter Shau at RTO World 2025, this conversation explores the evolution of rental purchase, customer first collections, industry advocacy, vendor relationships, online rent to own challenges, and why relationship driven leadership still matters in modern retail. Lyn also explains how APRO helped shape rent to own legislation and why the future of the industry depends on transparency, innovation, and community trust. 

    What You’ll Learn:

    •  How Ace Rent to Own grew from one store in Omaha to a 24 location operation built on customer relationships and operational consistency 
    •  Why APRO advocacy and state level rent to own legislation became critical to protecting the rental purchase transaction 
    •  How rent to own businesses can improve customer retention through flexible collections, trust, and long term relationships 
    •  What today’s operators need to understand about online rent to own, digital lead generation, and modern consumer expectations 
    •  Why mentorship, community involvement, and employee culture still define successful rent to own companies 

    Episode Highlights:

    • 04:15 – How Lyn Leach launched Ace Rent to Own with borrowed money and a vision for the future
    • 07:57 – The relentless work ethic behind building a successful rent to own business in the early 1980s
    • 10:13 – Why rental purchase became the “new mom and pop retail” model
    • 19:49 – The struggle to earn trust and credit lines from major vendors in the early days of rent to own
    • 22:22 – The transition from manual ledger cards to computerized rent to own operations
    • 26:27 – How APRO helped operators navigate legal compliance and state legislation
    • 34:10 – The disappointment of federal rent to own legislation falling short despite years of advocacy
    • 45:41 – Why the future of rent to own depends on digital experiences, community events, and stronger customer engagement

    Meet the Guest:

    Lyn Leach is the founder of Ace Rent to Own and a longtime leader in the rent to own industry. Over more than four decades, he helped grow Ace into a multi location operation while serving as an APRO president, legislative advocate, mentor, and champion for customer focused rental purchase practices. 

    Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned:

    •  Customer first collections philosophy 
    •  Rental purchase business model development 
    •  APRO advocacy and federal legislation efforts 
    •  State rent to own legal compliance strategies 
    •  Loss and damage waiver implementation 
    •  Vendor relationship and credit line management 
    •  Online lead generation and digital rent to own strategy 
    •  Community driven retail events and experiential marketing 
    •  Better Business Bureau integrity and reputation management 

    Closing Insight:

    Lyn Leach’s story is a reminder that rent to own has always been about more than products. It is about helping families improve their quality of life, creating opportunity through access, and building businesses rooted in trust, consistency, and service.

    APRO
    Association of Professional Rental Organizations

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    58 min
  • Show Your Face, Adjust Your Sound, And Watch Store Traffic Climb

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    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 and clicks for customers.

    We start with the basics most teams skip: fix your audio with a cheap mic, add captions for silent scrollers, and use tight 20–30 second scripts so every second serves a purpose. Jeraud breaks down why personality beats polish, how jump cuts and angle changes keep attention, and why celebrating on‑time payers, deliveries, birthdays, and staff quirks builds trust faster than any discount. The goal isn’t viral; it’s familiar. When viewers walk in asking for the person from the video, closing gets easy.

    We also tackle the “pay to play” reality on Facebook and how even $1 a day to your followers can keep your content visible. Jeraud shares real‑world spend patterns around $300 per store and explains why many sales won’t show up as leads but appear as walk‑ins—if you’re asking every visitor how they found you. Tie a simple check‑box sheet to agreement numbers and review gross sales later to see true returns. To speed creative, we outline AI prompts that generate fresh scripts, hooks, and even fun perspectives like a $10 bill or delivery truck telling the story.

    If you sell what people sit on, touch, and test, your edge is your front door. Put faces on camera, invite folks to try the sofa, and make it easy for them to meet you by name. Want a jumpstart? Gerard offers a free 30‑second script: email [email protected], or book at fastRTOdeliveries.com. If this helped, subscribe, share it with your team, and leave a quick review so more local dealers can turn social views into steady foot traffic.

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    47 min
  • From Bonus Depreciation to Buyouts: How RG & Co. Navigate Taxes, Valuations, and Cash Flow in Rent-to-Own

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    What does the “Big Beautiful Bill” actually mean for rent to own businesses, tax planning, cash flow management, and long term profitability?

    In this deep dive episode of The RTO Show, Peter Shau sits down with Mike Helton and Alicia Holloway of RGCO CPA to break down the 2025 tax changes that every rent to own operator needs to understand before heading into Q4 and the 2026 tax season. 

    This episode explores bonus depreciation, EBITDA, business valuations, cash intensive retail operations, succession planning, and the financial realities behind running a successful rent to own company. Mike and Alicia also explain how modern RTO operators can prepare for industry shifts, improve financial visibility, and build long term business value in a changing economy. 

    What You’ll Learn:

    •  How the 2025 “Big Beautiful Bill” impacts rent to own taxes, bonus depreciation, and inventory financing 
    •  Why understanding EBITDA, cash flow, and balance sheet management is critical for RTO profitability 
    •  How business valuations work in the rent to own industry and what buyers are really looking for 
    •  Why online rent to own, AI tools, and digital operations are changing the future of RTO retail 
    •  How successful operators manage risk, customer retention, inventory growth, and long term exit strategies 

    Episode Highlights:

    • 04:52 – How Mike Helton first entered the rent to own industry through the Slatton family and Buddies Home Furnishings
    • 11:09 – Why customer relationships make rent to own different from traditional retail
    • 17:11 – Breaking down the 2025 Big Beautiful Bill and what it means for RTO operators
    • 20:02 – How bonus depreciation affects inventory purchases, tax planning, and cash flow
    • 30:20 – What drives rent to own business valuations and why EBITDA matters
    • 39:46 – Understanding risk, recurring revenue, and what buyers actually pay for in RTO acquisitions
    • 47:42 – Why rent to own businesses remain resilient during economic uncertainty
    • 01:07:46 – The biggest profitability trends, KPI benchmarks, and operational challenges facing RTO dealers today
    • 01:28:39 – The single best investment every rent to own owner can make in their business

    Meet the Guests:

    Mike Helton is a shareholder at RGCO CPA and one of the most respected accounting professionals in the rent to own industry. With more than 26 years at the firm, Mike specializes in RTO accounting, tax strategy, business valuations, succession planning, and financial advisory services. 

    Alicia Holloway is a Senior Tax Manager at RGCO CPA who works closely with rent to own operators on financial management, tax planning, and operational accounting strategies. She also plays an active role in the firm’s growing RTO advisory division. 

    Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned:

    •  Bonus depreciation tax strategy 
    •  EBITDA and free cash flow analysis 
    •  RTO business valuation methodology 
    •  Quality of earnings reporting 
    •  Balance sheet reconciliation processes 
    •  KPI tracking for rent to own operators 
    •  Succession and exit planning strategies 
    •  Online rent to own growth models 
    •  AI integration in retail and accounting operations 
    •  Cash flow forecasting for inventory intensive businesses 

    Closing Insight:

    The numbers behind a rent to own business tell a much bigger story than profit alone. This episode shows why successful operators pay attention to cash flow, inventory movement, customer relationships, and long term planning just as much as sales.

    Support the show

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    1 hr 42 min
  • How Introverted Employees Can Succeed in Rent to Own Sales with Angelica Felix-Damas

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    Can a quiet, introverted salesperson become a top performer in rent to own? 

    In this episode of The RTO Show, Peter Shau sits down with Angelica Felix-Damas to explore how empathy, creativity, product knowledge, and mentorship are reshaping the future of the rent to own industry. 

    Angelica shares her journey from being the “silent girl” at work to becoming a confident sales professional at Hometown Sales Lease. Together, they discuss leadership development, social media marketing for RTO businesses, AI tools, customer relationships, Hispanic community outreach, and how younger employees are bringing fresh energy into the industry. This conversation offers practical insights for rent to own operators, sales managers, and business owners looking to attract and train the next generation of talent. 

    What You’ll Learn:

    •  Why empathy and customer connection matter more than having an outgoing personality in sales 
    •  How mentorship and leadership training can help introverted employees thrive in rent to own 
    •  What younger generations expect from modern retail, digital marketing, and workplace culture 
    •  How AI tools, TikTok, Instagram, and creative social media content can help RTO stores connect with new customers 
    •  Why product knowledge, customer education, and community engagement drive long term success in rent to own sales 

    Episode Highlights:

    • 02:57 – Why traditional sales hiring may overlook quiet but highly capable employees
    • 05:04 – How Angelica helps educate Hispanic customers about how rent to own works
    • 09:20 – The role of smartphones, AI, and social media in the future of rent to own marketing
    • 12:09 – What managers should look for when hiring younger sales professionals
    • 16:07 – How persistence and mentorship helped Angelica succeed in the RTO industry
    • 20:02 – Why creativity is becoming one of the most important skills in rent to own retail
    • 27:16 – How product knowledge training builds confidence and improves customer trust
    • 35:57 – Using AI tools to summarize conference sessions, create presentations, and improve learning
    • 41:17 – Why funny, relatable social media content works better than traditional advertising for younger audiences

    Meet the Guest:

    Angelica Felix-Damas is a sales professional at Hometown Sales Lease in Arkansas City, Kansas. Known for her thoughtful customer approach and passion for mentorship, Angelica brings a fresh perspective on leadership, training, social media, and the future of the rent to own industry. 

    Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned:

    •  AI assisted note taking and learning tools 
    •  Social media marketing strategies for rent to own businesses 
    •  Product knowledge based selling 
    •  Customer relationship building through personalization 
    •  Leadership mentorship and training development 
    •  Creative retail storytelling and video marketing 
    •  Community outreach within Hispanic markets 
    •  RTO World and MRDA professional development training 

    Closing Insight:

    The future of rent to own may not belong only to the loudest voices in the room. Sometimes the people who listen closely, care deeply, and stay curious become the leaders who move the industry forward.

    Support the show

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    48 min
  • From Cleats to Clipboards: Building Effective Leaders in Rent-to-Own

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    What separates a great employee from a great leader in the rent to own industry?

    In this episode of The RTO Show, Peter Shau sits down with Will Jackson from R&R Tire Express to explore leadership development, feedback culture, employee growth, and the mindset shift required to move from top performer to effective leader. 

    From leadership training frameworks to team culture and emotional intelligence, this conversation dives deep into how RTO businesses can reduce turnover, improve customer relationships, and build stronger teams through intentional leadership. Will shares personal lessons about ego, mentorship, communication, and creating future leaders inside the rent to own industry. 

    What You’ll Learn:

    •  Why many high performing salespeople struggle when they become managers 
    •  How leadership training improves employee retention, team culture, and customer experience in rent to own 
    •  The role of feedback, emotional intelligence, and self awareness in becoming a better leader 
    •  How R&R Tire Express is developing future leaders before promotion opportunities appear 
    •  Why authenticity, communication, and relationship building matter in modern RTO leadership 

    Episode Highlights:

    • 03:56 – Why R&R Tire Express created a leadership development program for future managers
    • 09:36 – The difference between technical skills and people leadership
    • 10:40 – Will Jackson shares the painful feedback that changed his career and leadership mindset
    • 15:26 – The podcasts, books, and mentors that helped shape Will’s leadership philosophy
    • 24:43 – How “Cleats to Clipboards” became a leadership training framework for high performers
    • 28:41 – Why some great salespeople should never become managers
    • 35:56 – Overcoming fear of public speaking and learning how to communicate with confidence
    • 41:37 – “There are no bad teams, only bad leaders” and what that means for RTO operators
    • 01:10:34 – The real meaning behind “The F Word” and why feedback matters in leadership culture

    Meet the Guest:

    Will Jackson is the Team Development Director at R&R Tire Express, where he leads leadership development, training, and employee growth initiatives across the organization. Known for his engaging communication style and people first leadership philosophy, Will focuses on helping future leaders develop the skills needed to succeed inside and outside the workplace. 

    Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned:

    •  Cleats to Clipboards leadership framework 
    •  The F Word: Feedback training session 
    •  Situation Behavior Impact feedback model 
    •  Radical Candor leadership principles 
    •  Extreme Ownership leadership concepts 
    •  Ego Is the Enemy mindset strategies 
    •  Leadership pipeline and bench building systems 
    •  Relationship based customer service in rent to own 
    •  Authentic communication and public speaking development 

    Closing Insight:

    Strong leadership is not built through titles alone. It grows through feedback, humility, self awareness, and the willingness to help other people succeed.

    Support the show

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    1 hr 15 min
  • Why Most Business Owners Stay Stuck and How 40 Flushes Changes That | John Preston

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    What if growing your business had less to do with working harder and more to do with thinking differently?

    In this episode of The RTO Show, Peter Shau sits down with entrepreneur and author John Preston to unpack the ideas behind Grow Your Business in 40 Flushes, a business strategy book designed to help overwhelmed business owners improve profit, marketing, leadership, and decision making in just a few minutes a day. 

    From customer acquisition and branding to AI in small business and mindset for entrepreneurs, this conversation explores practical ways rent to own operators and business owners can build smarter systems, improve profitability, and avoid the common traps that keep businesses stuck. John also shares why most entrepreneurs focus too much on volume instead of profit and how simple business habits can completely change long term growth.

    What You’ll Learn:

    •  Why being good at your craft does not automatically make you good at running a business 
    •  The five business metrics that drive profitability, customer growth, and long term success 
    •  How rent to own operators can improve marketing strategy and customer retention 
    •  Why separating personal finances from business finances is critical for sustainable growth 
    •  How AI tools are changing entrepreneurship, workflow efficiency, and modern business operations 
    •  Why mindset, self doubt, and decision fatigue quietly hurt business performance 
    •  How to evaluate your business using data instead of emotion 

    Episode Highlights:

    • 03:54 – Why most entrepreneurs never learn how to actually run a business
    • 05:12 – The importance of wearing the “business owner” hat instead of only working in the business
    • 11:42 – Why profit matters more than customer volume in small business growth
    • 13:16 – The five key metrics that determine business profitability
    • 17:16 – How existing customers can become the fastest path to revenue growth
    • 24:37 – One business habit entrepreneurs can implement immediately to improve decision making
    • 29:57 – Why AI is becoming essential for modern business owners and entrepreneurs
    • 33:38 – The mindset struggles and self doubt most business owners never talk about
    • 41:13 – Why emotional decision making hurts marketing performance and business growth
    • 45:07 – John Preston’s three most important business lessons for entrepreneurs

    Meet the Guest:

    John Preston is an entrepreneur, business strategist, and author of Grow Your Business in 40 Flushes. Through his coaching platforms, sales training programs, and business education content, John helps entrepreneurs improve profitability, leadership, marketing, and operational decision making in practical and approachable ways. 

    Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned:

    •  The 40 Flushes business growth framework 
    •  Profit first business thinking 
    •  Lead generation and customer conversion metrics 
    •  Customer retention and repeat transaction strategies 
    •  Branding and perception based marketing 
    •  Market research through real world customer conversations 
    •  AI powered business workflow optimization 
    •  Data driven decision making for entrepreneurs 
    •  Sales objection handling systems 
    •  The Pareto Principle for business growth 

    Closing Insight:

    The businesses that grow the fastest are not always the ones working the hardest. They are the ones learning, adapting, and making intentional decisions every day.

    Support the show

    Join The RTO Newsletter: https://bit.ly/RTOPODnewsletter

    Subscribe on Apple: https://apple.co/4wpbUqF

    Subscribe on Spotify: https://bit.ly/RTOPODspotify

    Learn More About Sponsorship: https://bit.ly/RTOPODsponsor

    54 min

About The RTO Show: "Let's talk Rent to Own"

From the publisher's feed

The RTO Show Podcast is the podcast for the rent-to-own industry, hosted by Pete Shau, an industry insider with more than 20 years of experience in RTO operations, sales, leadership, marketing,…