Rent-to-Own

At RENT-2-OWN success, advocacy go hand in hand

It happened a week later than usual. But the number was 25 percent greater than what the boss, Mike Tissot, expected. And when he’s surprised, you know that’s a big number.

For the past several years, Bainbridge, Ohio-based Countryside Rentals’ RENT-2-OWN stores have selected a week in December during which a percentage of deliveries or growth in potential rent has been given to charitable causes.

This year, Tissot’s pledge was that 25 percent of the potential rent gain during the week leading right up to Christmas would be spread among four organizations important to him and the company.

“This is a very healthy donation to four of the best places I can think of that do some great work,” said Countryside President Michael Tissot.

What no one could have predicted was a week that turned out to be not only the most profitable in RENT-2-OWN history, but one that also resulted in the  company’s largest ever charitable commitment.

Receiving organizations include:

1) SATH—Kamp Dovetail

"Supplementary Assistance to the Handicapped.  A great camp for developmentally disabled kids, at which many of our employees have volunteered over the past few years," Tissot said.

2) Butler Springs Christian Youth Camp

"They change lives there all summer long. Many employees sent their kids there last year, and many will do it this coming year.  What a safe and awesome place to draw nearer.  They too, are in need of support to help keep their mission alive."

3) St. Judes

"The world’s leading children’s research hospital. They are literally curing cancer. No one pays to go there, and medical research is not cheap."

4) Shriner’s Children’s Hospitals

"Children with orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate are eligible for care and receive all services in a family-centered environment, regardless of the patients’ ability to pay. This organization has also had a direct impact on the lives of some of our team members.”

Each of the 28 R2O store managers was asked to select one of these groups as the recipient of the cash equivalent of a quarter of their store’s potential rent gain.

It happened a week later than usual. But the number was 25 percent greater than what the boss, Mike Tissot, expected. And when he’s surprised, you know that’s a big number.

For the past several years, Bainbridge, Ohio-based Countryside Rentals’ RENT-2-OWN stores have selected a week in December during which a percentage of deliveries or growth in potential rent has been given to charitable causes.

This year, Tissot’s pledge was that 25 percent of the potential rent gain during the week leading right up to Christmas would be spread among four organizations important to him and the company.

“This is a very healthy donation to four of the best places I can think of that do some great work,” said Countryside President Michael Tissot.

What no one could have predicted was a week that turned out to be not only the most profitable in RENT-2-OWN history, but one that also resulted in the  company’s largest ever charitable commitment.

Receiving organizations include:

1) SATH—Kamp Dovetail

"Supplementary Assistance to the Handicapped.  A great camp for developmentally disabled kids, at which many of our employees have volunteered over the past few years," Tissot said.

2) Butler Springs Christian Youth Camp

"They change lives there all summer long. Many employees sent their kids there last year, and many will do it this coming year.  What a safe and awesome place to draw nearer.  They too, are in need of support to help keep their mission alive."

3) St. Judes

"The world’s leading children’s research hospital. They are literally curing cancer. No one pays to go there, and medical research is not cheap."

4) Shriner’s Children’s Hospitals

"Children with orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate are eligible for care and receive all services in a family-centered environment, regardless of the patients’ ability to pay. This organization has also had a direct impact on the lives of some of our team members.”

Each of the 28 r2o store managers was asked to select one of these groups as the recipient of the cash equivalent of a quarter of their store’s potential rent gain.

Colortyme, America’s oldest franchisor of independently owned-and-operated rent-to-own stores, announced the appointment of Cathy Skula to president and CEO, effective January 1, 2012.

Reporting to Rent-A-Center President and Chief Operating Officer Mitch Fadel, Skula succeeds Bob Bloom who left Colortyme in October of this year. "Cathy brings a wealth of experience to a very important position," said Fadel. "We’re excited about her new role."

Most recently, Skula was division vice president at Rent-A-Center (NASDAQ: RCII), the world’s largest rent-to-own operator, of which Colortyme is an independent, wholly owned subsidiary.

Skula’s career with Rent-A-Center dates to 1994 when she accepted a position at a New Jersey store. She quickly advanced through the ranks, being named district manager and regional director before being promoted to division vice president in 2009.

Earning a Bachelor’s Degree from Dickinson College in Pennsylvania, Skula also spent a semester studying abroad at the Mendeleev University in Moscow, Russia. She resides in Frisco, Texas with her husband and their 12-year-old twins.

"I’m thrilled at the prospect of spearheading Colortyme’s growth," said Skula, who stressed the importance of franchisee and coworker input. "Operational feedback is key to Colortyme’s continued success."

Colortyme CEO, Cathy Skula

Rent-A-Center today announced its support of eight Army garrisons. The aid came in the form of furniture, electronics, computers and appliances.

Valued at $200,000, the Rent-A-Center-supplied merchandise was delivered in coordination with the Army’s Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Command. It builds on an initiative launched in 2010 through the office of the Secretary of the Army.

Reflecting a cross section of the United States, the eight garrisons are: Fort Riley, Kansas; Fort Polk, Louisiana; Fort Campbell, Kentucky; Fort Hood, Texas; Fort Bliss, Texas; Fort Sam Houston, Texas; Fort Meade, Maryland; and Fort Jackson, South Carolina.

A portion of the merchandise was earmarked for Soldier and Family Assistance Centers, which provide a variety of services to assist soldiers and their families with administrative and personal needs. Other key Army programs benefitted as well, including: the Army Community Services; Child, Youth and School Services; Survivor Outreach Services, Warriors in Transition Battalion Quarters, and Family Entertainment.

“Rent-A-Center has long held the military in high esteem and has supported a variety of military related organizations through the years,” said Mark Speese, chairman and CEO of Rent-A-Center. “Supporting the courageous young men and women in the Army has been an incredibly rewarding experience for our coworkers.”

In 2012 Rent-A-Center will expand its support of the military to include the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps.

 CoreLogic debuted a new credit report in November that incorporates data from sources that traditional credit scoring models have previously overlooked.

Rent-to-own payments will be included among the many non-traditional scoring instruments such as lease applications, mortgages with lenders that don’t report to the major credit bureaus and homes owned without any credit obligation, such as those paid for with cash or ones that were given as gifts.

The report is meant to provide the foundation for a new credit score the analytics products and services company will launch in partnership with FICO in 2012. CoreLogic says it developed the new score to help make credit available to those who might not have otherwise been granted it.  The CoreScore credit report is meant to allow individuals to be recognized for how they have managed their finances and for consumers to see a more complete picture of their payment histories to help them better manage their finances.

Premier Companies expect record attendance

Record attendance is expected for The Premier Companies 2012 National Convention January 9-11 at the Casa Marina Resort in Key West.

Attendees will have the option of participating in a Golf Tournament or Deep Sea Fishing adventure on Monday, the day of the opening evening reception. 

Premier franchisees, vendors and special guests are sure to enjoy the ocean view and swaying palm trees at the opening event, setting the stage for the Welcome Reception and the Convention.

Mark Gow, a nationally known motivational speaker, will address the audience during the General Session. Mark will share his ideas on how to help dealers better understand how to improve their stores performance through more effective leadership. Mark will also discuss what motivation really means and how to communicate in a way to make others more receptive to your ideas.

Tuesday evening always ends the day with a very memorable event! Larkin Mott, The Premier Companies Events Coordinator, has planned an unforgettable Sunset Cruise followed by a Beach Reception.  “I always like to surprise the Convention attendees with a fun and memorable evening. I’m sure this one will meet their expectations”, commented Larkin.

After a day of educational breakout sessions, the Awards Banquet will be held Wednesday evening to recognize the Top Performers within the Premier Family and to announce the 2011 Dealer of the Year Award.

“I really look forward to the Awards Banquet,"  said Trooper Earle, President & CEO of The Premier Companies. "That’s the real time of celebration for me. It is very rewarding seeing the success of our stores and to be able to congratulate the dealers in person.”

Questions regarding the Premier National Convention can be directed to John Darden at  JohnDarden@premierrents.com.

The national office of The Premier Companies is located in Williamsburg, Virginia.

Premier Brands consist of Premier Rental-Purchase, Premier Home Furnishings, Premier Wheel Workz, Premier Auto by Rent. All Premier stores are independently owned and operated. Visit Premier’s website at www.premierrents.net or call 800-2-Premier and ask for Trooper Earle.
 

Record attendance is expected for The Premier Companies 2012 National Convention January 9-11 at the Casa Marina Resort in Key West.

Attendees will have the option of participating in a Golf Tournament or Deep Sea Fishing adventure on Monday, the day of the opening evening reception. 

Premier franchisees, vendors and special guests are sure to enjoy the ocean view and swaying palm trees at the opening event, setting the stage for the Welcome Reception and the Convention.

Mark Gow, a nationally known motivational speaker, will address the audience during the General Session. Mark will share his ideas on how to help dealers better understand how to improve their stores performance through more effective leadership. Mark will also discuss what motivation really means and how to communicate in a way to make others more receptive to your ideas.

Tuesday evening always ends the day with a very memorable event! Larkin Mott, The Premier Companies Events Coordinator, has planned an unforgettable Sunset Cruise followed by a Beach Reception.  “I always like to surprise the Convention attendees with a fun and memorable evening. I’m sure this one will meet their expectations”, commented Larkin.

After a day of educational breakout sessions, the Awards Banquet will be held Wednesday evening to recognize the Top Performers within the Premier Family and to announce the 2011 Dealer of the Year Award.

“I really look forward to the Awards Banquet,"  said Trooper Earle, President & CEO of The Premier Companies. "That’s the real time of celebration for me. It is very rewarding seeing the success of our stores and to be able to congratulate the dealers in person.”

Questions regarding the Premier National Convention can be directed to John Darden at  JohnDarden@premierrents.com.

The national office of The Premier Companies is located in Williamsburg, Virginia.

Premier Brands consist of Premier Rental-Purchase, Premier Home Furnishings, Premier Wheel Workz, Premier Auto by Rent. All Premier stores are independently owned and operated. Visit Premier’s website at www.premierrents.net or call 800-2-Premier and ask for Trooper Earle.
 

Des Moines, Iowa-based Arona Corp. — an Aaron’s franchisee — recently made Inc. Magazine’s Top 5,000 fastest growing companies list for the fifth year in a row, clocking in at 1,925.

The company, with Mark Connelly as chief operating officer, earned the position based on brisk revenue growth over the past three-years of 134 percent and 2010 annual revenue of $42.3 million.

Arona is Aaron’s second largest franchisee and just opened its 39th store. The company also earned Inc. Magazine’s Top 5,000 distinction in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010.

If your company has recently earned a distinction you would like to share with the industry please contact Murlin Evans at mevans@rtohq.org.

Rent One’s "Fitnessgram" push featured in local news segment

Rent One’s Larry Carrico presents an Illinois student with a "Fitnessgram" achievement coin. Click to play video.

Rent One’s Larry Carrico is on a mission.

He’s out to give Illinois students the opportunity to improve their mental fitness by first improving their physical fitness. His efforts were recently featured on an Illinois news program.

The program, developed in Texas, is called Fitnessgram, and encourages student’s to do their personal best in the areas of aerobic capacity, body composition and muscular strength, endurance, and flexibility.

Rent One began funding implementation of the program in 2009 beginning with Mt. Vernon City Schools District 80 which serves around 1,200 school children. See story.

Since then company managers have helped bring the program to three additional schools including West Plains Elementary School, Summersville Grade School and Benton Elementary School.

Carrico was honored earlier this year with a special resolution by the Illinois State Board of Education for his help in initiating the health and fitness program.

Rent One’s Larry Carrico presents an Illinois student with a "Fitnessgram" achievement coin. Click to play video.

Rent One’s Larry Carrico is on a mission.

He’s out to give Illinois students the opportunity to improve their mental fitness, by first improving their physical fitness. His efforts were recently featured on an Illinois news program.

The program, developed in Texas, is called Fitnessgram, and encourages student’s to do their personal best in the areas of aerobic capacity, body composition and muscular strength, endurance, and flexibility.

Rent One began funding implementation of the program in 2009 beginning with Mt. Vernon City Schools District 80 which serves around 1,200 school children. See story.

Since then company managers have helped bring the program to three additional schools including West Plains Elementary School, Summersville Grade School and Benton Elementary School.

Carrico was honored earlier this year with a special resolution by the Illinois State Board of Education for his help in initiating the health and fitness program.