Career growth rarely follows a straight path. New responsibilities, unexpected opportunities, difficult lessons, and the people you meet along the way can all shape how you develop as a leader.
During Women in RTO Present: A Journey of Growth at RTO World 2026, women leaders from across the rent-to-own (RTO) industry discussed how their careers have evolved and what they have learned about confidence, mentorship, authenticity, and developing others. The third annual Women’s Forum also gave attendees time for small-group conversations about their own professional growth and leadership development.
The panel was moderated by Lauren Talicska, Vice President of Marketing and Communications at Arona Home Essentials, and featured Ashley Emerson, Chief Operating Officer of Premier Rental-Purchase and Vice President of Financial Resolution Services; Candice Hill, Director of Operations at Rental Concepts LLC dba RNR Tire Express; and Teresa French, CEO of Precision Appliance Leasing.
Women in RTO Leadership Grow in Different Ways
Talicska framed growth as a cycle rather than a direct path. Using a tree as a visual metaphor, she described strong roots as the knowledge and perspective that provide a foundation, the trunk as the confidence and discipline that sustain growth, and the leaves as the outward impact created through leadership, adaptation, and sharing knowledge with others.
That framework reflected the panelists’ own experiences. Hill said one lesson she wished she had learned earlier was to be herself. Early in her career, she spent time trying to emulate a leader she admired rather than identifying the strengths and leadership style she could bring to the organization herself.
French described a different challenge: feeling that she continually needed to prove she belonged in leadership. Eventually, she realized that the people who placed her in those positions already saw potential in her.
“Trust your champions, trust the people that made the decision to put you in that position because they saw something in you that you did not see in yourself,” French said.
Pair Leadership Strengths With Self-Awareness
Growth also requires leaders to understand how their strengths can affect the people around them.
Emerson described compassion and empathy as important parts of her leadership style, but she learned those qualities need boundaries and accountability. Earlier in her career, she sometimes took on their work rather than holding team members responsible. Over time, she learned that she could remain supportive while maintaining clear expectations.
Hill connected self-awareness with continually examining how a leader communicates and responds to others. Recognizing recurring patterns, she said, gives leaders an opportunity to work on themselves and become better for their teams. Emerson similarly described self-awareness as being willing to acknowledge both strengths and weaknesses.
Give Others Room to Grow
Mentorship emerged as another important part of the journey.
French described influential mentors as people who do more than teach someone how to perform a job. They provide opportunities, demonstrate confidence in someone’s abilities, and leave enough room for that person to learn independently.
“I think good mentors do not give you all the answers,” French said. “They allow you to fail and go figure it out.”
Emerson described a similar shift as her responsibilities increased. She once believed that doing something correctly meant doing it herself. Taking on broader leadership responsibilities required her to delegate, trust her team, and invest in others rather than carry every responsibility herself.
That transition also changed how she viewed her role. Five years earlier, Emerson said, she was learning the business. Today, part of her responsibility is helping shape its direction while bringing other people forward with her.
Turn Personal Growth Into Shared Growth
The panel discussion eventually moved from individual experiences to conversations throughout the room. Attendees discussed delegation, communication, confidence, accountability, mentorship, work-life boundaries, and the importance of continuing to learn.
Those conversations reinforced the broader idea behind the Women’s Forum: growth does not end when someone reaches a leadership position. Leaders continue learning about themselves, adapting to new responsibilities, seeking guidance, and creating opportunities for others.
For women in rent-to-own leadership, the session offered several paths forward without suggesting that every career must follow the same route. Develop your own leadership voice. Learn from people who challenge and support you. Recognize where you still need to grow. And, as your own career progresses, create space for the people coming behind you.
APRO members can watch the full Women in RTO Present: A Journey of Growth replay for the complete panel discussion and additional leadership perspectives from RTO World 2026.
About Arona Home Essentials
Arona Home Essentials is a national rent-to-own dealer with more than 50 locations across the United States. The company offers furniture, electronics, appliances, tires, and other home essentials through flexible weekly, biweekly, and monthly rental-payment options. Arona Home Essentials has been an APRO member since 2004.
About Rental Concepts LLC dba RNR Tire Express
Rental Concepts LLC dba RNR Tire Express is a rent-to-own tire and wheel dealer and RNR Tire Express franchisee. Founded in 2005, the company operates RNR Tire Express locations across multiple states, offering tires, custom wheels, alignments, and related automotive services through flexible payment options. Rental Concepts LLC dba RNR Tire Express has been an APRO member since 2006.
About Premier Rental-Purchase
Premier Rental-Purchase is a national rent-to-own franchisor with independently owned and operated locations serving communities across the United States. The company offers furniture, appliances, electronics, mattresses, and other home essentials through flexible rental-purchase options while providing its franchisees with the brand, systems, resources, and support to operate their businesses. Premier Rental-Purchase has been an APRO member since 2001.
